We've to be consistent: Nannes

It’s been a long wait for left-arm paceman Dirk Nannes, but indications are that the Australian will get his first game in IPL V for Royal Challengers Bangalore on Friday against Kings XI Punjab.

“It has been frustrating,” Nannes admitted on Thursday. “But the IPL is the kind of tournament where you need to have an air of patience. Each side is allowed only four international players and the quality of the players is phenomenal. I have been training hard and enjoying the team atmosphere. The RCB is a great unit to be part of, it’s a very positive unit.”

Asked what he had been doing to keep his focus going, Nannes replied, “I have been trying to improve my bowling. The IPL is a good opportunity to ask around – I ask batsmen from across teams how they approach my bowling, what areas they target. Generally, players feed off each other, and I feel the IPL has been responsible for an overall improvement in world cricket over the last few years.”

RCB’s bowling has been far from top notch in this competition, but the Aussie sprang to his mates’ rescue. “I thought especially in the last game, we bowled pretty well. A lot of people don’t seem to realise that bowling in Bangalore is hard work – a flat pitch, short boundaries, quick outfield. I thought we put up pretty much a par performance (against Pune Warriors). We could perhaps have bowled a few more short deliveries, if anything. We have mucked around with our bowling a bit in this competition, and you might see that continue tomorrow.”

The team has lost two of its first five games but Nannes said there was no need for panic. “We don’t need to make wholesale changes to our approach. We have been in this position before, we are a very good side and we know there is no need for panic though yes, we will be aiming for greater consistency.”