Kumble keen to get back: Wright

By Our Sports Reporter

BANGALORE, SEPT. 4. The recent slump in Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka has hit John Wright hard. However, the Indian coach has shrugged off his pensive mood and is busy focussing his attention on the South African tour.

``South Africa is a formidable side and we will have to get our fundamentals correct. Get a good first innings score and back it with penetrative bowling and sharp fielding,'' he said. The coach landed here on Tuesday and spent time with Kumble and the National Cricket Academy trainees besides chatting with Javagal Srinath.

The forthcoming tour against the Proteas is a fresh challenge and with Anil Kumble's comeback on the cards, Wright seems to have a few aces up his sleeve.

``Any Indian side, with Kumble bowling at his best, is challenging. I have not worked much with him due to his injury and I am looking forward to his presence in the team. He is keen to get back. He has been bowling well and his fielding is okay. The selectors will have to decide when we meet in Mumbai,'' he said.

The defeats in Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe still rankle but Wright is frank as usual. ``No side which makes fundamental errors deserves to win or draw a match. Yes, we had a young side but we made mistakes and when we get our basics wrong like in bowling and running between the wickets, then it is inevitable that we lose. It is disappointing. But we have to admit that the players did show some promise and some fighting spirit in the second Test,'' he said.

On pressure and rising expectations from his job, he said, ``I don't feel any pressure. I am giving my best to the game, country and the cricketers, and if the powers that be need a change, then it's up to them.''

Earlier, Indian team physio Andrew Leipus conducted fitness tests on Anil Kumble and Srinath. ``They are looking good and positive. I will submit a report to the Board. Anil is responding well,'' he said, before flying to Mumbai.

Potential and hope continued to ring loud in the KSCA (B) ground as NCA chief coach Balwinder Singh Sandhu and consultant Rodney Marsh watched the third set of probables train hard. Adding to the lustre was the presence of four trainees from the Commonwealth Bank Australian Cricket Academy. The trainees - Scott Meuleman, Duncan Betts, Tim Welsford and Rowan Brewster - will be here till September 14.

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