Franklin looking forward to Test series against India

New Zealand all-rounder James Franklin says that he is looking forward to getting runs and taking wickets in the forthcoming Test series against India.

Franklin believes that his current form will hold him in good stead for the upcoming Test series against India. In a recent concluded first-class match, the all-rounder scored 76 and 107 and picked up three wickets in the first innings.

The fast bowler’s recent success with the bat gives him an edge to make it to the playing eleven at Hamilton when the first Test gets underway on March 18.

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"I just do whatever job is asked of me by the captain and the team. If I do bat at 6 or 7, it will be great. I know there is responsibility there to score runs in that position." 

“I have had a good hit over the last three days at Wellington and Napier. It is nice to get a few runs and wickets under my belt.”

Franklin, who has six four-wicket hauls and four five-wicket hauls in his 23 Tests, has not played a single match against India.

“My international career has been going for eight years now, but I am still to come up against the Indian batting line-up, which I am looking forward to," said the 28-year-old left-arm bowler.

According to the fast bowler India’s recent 3-1 drubbing in the one day international series gives the visitors a good advantage going into the Test matches.

"They played really well in the last couple of weeks in the one-dayers and have shown that they are a powerful batting line-up. We have got to be at the top of our game in the Test series.”

He continued by showering praises on the Indian bowlers who have been bowling consistently well in the recent past.

"Zaheer Khan is a wily old fox and he has been bowling very well of late. Ishant Sharma has been bowling fantastically in Test cricket since last year. Then there is Harbhajan (Singh) and (Amit) Mishra as well.”

“It is going to be a tough task, but I think we are well and truly capable of playing up to."

Asked what variation he will bring to the squad Franklin said, “I bring a little bit of variation as a left-arm bowler. I can swing the ball, so it will be a different angle of attack for the batsmen to come up against."