‘ind bowlers not ready for grind’
Mumbai: legendary West Indian fast bowler Courtney Walsh feels that India can solve the problem of young pacers breaking down soon after bursting into the scene if they maintain a higher level of fitness. Walsh, who formed a lethal fast bowling pair for West Indies with Curtly Ambrose in the 1980s and 90s, said India has got some talented fast bowlers but the challenge was to keep them playing and save them from injury early in their career. “Couple of years ago, you had some young fast bowlers that burst on the scene and within a year after that, the injuries started creeping in,” Walsh told reporters at the Superpacer event here. “(Umesh) Yadav, all the guys whom I saw and looked promising after a Test series or two Test series, they started to get injured. That is where we have to maintain or manage that these guys get fit and strong so that they can go through the rigours of international cricket.” Asked about the reason for these injuries, he said, “I personally feel they are not fully prepared for the work load. There is lot of cricket being played and as a fast bowler you have to work twice as hard as some of the batsmen would. “I don’t think some of fast bowlers realise how important it is and by the time they realise the workload that is required, they have already picked up an injury or two. In today’s game, you have to be strong. That is the demand.”
Match-fixing no surprise to kiwis
Wellington: Former New Zealand cricketer lou Vincent has opened up to investigators about widespread match-fixing in several countries, the country’s cricket boss confirmed on Thursday. David White’s comments came after the london Telegraph reported Vincent had provided the International Cricket Council (ICC) anti-corruption unit “with a treasure trove of information about matches that were targeted for spot-fixing and the names of players” involved. The former international “has agreed a plea bargain in the hope of avoiding a criminal prosecution for his involvement in and knowledge of spot-fixing in five or more countries” between 2008-2012, the report said. White, New Zealand Cricket’s chief executive, said the revelations contained in the newspaper were well known to officials. “We have been informed of a lot of the information over some period of time (by the ICC) so it doesn’t come as a surprise to us,” he said. Although no current New Zealand players nor any games involving the Black Caps were being investigated “we have been informed by the ICC that some Auckland Aces matches in the Champions league in South Africa in 2012 are being investigated,” White said.
Body language is key for Morkel
Cuttack: Kolkata Knight Riders’ attack helped set up the match in their team’s favour by restricting the Mumbai Indians to 141, and pacer Morne Morkel, who finished with two wickets, said it is important for bowlers to have the right mindset and a good body language. “Body language is the key. Intimidating is one thing, but I think it is key to have a good body language,” Morkel said after KKR defeated MI by six wickets. “I think it is always going to be a competition between the bat and ball. It is important for us as bowlers to keep calm and focus on our bowling ball-by-ball,” he added. While the KKR spinners kept the Mumbai batsmen on a tight leash, Morkel gave the team an early breakthrough with just 12 runs on the board, and later, picked up the important wicket of Corey Anderson. “We had a slight advantage playing and knowing the conditions here. But still, it was equal for both the sides. And the way our spinners bowled tonight was unbelievable,” Morkel told IPl’s official website. Asked whether he focusses on taking wickets or restricting the flow of runs, Morkel said, "I think it is a bit of both. I think it is important for me to have an aggressive mindset, and to think wickets, but not bowl for wickets. I don't really bowl for wickets, but I think wickets. "I like to develop and be seen as a bowler who can bowl in all sorts of conditions and not only on bouncy tracks." Morkel said he has been taking some important tips from legendary Pakistani pacer Wasim Akram. "The thing that I am working on with Wasim is to keep hitting the crease and to get in good position at the crease. If I am in a strong position at the crease, then the ball will do the work for me," he explained.
FOCUS ON IPl NOT WC 2015: Gambhir
New Delhi: After regaining form with hat-trick of half centuries in the ongoing IPl, Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Gautam Gambhir says he is focused on the tournament ahead and not thinking about the Indian team's upcoming England tour or the 2015 World Cup. The Indian team discard started this IPl season with three consecutive ducks but has certainly led by example in the last few games. He, however, said that he doesn't take IPl as a comeback platform. "I still stand by my thought that the IPl is not a platform for comebacks but it is a great tournament, which I thoroughly enjoy playing and I am doing my best for the team," Gambhir, who last played an international match against England in Dharamshala in January 2013, told PTI in an interview. On India's tour of England in June and the World Cup Down Under are on his radar to make a comeback. "Right now I am only focused on the immediate future and doing well for the team. If my performances are good enough I am sure people in charge — selectors — will make the right decision," he said.