I am willing to bat at any number: Rahane

Mumbai: Ajinkya Rahane on Thursday insisted he does not have preference for a particular batting position and that he was willing to bat at any number.

India A coach Lalchand Rajput had said before the warm-up game against the visiting England team that Rahane `likes to bat at number 3, giving a clear hint that Murali Vijay and Abhinav Mukund would open the innings. "I am not particular about which number I should bat. I will be happy to bat wherever team management wants me to. I just want to score runs," said the Mumbai batsman after scoring a half-century in the second innings of the drawn tie. Rahane said he was pleased with his second innings effort of 54 in 98 balls after scoring just four in the first essay. "I am happy with my second innings effort after the disappointment in the first. It will give me confidence going forward to the Ranji Trophy game tomorrow (against Railways at the Wankhede Stadium)," he said. The 24-year-old batsman praised bowling effort of Yuvraj Singh, who returned a career-best first class haul of 5/94. "Yuvraj bowled very well. He bowled well in the T20 World Cup too (in Sri Lanka). He is a useful bowler." The Mumbai batsman and reserve Test opener had a good look at the England bowling during the game and termed the attack in the game as decent. "They bowled well and in good areas. Their bowling was pretty decent. (Spinners) Graeme Swann and Samit (Patel) bowled in right areas," he said. England pace spearhead James Anderson, who claimed four wickets in the game, said the visitors were not concerned about a part-time bowler like Yuvraj getting a fifer. "I don`t think. We got a couple of guys getting hundreds and a couple others getting fifties. Spinners are going to get wickets here as the wickets have a little bit of turn," he pointed out. England skipper Alastair Cook (119) and all-rounder Samit (104) scored hundreds in the game while Jonathan Trott (56) and wicket-keeper Matt Prior (51) scored half-centuries. Anderson said that his team had a decent outing in the middle. "We had a pretty good work-out. I think we got what we needed to get out of the game," he said. He also praised the batting of Cook and Patel. "He (Cook) was very determined and showed by example. Samit was outstanding. He was calm and controlled." Anderson said while fast bowling partner Steve Finn`s right thigh strain was unfortunate, it also offered the other pacers in the squad a chance. "Injuries do happen. It`s unfortunate. But it gives others a chance," he said. Finn was injured on the opening day while fielding and limped off the field after a four-over spell in which he did not take any wicket. PTI