Bangalore wicket not helping bowlers: Zaheer

Bangalore, Oct 10 (UNI) Indian sppedster Zaheer Khan, who took five wickets in the first innings against Australia, today said the pacers had to break their backs to get some purchase as the wicket was slow and hardly offered any help to the bowlers.

Speaking to mediapersons after the second day's play here he said, ''It was really a difficult task since pitch is very slow and bowlers tactics were not rewarded as we would have liked it to.'' He said his success despite the unhelpful pitch was because of the good line, length and the rhythm he maintained throughout the innings. This was for the sixth time the left hand pace bowler bagged five-wicket haul in Test matches.

''It is a great feeling to claim a fiver against the Aussies,'' he said.

Replying to a question, he agreed that he was a bit frustrated in the first two sessions today as things did not move according to Indian's wishes.

''But I should say that we bowled to our plan though we conceded a few runs more than we wished. The intensity of a Indo-Aussie cricket fight is always high and I am happy with my performance,'' he said.

About fellow speedster Ishant Sharma, who returned with a four wicket haul, including three wickets today, Zaheer said the youngster was shaping up as good bowler.

''He is working hard and it is a plus point for India,'' he felt.

On Michael Hussey's batting, he said he batted really well as it was not so easy to score a century on this pitch.

Taking no hazards of guessing, he said it would be difficult to predict the outcome of the match right now and India's performance would depend on how the pitch behaves tomorrow.

''But I am confident that our batsman will surely perform well so that we can put pressure on the visitors in the second innings,'' he said.

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