Kolkata, April 12 (IANS) Kolkata Knight Riders' spinner Brad Hogg said he relishes the competition from teammate Sunil Narine, adding that they push each other to perform better.
If Narine is drafted into the playing XI for KKR on Wednesday against Mumbai Indians, Hogg is likely to sit out. The former Australian bowler however, had a great outing with the ball in the last game, picking up figures of 3/19 from his four overs.
"It is a team game and we all play a part, and when we get our chance we have to do it right. It's good having Sunil here too. We put pressure on each other to perform and it is good, respectful competition between us," Hogg said at the pre-match media conference here on Tuesday.
"It is a confidence thing with Sunil with the new action. I was facing some balls last year and he was perfect. He is a class act. We know that he can do it legitimately. He was missed in the T20 World Cup, so nice to have him back."
Hogg stated that his job was to create an energy in the dressing room so that the body language of the players remains positive and also lauded Narine as a 'class act'.
"He (Narine) is a class bowler. It has been disappointing for him with what happened with his action. He is part and parcel of the unit. As individuals you try hard and you want to be out in the park. If I am not playing and he takes my spot, I will try and create the energy in the change rooms to make sure every ones up for the challenge. I can't afford to be quiet in the dressing room because that is going to have an impact on the others," he said.
The 45-year-old said that he could have continued to play for a few more years in international cricket, but failed to do so because of personal issues.
When asked what keeps him going, he said: "The passion of wanting to play. I had retired in 2008 had three years out of the game. And to then have the opportunity of coming back and do what you love, I don't take it for granted. I have the same passion like a 5 year old kid who dreams to play for Australia."
"T20 has evolved. It has changed, given new lease of life to cricket, lease of life to me. I do regret quitting in 2008. I had the Test spot then, but had some family issues and I retired. I wish I didn't because the marriage didn't survive. But now I have a new partner who is constantly pushing me, telling me to play as long as I can. Maybe till 50 (laughs)."
Speaking about his training regime, he said,"I try and do everything a day and have two days off a week. I have five days where in an hour and a half I really go hard to make sure the fitness is there. Once you stop you lose it."
Hogg also praised the efforts of the spinners in the format saying that he initially believed tweakers were going to 'die' due to the demands of T20 cricket.
"When T20 came up, with the Australian team we believed spinners were going to die. But now in the IPL and also in the Big Bash, it is great to see teams playing two front line spinners. As it has evolved, it is great to see T20 not taking away aspects that are such a huge part of Test cricket," he said.
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