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'My job is to keep runs to the minimum'

July 20, 2016 19:14 IST

'Test cricket is all about being consistent. Some people call it boring but you got to tie down on one end and hope that batsman makes mistakes.'

Stuart Binny

IMAGE: Stuart Binny plans to stick to his strength, ‘which is to swing the ball’, in the upcoming Test series against the West Indies. Photograph: Getty Images

Stuart Binny says if given a chance his job will entail bowling a tight line and length and spells that will help keep his Indian pace colleagues fresh in the Test series against the West Indies, starting at North Sound, Antigua, on Thursday.

The India all-rounder, who has taken three Test wickets, says he will try to assist his co-pacers by conceding few runs and concentrating on swing.

"My job is simple when it comes to bowling; it's about bowling good lengths and keeping the runs to the minimum. By doing that I need to bowl spells that keeps our fast bowlers fresh. I am also going to stick to my strength which is to swing the ball," he said.

Binny says he enjoys batting down the order and would like to continue his showing in first class cricket in the Test series.

"I enjoy batting at the tail as it is more of a challenge to bat at this position. It is the time in the Test match when the second new ball comes into play. It is a very crucial part which I am enjoying at the moment," he was quoted as saying in a video on bcci.tv.

IMAGE: Stuart Binny has played only six Tests since his debut against England in 2014. Photograph: Getty Images

Binny does not have much experience in the longer format, having played only six Tests since his debut against England in 2014, but the right-hand batsman has played 69 first class games.

“In most of my career in first class cricket I have come to bat at number 6 or 7. It is nothing new to me and will look to replicate what I have done earlier," the 32-year-old, who is on his maiden tour of the Caribbeans, said, adding the warm-up match helped him understand the wickets better.

"I got opportunity to play in the second warm-up game, which helped me understand the wicket and the conditions here. I didn't get many runs but it prepared me mentally on how to go out for the series.

"Test cricket is all about being consistent. Some people call it boring but you got to tie down on one end and hope that batsman makes mistakes as he struggles to get runs. Main objective in Test cricket is to bowl in one area."

Insisting he is fully fit and raring to bowl long spells in the upcoming Tests, he said, "I have worked on my fitness by spending a lot of hours in the gym and also running on the field. I have done a lot of work on my fitness to have good pace and to bowl for longer spells."

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