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Woolmer rules out drastic changes
Pakistani coach Bob Woolmer on Monday claimed the series was evenly poised going into the 2nd Test after his team's great fightback at Mohali.
Pakistani coach Bob Woolmer on Monday ruled out any drastic change in his side for the second cricket Test against India and claimed that the series looked evenly poised after the great Mohali fightback.
"I don't look much into history. But after Mohali, I think, each Test is 50:50," Woolmer told newspersons after the tourists had an extensive practice session at the Eden Gardens.
Refusing to attach any significance to captain Inzamam-ul-Haq's contention that the hosts were still the favourites for the rest of the series, he said the "tremendous rearguard action" at Mohali had been a great morale booster for the side.
"I don't know about Inzamam's comment. But I think each Test is 50:50."
The former England batsman, though concerned at the failure of top order batsmen like Younis Khan in the last Test, ruled out any major change in the team for the second match.
"There won't be any drastic change, but only strategic changes. I don't want to change the team too much," he said.
Woolmer, however, hinted that Pakistan may have to opt for five specialist bowlers given the sultry weather condition in Kolkata and absence of able stop-gap bowlers like India's Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly or Virender Sehwag.
He also heaped praise on leg-spinner Danish Kaneria describing him a 'jewel' in Pakistan's bowling attack and comparing him with Australian great Shane Warne and India's Anil Kumble.
"I rate him as a diamond ring. He is a jewel in our attack. He is potentially a very good bowler," Woolmer, who was asked how he rated Kaneria as a leggie, said.
Hailing Kaneria's performance in the first Test at Mohali, where he scalped six in India's first innings, Woolmer said: "He is one of the best leg spinners in the world today. He is young, he has got the time to grow."
Comparing the Pak spinner with Kumble and Warne, the coach said "he's up there with them... fame only comes with performance".
Woolmer hailed wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal, admitting that his stupendous batting at Mohali had given the team management a chance to consider inclusion of an additional bowler in the side for the second Test.
