Date:13/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/13/stories/2008071356231900.htm

Sport

Zaheer Khan and Parthiv Patel practise for over an hour

CHENNAI: Zaheer Khan and Parthiv Patel, members of the Indian Test squad that will tour Sri Lanka later this month, practised for over an hour at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday.

The team is scheduled to assemble in the city on Sunday evening for a day’s practice before flying out to Colombo on Tuesday.

Having arrived early, Zaheer and Parthiv chose to have a net.

Zaheer, who hasn’t figured in international cricket after a heel injury truncated his tour of Australia in January, eased into the session.

After limbering up, the left-armer marked his run-up with a tape measure.

His first few deliveries to Parthiv were looseners, but he soon found his rhythm and troubled the little left-handed batsman. Parthiv, who last played for India in 2004, batted for 40 minutes against Zaheer and a collection of local bowlers.

He was severe on the spinners, sweeping and lofting them straight.

The pair broke for water before having a short session to round the day off. — Special Correspondent