My role will depend on the wicket: Bollinger

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Blame it on the surface that has changed character at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. MS Dhoni cannot be questioned for obvious shift in approach, one that has consigned the role of speedsters to support cast.

An economy rate of 6.87 and an average of 18.48 in the IPL suggests Doug Bollinger has done most things right, yet the Australian quick is not seen as the trump card.

“My role will depend on the wicket. It has been a little bit slow and spinner-friendly in the past couple of years. You just got to adapt. The present track is better for fast bowlers. Little bit of grass and hopefully that grass helps the ball to come through quick. We are a good bowling unit. Hopefully it will help me and later spin for Ashwin as well,” said Bollinger.

Coming back after a brief injury lay-off, Bollinger is raring to go. The added incentive is team-mate Ben Hilfenhaus joining him after the Test series in West Indies. “My hamstring was in pain in the summer. But I feel really good now.

We have got a great group here. I am definitely looking forward to bowling along with Ben, he has really done well for Australia after being sidelined by injuries.”

The new ball department has not been Chennai’s strength but Bollinger was in no mood to buy that.
“Albie Morkel has done a really good job. Shadab Jakati and Ashwin have been fantastic. So I don’t think there is pressure. The left-right combination with Albie has also worked well,” explained Bollinger.

At 30, Bollinger still has a lot to offer and has set his sights on making it back to the Australian dressing room. On the other hand Bollinger can continue to provide the cutting edge to the largely spin dominant attack that has been strengthened by the inclusion of Ravindra Jadeja.

There is no pressure on the two-time defending champion according to Bollinger, who picked Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians as the potential threats to Chennai.

Anirudha to step in for Abhinav?

An ankle injury to Abhinav Mukund has ruled him out of the opener against Mumbai Indians on Wednesday. The team management said the injury was not serious and Abhinav required rest for a week to ten days.

With Mike Hussey away on national duty, it looks like S. Anirudha who has been on good touch in the domestic limited over tournaments, will partner state colleague M. Vijay against Mumbai.