Geoff Marsh, the Pune coach, feels that a total of 150 plus is OK on the
Wankhede track.
"It looks like a very good wicket. We have to score at least 150 plus. But
we will have to see how it plays in the first six overs and then reassess
the target." said the former Aussie btasmen, whose son Stuart Marsh is
playing for Punjab.
Though Mumbai is a great side, hailed as the No 1 favourites to win IPL
2011, they are not unbeatable.
"In their last four games, counting last year's final, they have won two and
lost two. They are a very good side and have the advantage of retaining four
players. But they showed they could be beaten in the last game." the formidable
Aussie said.
He said he is ready to take on the redoubtable Sachin on his home ground.
"Every cricketer in the world wants to play against him.
"It would be a sad day when he's not playing. It would be good to remind
ourselves when he's not playing."
The former opener said that following Pune' loss to DDD in their previous outing,
Pune's aim was to not to commit small mistakes. "We had a chat after the game
and yesterday. While we scored 180 we could have rotated the strike and scored
210. We definitely have to get better all the time," he said.
Murali Karthik, the left arm spinner, who bowls occasional chinamans, said
"The typical Wankhede wicket had a slope. This one is flat. The bounce on
practice pitches is not the same as that of a typical Wankhede wicket. We'll
have to see how it plays,"he said. Karthik had done well at the Wankhede in
Tests.
Said the left armer, who also appears as a commentator on TVs. "It was a
different day, different game. That day was surreal. This Wankhede looks
like an amphitheater. I have done well here in Tests, ODIs and first-class
cricket. But this is T20 cricket and I have to bowl four overs and put each
ball on the spot."
The new entrants, Kochi and Pune had made IPL more interesting, triggering
off intense competition and fuelling more interest.
"We have got two new teams. Two new teams coming into fray has made it more
competitive. People have done their homework and managed to put up a good side.
The quality of international players as well as domestic we have is very good."
Geoff Marsh echoed the same sentiment. "Definitely, the way the point structure is
at the moment, all teams are equal. The auction has balanced things out."
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