 All hundreds are special: Jaffer
30th Nov 2007 23:01 IST
Agencies
Pakistan's depleted bowling attack notwithstanding, India's opening batsman Wasim Jaffer feels his unbeaten 192 on the first day of the second Test was a good preparation for the team's tour of Australia later this year.
"I'm happy with the knock. I hadn't scored 192 in a day before. That way this is special," Jaffer told after the opening day's play at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
"Down Under conditions are different. And the bowling will also be different. But it (the knock) will help me prepare for the Aussie tour," he added.
Pakistan pace spearhead Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami have not fully recovered from fever and Jaffer admitted that it made a huge difference to the visiting side.
"Unfit Akhtar made the difference... He did not bowl enough. His absence from the bowling line up (for the larger part of the day) hampered the Pakistan attack... His absence hurt them," he said.
The 29-year-old Mumbai batsman said, however, refused to compare his knock with the 212 his only Test double century to date he notched up against the West Indies in September last year.
"All hundreds are special. I have got only a few hundreds," said the cricketer, who made his debut for India opposite South Africa in Mumbai seven and a half years back.
Asked if he was aiming at crossing the Indian highest of 309 scored by Virender Sehwag in Multan, Jaffer said "let me get the first run tomorrow. And then I will think."
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