Milestone man Kumble thrives on responsibility

St Lucia, June 13 (UNI) Even after overtaking Courtney Walsh to emerge as the fourth highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, Anil Kumble remains his usual composed self and the indefatigable spinner says he enjoys his elder statesman status in Team India.

Kumble took three wickets in West Indies' first innings of the second Test to take his tally to 520.

Kumble is now fourth on all time highest wicket-taker lists led by Shane Warne (685) and followed by Muttiah Muralitharan (635) and Glenn McGrath (542).

''Walsh was there ahead of me at 519. It feels good that I crossed such a big player,'' he said.

Despite the achievement, Kumble seemed more focused to complete the incomplete job of bowling out the hosts to wrap up the second Test.

''Landmarks come in career, more important is to win tomorrow. We came pretty close to winning the last Test, we had to get only one wicket (but we could not). We have to makes sure we do it this time.

We have two more days to get those nine wickets,'' said Kumble.

Kumble said that as the most experienced bowler in the side, it was important for him to lead the attack.

''I look at myself as a key member of the side. With this much experience, I feel the pressure to perform is on everybody, more so on me. It's important for me to lead the way and I am happy that so far has been good. But it is important to comeback tomorrow and take the the nine remaining wickets,'' he said.

With West Indies struggling to bat out the remaining two days with nine wickets in hand, Kumble felt India were in a commanding position and the team expected to win from here.

''The ball will be up and down tomorrow. We expect to win from this position. We bowled very well, bowled in the right areas and kept up the pressure. It's important to vary the pace and try and bowl according to conditions and hopefully we will do it,'' said the veteran leg spinner.

Kumble was not surprised at seeing rival captain Brian Lara pushing himself up at number three in the second innings.

''Lara is a key member of the side and I am not surprised that he came at number three. We have to get him out early whatever position he comes to bat. Hopefully we would do that early tomorrow,'' added Kumble.

West Indies opener Darren Ganga also heaped praise on Kumble.

''He is a class bowler, a guy with 520 wickets is definitely a challenge. He is very consistent with length, he bowls a lot straighter than other spinners.

''He bowls straighter so he definitely brings in a lot of factors like lbw and caught behind. As against lots of leg spinner who bowl off-stump or outside off-stump line, he bowls straighter so there are more deliveries to play, I think that's why he is so successful,'' said Ganga.

Ganga also said the pitch was getting very difficult to bat on but his team was playing for a draw.

''It is very difficult to bat, the pace and bounce is inconsistent. It is also assisting the spinners so it requires a lot of application and concentration.

''But I think we have got capable batsmen in the team to do that.

It's important to play one session at a time. There are two more days, all we can do in this test is to salvage a draw,'' said Ganga.

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