Zaheer raring to bowl in SA

Having fully recovered from the shin injury he sustained on the tour of Sri Lanka, pace bowler Zaheer Khan on Friday said he is looking forward to bowling on the bouncy pitches of South Africa.

Speaking to the reporters after interacting with cancer patients in Bombay, Zaheer said, "I am fuly fit and raring to bowl in South Africa, where conditions are favourable for a medium pacer."

Asked whether he has studied the South African batsmen and planned any strategy, Zaheer said, "I have not got any opportunity to study them, but our team coach will help me with this.

"As far as planning strategy is concerned, bowling a perfect line and length is the key and I will stick to it. South Africa is a good side and the tour will be really tough," the Baroda-based seamer said.

Asked whether he is undergoing any specific training for the upcoming tour, the left-arm seamer said, "Physio Andrew Leipus has given a specific programme to every player; I am following that."

Zaheer also thanked his senior bowling partners Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad for giving him useful tips. which, he says, helped improve his performance.

On whether he is making any extra effort to improve his batting, Zaheer said, "Not actually. I am a bowler; I have just begun my career so I am concentrating more on my bowling."

Mail Cricket Editor