Dec 22, 2011

Wish Sachin scores 100th ton in Melbourne: Shane Warne

Australian spin legend Shane Warne has little doubt that Sachin Tendulkar would get his 100th international century on the present tour Down Under, but he wished the iconic Indian batsman to reach the milestone in the first Test starting on December 26 here.

"I feel Sachin would get his 100th century but I wish he does so in Melbourne," Warne said on the sidelines of a function at the Melbourne Cricket Ground where his 300kg bronze statue was unveiled this morning.

Warne also expects the famed Indian batting line up to do well in the upcoming series.

"I think their batters, especially Rahul Dravid, will make big runs. He's a quality person, a quality act, a quality player. India has a quality team. In Test cricket we've seen them, against the West Indies. Their batsmen will do pretty well," said Warne.

If Warne is confident about India's good showing in the batting department in Australia, he has serious doubts over the visitors' bowling abilities.

"Their bowlers will have to stay fit. If Zaheer Khan or Ishant Sharma get injured, then I think their bowling attack could be quite weak. The Australian batsmen could perform pretty well. I think it's going to come down to how India are going to take 20 wickets with their bowling," he said.

India in Australia 2011-2012 Test Series Schedule

DateMatch DetailsTime (IST)Place
Dec 26 - 30 Australia v India, 1st Test05:00Melbourne
Jan 03 - 07 Australia v India, 2nd Test05:00Sydney
Jan 13 - 17 Australia v India, 3rd Test08:00Perth
Jan 24 - 28 Australia v India, 4th Test05:31Adelaide