I’d like to bat higher up the order: Raina

In-form batsman keen to shine in final ODI against England today.

Suresh Raina, the main force responsible for helping India clinch the One-Day International (ODI) series against England, expressed interest in moving up the batting order ahead of the fifth and last ODI at Dharamsala today.

According to The Hindu, the man-of-the-match of the fourth ODI said he believed the move would give him a chance to plan his innings better and make a comeback in the Test fold.

“Definitely, I would like to bat higher up the order,” said Raina. “If I am given a chance, I would like to give my 100 per cent as it will also give me an opportunity to play more overs. I have enjoyed batting at number five, six or seven, where you need to bat till the finish.”

Although the batsman has a Test average of less than 30, he is hopeful of making a comeback in the longest format of cricket.

“If you talk about my Test performance, I scored a 50 in one of my last three innings. I believe that I can make a comeback in Tests.”

With the change of rules in the ODIs and two new balls coming into effect, the role of part-timers has increased and Raina feels that the team is on the right track.

“Rohit and I have always bowled a few overs and we have enjoyed the job. Joe (bowling coach Joe Dawes) has done an outstanding job with the bowlers. (Ravindra) Jadeja has been doing really well along with Bhuvneshwar (Kumar) and Shami (Ahmed).”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 27^th, 2013.