Plotting Sachin8217;s downfall is Great Australian Debate

ADELAIDE, DECEMBER 10: Australian bowlers are plotting how to get Sachin Tendulkar8217;s wicket when they resume their battle with him in the first Test. Tendulkar8217;s strengths and weaknesses were a matter of animated debate in the Australian dressing room as well as the media. Glenn McGrath has spoken about how he would keep it a little short and bouncing at the offstump, and Shane Warne threatened 8220;new things8221; he has in mind for the master batsman.

Other bowlers have plans of their own. Michael Kasprowicz and Damien Fleming are talking about backing their own ability, reminding themselves that he is not on the flat tracks of the sub continent. The Australians take heart from the fact that Tendulkar always plays his shots. 8220;His feet don8217;t move a lot, but it8217;s just his balance,8221; says Kasprowicz. 8220;His head is so still. But because he plays his shots, you like to think it8217;s going to be your day.8221;

The Aussies sometimes refer to Tendulkar as Damien Fleming8217;s bunny, but always with a grin. His outswingersknocked over the great man several times last year.Fleming thinks it8217;s hilarious. 8220;I8217;ve got him a couple of times, for 130 or 140! I will try and get him to hit me off the front foot through the offside but I don8217;t think there is any magic plan to get him out,8221; said Fleming.

McGrath talks of hitting an in-between length, denying him the drive, the pull or cut, forcing him to create something from nothing. Said McGrath: 8220;I think he8217;s Tendulkar mentally tougher than Brian Lara. He8217;s a guy we really respect. There8217;s a fear in bowling to him.8221;

Mark Waugh was assigned by coach John Buchanan to dissect Tendulkar8217;s game. He unearthed the following facts about the champion and his form:

Tendulkar, as a result of playing 37 One-Day Internationals this year against just seven Tests, has had trouble leaving balls alone outside off stump and was beaten about six times against Queensland facing balls he could have let go.

Two of Tendulkar8217;s three dismissals have been to edges from thehalf-drive, half-cut suggesting he may be still adjusting to the bouncy Australian wickets. Tendulkar has set bowling machines on the length during the tour.

Tendulkar has refused to employ the hook and has ignored all attempts to bait him with short balls. The Aussies are also taking heart from the fact that in 17 Tests against South Africa and Pakistan, he is averaging just 33. The South Africans persistently bowled outside the off stump to him and it worked to such an extent that even the medium-pace of Hansie Cronje got him out four times in Tests.