Kasper lends a helping hand

Former Aussie paceman tells Lee Co secrets for success in India are patience and reverse swing.

Throughout his international career, Michael Kasprowicz saw himself being overshadowed by the likes Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie in an Aussie pace-bowling department bursting at the seams.

But on flat Indian tracks, a fast bowler8217;s nightmare, the burly Queenslander, armed with lethal reverse swing, outshone his more illustrious colleagues. Kasprowicz8217;s 19 wickets in eight matches might not be the most impressive sub-continent figure but it was his five-for in the Bangalore Test in 2004 that helped Australia conquer the 8216;final frontier8217;

Having hung his international boots earlier this year, Kasprowicz is now busy featuring in the Indian Cricket League ICL but is still taking some time out to follow his former teammates in action here.

8220;We have a good all-round pace-attack this time around. Lee, with his pace and excellent reverse swing is a deadly bowler on any wicket. Stuart Clark is the perfect replacement for McGrath and Johnson will provide more variety with his left-arm pace bowling,8221; says Kasprowicz, who will be representing Mumbai Champs in the second season of the ICL. He advises the Australians to be patient and rely on reverse swing if they are to make an impact on lifeless Indian wickets.

The lack of a quality spinner, he predicts, might hurt the Aussies, but no such worries for the all-rounder8217;s as Shane Watson is worthy replacement of Andrew Symonds. 8220;It is difficult to replace someone of Shane Warne8217;s stature,8221; admits the 36-year-old.

8220;As far as an all-rounder is considered, Shane Watson, I think, is the perfect man to fill up the void created by Symonds8217;s absence. I believe Roy may find it difficult to comeback into the squad if Watson plays to his potential during this series,8221; adds Kasprowicz, who made the most of one such opportunity. It was his first tour in February 1998, and 8216;Kasper8217; was an unknown face in an inexperienced Australian bowling line-up led by Paul Reiffel. But he soon found himself leading the attack, as Reiffel and new-boy Paul Wilson returned home with injury.

8220;It was a great opportunity that I was presented with, but it was a very difficult task at hand. Tendulkar was at his peak and smashing the bowlers to all-parts. And I was still getting used to the conditions and the noise of the crowds in India,8221; he fondly recollects.