Slow over-rate forced us to use part-timers: Nielsen

Nagpur, Nov 19 (UNI) Australian coach Tim Nielsen today said his team's first and only priority tomorrow would be to try and win the Test.

Speaking to mediapersons after the day's play here, the Aussie coach said it was not in his team's nature to settle for a draw.

''We have to win to level the series. It happened in Mohali too. We tried to go after a target of 516.

''But this is a different challenge. It's not going to be easy,'' he said.

Speaking about the strategy to use part timers after tea when India was six down, Nielsen said Australia was behind the over rate and therefore, had the responsibility to catch up on that.

Nielsen, however, made it clear that captain Ricky Ponting wasn't warned, but was made aware to pull up on the over rate.

''Ricky was aware of what was going on.'' On Allan Border's comments that Australia didn't push for a win, Nielsen replied, ''I don't think for a second Ricky didn't press for a win. We tried to put pressure at all times. Over rate forced us to employ part-timers. It's easy to sit at the commentary box and poke fire.'' When asked if India employed the same strategy which they did on the third day with a 8-1 off side field, Nielsen said, ''We'll have to score quicker if they use the same plan. ''They bowled too wide. But they have the benefit of closing the series with a lead. We have a chance of going for a win.'' He also admitted that the lower order partnership which the Indian tailenders put up have been Australia's problem in the series. Even in Bangalore, Harbhajan and Zaheer Khan got into a partnership after a collapse.

Speaking about the whole series, the Aussie coach said, ''We had one bad Test in Mohali. We came out of Bangalore on top. It was good to fight back in Delhi where we had a chance. We have competed hard.'' UNI GS PY SK KP1921