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I have a big role to play with both bat and ball: Henriques
Set to make his Test debut in his "favourite" country India in the first of the four-match series beginning in Chennai on Friday, Australian all-rounder Moises Henriques on Wednesday said that his bowling and batting techniques suited the conditions in the sub-continent and he would look to make the most of them.
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"When I was a young bowler I used to be a tearaway [bowler]. Having suffered a lot of injuries I had to adapt and change things to suit my body. I am now trying my best to remain consistently on my lengths and get some movement and to reverse swing. I think that obviously does very well here," said Henriques who has had his stints in the Indian Premier League.
"I have plans in batting also. I wanted to put the pressure on back a bit on Indian spinners (in practice games). I thought that was the right thing to do at that stage. Unfortunately I missed out on the pretty good opportunity there," he said.
'I say that I am a genuine all-rounder'
Henriques has the experience of playing in India in One-Day Internationals and as Delhi Daredevils player in the IPL but he said the Test format will be a totally different ball game.
"I am aware of conditions here and I have got some plans in place to go out there and try them. But the wickets for T20 cricket are completely different and there is not much spin in the shorter format. I think the conditions for Test match here will be completely different," he said.
"My role in the side is pretty good as for me it has not changed from that I have been playing in home season. To go out there I have a big role to play with the bat and with the ball. I say that I am a genuine all rounder and to go out and do as much as I can with the bat and the ball," said Henriques.
'India is a place I would love to come and play'
Henriques said he is happy to make his Test debut in India.
"India is a place I would love to come and play. Off the field I am very calm and I am happy to be here away from cricket. I have got good lot of memories here on cricket and otherwise. When I am playing cricket I am not travelling and I am happy to be here."
There's always the talk of heat and humid conditions in sub-continent in every tour by foreign players, but Henriques feels the Australians could use them to their advantage.
"It is always talked about. But, once you get in to the middle it is different and the exhaustion and energy takes out the bowlers. We got some pretty fit bowlers and quick bowlers are the strength of our side. We have to play to that strength," said the 26-year-old.
"I have never played five day cricket in Chennai. I am very happy to be part of the four pronged quick attack and very keen to get you out there to help Australia win the Test."
'Every player in the team has important role to play'
Henriques believes that in Indian conditions the middle-order batsmen, including him, could play a big role.
"I think every player in the team has important role to play. It is going to be extremely important. The openers generally work on getting a good start and the guys in the middle probably going to be at the toughest against reverse swings or the spin bowlers bowling and catches around their back. So, it is going to be important," he said.
On part-time spin options of his side, Henriques said, "We do have couple of part time spin options. I think the most important thing is obviously going with three quick seaming bowlers is that we play to our strengths and they are bowlers to be looked upon to take wickets."
Asked about the Indian line up in the absence of the likes of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, he said, "I have been lucky enough to play against lot of Indian batsmen like Kohli and Pujara. I have seen them play a lot and these guys are fantastic cricketers."