Date:29/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/29/stories/2008072952291800.htm

Sport - Cricket

Yadav spots promising players

NEW DELHI: Former Test off-spinner Shivlal Yadav has spotted a couple of promising youngsters at the ongoing coaching camp here. The camp, conducted by the Delhi and District Cricket Association, comprises aspirants from the under-22 age group.

“I am happy with the boys. I found some of them really brilliant, worthy of playing first-class cricket. I am glad they all have a clean action. This is the best part of the camp so far. I can see a good future for some of them,” said Yadav, who is also the Director of the National Cricket Academy.

Yadav, in favour of giving players early chances at the senior level, however, expressed concern at some of the youngsters having suspect action. “A major worry for us has been the growing number of bowlers with suspect action. The youngsters are trying too much. I don’t like junior spinners playing a lot of one-day cricket. It can harm their wicket-taking ability.”

On India’s debacle in the first Test against Sri Lanka, Yadav noted, “I think (Ajantha) Mendis made the difference and let us accept that the Indian batsmen have not been able to pick him. And he has a legitimate action too.” His remedy? “The batsmen have to attack Mendis. They need to come down the wicket, like Laxman did against Australia (in 2001) at Kolkata. You have to hit the spinner against the break in order to unsettle him. You can’t just play someone like Mendis from the crease.” — Special Correspondent