Daredevils coach not satisfied with spin attack

A day before Daredevils will confront Kolkata Knight Riders in their maiden Indian Premier League-V match, Delhi Daredevils coach Eric Simmons seemed worried about not up to mark spin attack in contrast to a strong pace battery.

"We do a lack a big name as far as our spin department is concerned," Simmons expressed his concerns while talking to the mediapersons on the sidelines of the team's practice at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

South African Roelof Van der Merwe is only batsman in the Daredevils squad who has an international experience. "We do a lack a big name in our spin department," Simmons added.

"We got Roelof who has had international success in the past. So, he'll be key for us. Shahbaz (Nadeem) and (Pawan) Negi too aren't bad either." Daredevils coach said the team management was formulating strategies for the spinners to astonish their opponents.

"Now there are a few thoughts and ideas which we would like to use in our spin department to surprise the opposition."

However the team has a formidable pace attack with presence of Morne Morkel, Umesh Yadav and Kiwi Doug Bracewell.

The team also faces a weakened batting top order as batsmen like Sri Lankan Mahela Jayawardene, Englishman Kevin Pietersen and David Warner of Australia are playing for their national teams. Swashbuckling New Zealander Ross Taylor is nursing a broken hand. "We knew well in advance that Mahela, KP and David Warner will be missed. We're ready for the situation. But we had certainly expected Ross right from the very first game. Unfortunately, he was hit by none other than his Delhi teammate (Morne Morkel).

"In any case though, IPL's not a sprint; it's a marathon and we hope our players will peak at the right time," the coach added.

--with inputs from IANS