Date:07/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/07/stories/2006090702081900.htm

Sport - Cricket

`Raju will be SZ's man in selection panel'

Principal Correspondent

HYDERABAD: Former Test spinner S.L. Venkatapathi Raju will be South Zone's representative in the National selection panel, Hyderabad Cricket Association Secretary N. Shivlal Yadav revealed on Wednesday

Raju's name would be proposed at the Annual General Body meeting scheduled for September 27-28, because it would be Hyderabad's turn to get the slot after the end of V.B. Chandrasekhar's tenure, Yadav said.

According to Yadav, the HCA had appointed Raju as State senior selection committee chairman so that he could get a feel of the job's nuances.

Ready for challenge

For his part, Raju told The Hindu that he would be ready for any challenge.

"Of late, I have been given the hints quite often and I'm prepared for any responsibility," said the bowler who took 92 wickets from 28 Tests and 63 from 53 ODIs during his decade-long career for India.

However, Raju remarked that it would be too early to say anything on how he is going to function in the given set-up.

"Unless I participate in at least one meeting, I cannot explain how easy or difficult the job will be," he said.