Keaton Jennings, who made a century on debut at the Wankhede Stadium here on Thursday, said it was a dream come true for him. “I suppose waking up this morning if someone said to me you will get a Test match hundred, I would have put them off. I woke up at five O’clock this morning thinking I will miss the bus. So jumped out of bed, packed everything, settled myself down and then I saw the time… It’s been a dream come true, and surreal that it’s (century) come on debut,’’ Jennings said.
READ: >Keaton Jennings enters history books
Excerpts:
The early phase of his knock: It was a bit like a tennis ball with the new ball. I suppose you really don’t know how to play at it or get underneath at the start. Thankfully, it kind of hit his (Karun Nair) hand and got out. I had a little bit of luck, but I suppose that’s the way the game goes sometimes. I am really thankful that the day has gone the way it has. I suppose it’s better you try and go through the process of going through each ball at a time. You try to put out of your mind what happened before. When the ball lifted up to gully my heart was in my mouth and just thought you got a nought in your first innings. But, thankfully, it went to ground.
DRS on LBW appeal: At the time I thought it was close, but when it got given not out, I thought it might have kept outside the line. I knew I hadn’t hit it first. I suppose that’s what happens. Thankfully, the decision went my way and not the other way around where the umpire’s call gets pulled against you.
On his reverse sweep: It’s been a shot over the last six-eight months I have played fairly successfully. I looked at the scoreboard (when on 96) and thought, well rather than get out caught at first slip defending, I would rather try to get to the hundred.
Cook’s words before facing Ashwin: He was trying to give me a feel of what he went through facing him before. We knew it wasn’t going to rag straight away, so was more trying to get a feel of what pace he’s going to bowl, how he’s going to try to get you out. Ashwin is one of the best bowlers in the world. I think his average against the left-handers was 18 when we walked up to bat. You don’t get stats like that from not knowing what you are doing. You try and come up with a game plan against him, and try and back yourself and your technique and process to combat him.
Replacement for Hameed: Thankfully, it’s not my problem. Hopefully, I can keep going the way I have gone today and make it a good problem. It’s out of my hands and it’s not controlable. If I play two Tests, one Test, whatever in my career, hopefully I can make them happy Tests.
Test atmosphere : The atmosphere was incredible. When you arrive at the ground in a police escort, it’s a little bit surreal. We had a chat in November with Graeme Swann and Mark Wood and they highlighted the fact that Test cricket isn’t miles away from first-class cricket. They tried to highlight that there will be nothing you have not faced in first-class cricket that will be thrown at you in Test cricket. You try and take a little bit of heart in what the guys that have played and are currently playing say. Then just try and do the same things you have done in the last six-eight months and have little bit of success.
Comments
SHARE