"I think if there is one place that you want to bat in the sub-continent, it is opening the batting. I have seen it as a positive way, I have seen it as a responsibility to see the new-ball away. I am 32 and I want to enjoy my cricket and wherever they put me, I want to give 100 percent," said the Protean after the day’s play.
Watershed tour
McKenzie admitted that the tour of Bangladesh just ahead of the India series helped him cope with conditions here. "Bangladesh was a sort of watershed for me. In the sub-continent, you tend to get your front leg out of the way, which has helped me. Obviously, the break between Bangladesh and India was great for us. We caught up with our family and sort of recharged our batteries," he remarked.
McKenzie seemed in little trouble playing against Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, and he attributed his successful handling of the spin duo to experience. "I have been around the best (spinners) and played quite a few of them. Obviously, there are world-class spinners here. I think it all comes down to experience. There are footages of bowlers, analysis that go along and you also pick up quite a few things with your team-mates," he explained.
Quality bowlers
Refusing to pinpoint any bowler whom he found difficult, McKenzie said: "I think my make-up is any bowler running in is a quality bowler, he can knock you out anytime. Obviously it’s very hot but you don't want to give any bowler the time to relax. It's cricket and it’s just one of those days. RP has been bowling well in Australia and I don't think he was a weak link. They bowled well as a unit. I don't think the wicket assisted them as much as they thought."
Though disappointed at missing out a Test ton, McKenzie was happy to be amongst the runs. "As Test cricketers, we are really greedy guys. At the start of the day, I would have taken 90 gladly, but it's always never enough. I am happy to get runs, but very disappointed that I missed out on a Test hundred."