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Sehwag should open in third Test: Kirsten
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January 14, 2008 13:08 IST

India's coach-designate Gary Kirsten has prepared a document for the team to counter the bouncy track at Perth where the conditions will be "mentally more demanding" for the batsmen.

"It takes a lot of courage to get into position on bouncy wicket to be successful. More than the technical it's the mental side and I am sure Indian batsmen are aware of it," said Kirsten as he faced his first press conference in India colours.

The former South African opener revealed that he has prepared a document for the Indian team where he has put down his experience of travelling to this part of the world.

"I have put together a document on touring Australia...it is how to go about doing it. There is a definite style of playing technically on bouncy wickets.

"At WACA, it's a very tough cricketing environment. There is never an easy game and it's mentally very demanding. But the Australians also say it's the best place to bat. One needs to brace the challenge and give everything you have got.

"I guess it's a case of looking at the glass that is half full and not half vacant," he said.

Kirsten believed that more than any other nation, Australia tests the character of a cricketer to the fullest.

"It's a mental battle. When you come to Australia you could be sure they would leave no stone unturned. It tests you as a person, yes you got to have skills but it you can go by skill only up to a point," Kirsten said.

"You need to have a strong character. In Australia, you are fully examined."

From what he has seen in a brief interaction with the Indian team, the visitors want to put the controversy of recent days behind and get on with the game.

"They are two cricket-mad countries, there is a lot of emotion flying around, lot of intensity. Whatever has happened in recent days has been sad.

"The game has changed so much in recent years. It's all about performance, all about winning and sometimes players step outside the line.

"Sometimes under pressure you can make wrong choices. However, it is brave to stand up and accept it. At the end of the day it's the players who can sort this issue out. They are the custodians of the game which is bigger than team, individuals," he said.

On India's choice of batsmen for the openers' slots, Kirsten said Virender Sehwag [Images] should open the innings while Rahul Dravid [Images] should go back to his reputed middle order position.

"I do feel there are specialist positions...Sehwag has just hit a big hundred and has the respect of the Australians. Rahul Dravid on the other hand has been hugely successful as a middle order batsman," Kirsten said.



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