Sport - Cricket

Lillee praises Indian attack

— Photo: V. Ganesan

HOLDING COURT: Dennis Lillee sharing a light moment with the U.S. Consul-General of South India, David T. Hopper (left), T.A. Sekhar, Chief Coach, and K.M. Mammen, Chairman and Managing Director, MRF Ltd. (right) at the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai on Tuesday.

Chennai: Aussie pace great Dennis Lillee said that the Indian cricket team had the potential to become the best in the world.

The former fast bowler, who commenced his coaching session at the MRF Pace Foundation, agreed with Adam Gilchrist that the Indian fast bowlers were a formidable bunch. “They’re a very good group, and bowling very well,” said the Aussie.

He said that he had spoken to Irfan Pathan, before the Australia Test series, on his bowling. “I told him that he was bowling well and that I had seen his clips. I told him to keep working hard,” he said.

On his customary visit to coach the trainees at the foundation, Lillee said that the session had commenced with video analysis.

“We had a long session today, but it’s too early to make a judgement or an assessment on a bowler. Some of them learn quickly, but some take time to grasp the technical adjustments required,” he said.

Delhi left-armer Pradeep Sangwan, one of the bowlers in the camp, had a stint with Lillee focusing specially on his run-up. “I also worked on the wrist positioning during finishing,” said the 17-year-old.

On the bowler who had bagged 33 wickets in the Ranji season, Lillee said “I worked largely on his run-up. He was running in too fast, and that was something that required changing.”

The U.S. Consul-General of South India, and cricket lover, David T. Hopper paid a visit to the foundation on Tuesday and was lavish in his praise for the work that went into coaching and the facilities.

“It might surprise some that an American is showing so much interest in the game. I’m here because I love cricket. It’s fantastic to be here, and witness the amount of work that’s going into producing quality fast bowlers,” said Mr. Hopper.

Mr. Hopper, who was present with his wife, spent some time with Lillee, head coach T.A. Sekar and MRF Chairman and Managing Director K.M. Mammen.

Mr. Mammen briefed Mr. Hopper on the Pace Foundation’s activities.

Mr. Hopper admitted that Twenty20 was exciting, and that Americans liked it because of a sort of resemblance it had with baseball.

“It’s exciting to watch, and there’s a lot of action; but I can understand why purists have a problems accepting it.”

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