Dismissing India's openers early is the key: Edwards

Kolkata, Nov 12 (IANS) West Indies fast bowler Fidel Edwards says getting Indian openers Gauatam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag out early would be the key to taking control in the second Test against India at the Eden Gardens, even as he rated Rahul Dravid as the most difficult batsman to bowl to in international cricket.
'The plan is to get the openers out as early as possible. This is one way we can check the flow of runs. Besides, having played as a unit in the previous Test, we need to push India further here as well to create some chances for ourselves,' he said.

The West Indies are down 0-1 in the three Test series after losing the opener at Delhi's Ferozeshah Kotla earlier this week.

The 29-year-old Edwards, who got rid of Dravid in the first Test, said it was hard to dismiss the veteran batsman.

'Dravid is probably the most difficult batsman. All over the world he is knows as The Wall. He is very good upfront, as I have seen him at home. And it is very hard to get him out,' Edwards told mediapersons here after a practice session at the Eden Gardens.

Edwards did not call it his best dismissal, but said the delivery was a good one.

He said the techniques and styles of each opponent batsman is scrutinised in the Windies team meetings and then a plan is decided.

'We try to chart a course, come up with a plan. We watch as much footage as we can. We try to stick to the plans.'

The Barbadian said on the slow subcontinent wickets, bowling to players like Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and V.V.S. Laxman was more difficult.

'Now it's of no use complaining since you need a smarter approach to succeed in these pitches,' Edwards said,adding he would focus on keeping it as straight as possible and extracting reverse swing. 'I will hope the ball keeps low,' he said.

'We pushed them in the first Test, we did well as a unit and fought well. We have come here to play good cricket and hopefully we can push them again and you never know what's going to happen,' he said.

The short statured Edwards, who completed 150 Test wickets when he got rid of Tendulkar at Kotla, said he has grown up watching the exploits of pacers like Ian bishop, Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh.

'All those guys were above six-foot. I also wanted to be tall like them, but nonetheless, will have to keep on performing irrespective of all limitations,' he said.

He said the Windies bowlers have been doing well as a unit in recent times.

'We've been doing well as a bowling unit. It's mostly about sticking to our plans and bowling together every match, which helps to a certain extent in keeping the situation under control,' he said.