“I felt that they were going to go after me, and I was prepared for it,” the left-arm wrist spinner said here on Monday. “Done reasonably well at the MCG, I am going in to the second Test with some confidence. Confidence is what you believe. The Indians are the best players of spin in the world, and it is always a challenge bowling to them. It's the kind of challenge I want and I enjoy — bowling to the best and showing your craft against the best.
“Ganguly was my first international and Test wicket. It was pleasing to get him out both times in his 100th Test,” the 36-year-old added. “But I know I have to be on top of my game to do the same again. India will want to fight back and do well, they will want to show that the Boxing Day Test was just a one-off. But if we keep bowling as we did and stick to the disciplines like we always do, they will have to play better than us to beat us.”
Ganguly fell to a flipper in the first innings, as did Yuvraj Singh in the second. “I haven't bowled it for the last couple of years, I was asked by a couple of guys to put it in the locker,” Hogg observed. "I thought the moment was right to try it. If you have got it, might as well use it.”
Hogg admitted to a 'good nervousness' going into the first Test. “It was very nerve-wracking,” he said. “I have always wanted to play a big Test in Australia, and nothing is bigger than the Boxing Day Test. It has been fantastic so far. I started a bit nervous, but I got some confidence after a good bat in the second innings. It settled my nerves. The nervousness came from wanting to be a part of the Test side, from wanting to do well.”
Did he feel pressure leading up to the game? “I try not to have pressure,” he replied. “So long as I know that I have gone out and given my hundred percent, irrespective of the results I will be a happy man.”
Acknowledging the excellent work of the pace attack, Hogg added, “It definitely does help when three fantastic quicks are operating and keeping it tight. I know they will come after me, it keeps me in the game.”
