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NEWS India-South Africa Series 2006>I was under immense pressure: Jaffer 03rd Jan 2007 14.00 IST By Agencies Centurion Wasim Jaffer admitted that he was under immense pressure when he came out to bat in the third Test in Cape Town on Tuesday but was glad that he could keep the faith the team management had reposed in him even after a poor batting show earlier. "I was under immense pressure to hold on to my place as I didn't have enough runs on the tour but I am grateful to the team management who stuck by me," said an impassive Jaffer after his 116 had given the team a head start after the first day's play against South Africa.
"I was in the 12 so that was in a way encouraging but I was told only this morning that I would be playing the match," remarked Jaffer. Jaffer had only words of praise for his partner Dinesh Kaarthick who had not batted enough in the series but did a commendable job when asked to open the innings. He said he shared a good vibe with Kaarthick and it helped. "We are good friends and I have come to know him well since we sit next to each other in the team bus," he said. The pitch would surely encourage Indian cricket fans to look forward to the rest of the match, Jaffer observed. "It's an Indian kind of wicket. It's dry and there is a patch which I feel would be very useful for Anil Kumble ." Even though he had not scored many runs in the series, Jaffer was happy with his form in Durban where he scored two scores in 20s. "I spent some time at the crease in Durban but there was a lapse of confidence which made me lose my wicket. I was determined not to repeat the mistake here," he said. Terming the wicket in the centre as one in favour of batsmen, Jaffer hoped the rest of the batting line-up will make it count on the second day. "We would look to bat as much as possible and capitalize on the start." South African coach Mickey Arthur admitted he was a bit surprised by the wicket and said "it wasn't the kind of track which his side had wanted." "Yes there is a patch but I remember it's similar to what it was against New Zealand last year and it hadn't deteriorated then. I hope it's the same this time," he said. Arthur was happy with the bowling performance of his team and felt they had bowled with a fair discipline. "We want the new ball to work for us tomorrow morning," said Arthur, adding that "we would be happy if we can restrict them to 380." "But we would have to bat really well and I think the first innings is going to be crucial for us in this game," Arthur said. Despite the good start by the Indians, his side would go for win in the game, he said. "We would like to play aggressively and look for win. We certainly won't hang around," Arthur said. Also View In-Depth Coverage: India-South Africa Series 2006 Team Page: India Team Page: South Africa | LIVE CRICKET COVERAGE NEWS ~ Gilchrist has no plans to retire after World Cup ~ Ganguly's new batting approach may cost him sixer record ~ India 'squash the Orange' in World Cup warm-up game ~ Symonds gets a new hairdo for World Cup ~ Dhoni readies himself for stand-up act at World Cup (more in NEWS) FACE-TO-FACE ~ 500-mark a possibility in World Cup: Hayden ~ Minnows add charm to World Cup: Dravid (more in FACE-TO-FACE) COLUMNS ~ Will Sri Lanka replicate 1996 World Cup success? (more in COLUMNS) OFF-THE-FIELD ~ Ganguly again the darling of corporate world ~ Ganguly roped in as brand ambassador of Puma (more in OFF-THE-FIELD) PLAYERS Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble (more PLAYERS) TEAMS India, South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, West Indies, Zimbabwe, England, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Kenya, Holland | 
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