Need to get a good first innings lead vs England: Umesh

Chennai, Dec 17 (IANS) Pacer Umesh Yadav on Saturday revealed that the plan is to get a sizeable lead on the third day and get England out cheaply in the second innings of the ongoing fifth and final cricket Test.

Yadav, who bowled consistently fast on an unresponsive M.A. Chidambaram Stadium pitch said unlike the previous Chepauk tracks, the current pitch has less turn and bounce.

"I think it's very difficult to bowl on this track because the ball is not turning that much like a typical Chennai wicket. We gave some quick runs in the morning session and that's the problem when the ball doesn't turn much as a result of which we didn't get that momentum," Umesh told reporters after the second day's play.

"It's just the second day, if we have a long batting session tomorrow and overhaul their first innings score, and hopefully if the track starts turning from the third day, we will try to get them cheaply in the second innings."

The 29-year-old was taken by surprise when asked whether he had matched or bettered the fastest delivery ever bowled in the game.

"Nobody told me I bowled 160 kph plus. If it was 160 plus that will be kaafi zyada (a bit too much)," he said.

"My strength is my pace only. I have been bowling for a long while now and have got the control over my line and length. I am trying to learn from my past mistakes and its all about how you bowl on different wickets and that's why I am getting better," he added.

Commenting on his plans of finally dismissing centurion Moeen Ali, he said: "Yesterday the pacers did not get too many overs to bowl to Moeen Ali but then we planned to bowl short deliveries to him."

"Today morning we discussed that with captain and then targeted to bowl on his left shoulder to make him play every ball, which I think worked in our favour."

Umesh also hailed his new ball partner Ishant Sharma, who has come back into this Test after being sidelined with chikungunya.

"It helps a lot bowling along side Ishant Sharma, who has played more than 60 Tests. I keep talking to him about how to approach on different tracks as he is more experienced."

"After bowling a couple of overs on a track, Ishant can guide what should be our plans and how we execute them," he said.

--IANS

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