Kapil to train pace bowlers

KOLKATA, NOV. 20. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken the first but firm step in preparing the Indian team for the 2003 World Cup in right earnest.

Towards this the Board has roped in former India captain and one of the finest pacer bowlers the country has ever produced, Kapil Dev, to head the training wing of the pace bowlers to be set up by the BCCI.

Informing this to media, the Board president, Mr. Jagmohan Dalmiya, said here on Monday that he had a meeting with Kapil on this and the latter agreed to take over the responsibility. The new project will be a part of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore.

``Bowling is one of the departments we must focus our attention keeping in mind that the 2003 World Cup will be held in South Africa where conditions and pitches favour the speedsters. So we have decided to set up the pace bowlers' wing,'' Mr. Dalmiya reasoned.

Kapil will be assisted in the training sessions by two or three former stars and the details are being worked out with regard to the period and nature of training to be given. The Board president said a number of bowlers including the seniors as well as those at the junior level would be selected for the training. Besides honing the skills, the wing would also look into various aspects like strength, endurance, stamina and injury prevention.

The Board, he said, was planning to set up a separate spinners' wing and details were being worked out.

The BCCI had earlier set up a Talent Resource Development Wing under the chairmanship of another former Test cricketer, Dilip Vengsarkar. The wing had already commenced its work and would observe all matches in the Col. C.K. Nayudu inter- zonal under-19 tournament to recommend probables for the preparatory camp to be held at Bangalore prior to the under-19 World Cup 2002, scheduled to be held in New Zealand from January 19 to February 10.

Regarding the Indian team's poor performance in South Africa, Mr. Dalmiya observed that he would have a detailed discussion with the coach, captain and other senior players to comprehend the problem plaguing the team so that the preparations for the 2003 World Cup could start unhindered. ``Since there is hardly any time before the first Test against England starting on December 3, I have suggested some dates during the Test series for the meeting and I await their response in the matter, '' Mr. Dalmiya said.

- Our Special Correspondent

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