RP has learnt a lot, but Zaheer is your match-winner: Vaas |
|
Saturday August 18, 02:41 AM
He's a die-hard Sudoku fan and was spotted recently on TV chasing an animated golf ball in a music video. But then, that's not why you would want to shake hands with Chaminda Vaas.
Sri Lanka's strike bowler, always in Muttiah Muralitharan's shadow but equally effective, Vaas is here with Middlesex, warming up for a county game. He's also been busy keeping track of Team India, especially his left-arm seam-mates - Zaheer Khan and RP Singh. The verdict? Zaheer, he says, has always been a "match-winner" and RP "a much improved bowler". Now, if only they can match up to their team's "hectic schedule".
Quite at home here under a nice little cloud cover, and the breeze blowing across, Vaas says: "There were a lot of left-arm seamers before, it's just that they didn't get many chances. But now there are some and they have been bowling really well."
And that's why he is surprised India are yet to give Zaheer his due. "Zaheer has always started off as a match-winner and he's shown that here as well. I think he's a wonderful bowler. Taking wickets in England is not easy, he's done that. He's given India the breakthroughs all along. I saw the last few matches and he bowled well.
"Zaheer has developed both the inswing and outswing pretty well, he's always bowled to a plan. And, the way he bowled over the wicket, and round suggests his head knows what exactly it wants to do in a particular situation," Vaas told The Indian Express.
Vaas says RP Singh is a much improved bowler than the last time he saw him, adding that he has given India something they lacked after Ashish Nehra and Irfan Pathan. "RP has learnt a lot in the last few years and he's getting to shape the ball really well," says Vaas.
The only problem? "I think Zaheer and RP have a very good future if they look after themselves well through the hectic schedule. If they do that, there's no stopping them," says Vaas.
For Pathan, though, Vaas has a different message: think bowling, always. "I came to the Sri Lankan side as a fast bowler and I have always stuck to my bowling whenever I have thought of winning matches. If you can bat well, good, but the team is looking at your bowling to bail it out. You've got to concentrate on your bowling, bowl as long as you can in the nets and in matches. If you can control your swing there, you can never lose it. But the main thing is to train very hard and think of yourself as a bowler," says Vaas.
The 33-year-old veteran of 98 Tests and 319 wickets is fine with taking tips from senior players or coaches but says a bowler should take in only what he wants. "It's okay if Pathan looks for advice from different people. I do it myself, I still take advice from senior bowlers, get their viewpoint. There's no harm if you talk to them but the key is what to take home after that. He needs to understand what he wants and how this will help."
As for the rapidly morphing game, Vaas is under no illusion. Ignore the peripheral, focus, he says, because it's a batsman's game.
"Cricket is changing, batters are dominating. It doesn't matter if the wicketkeeper is standing back or up, I have nothing to do with it. My job is to keep taking wickets and that's the most important part."
Time for that handshake now, and before you can say Warnakulasuriya Pata-bendige Ushantha Joseph Chaminda Vaas, it's back to the field - and another day out with the swinging red Duke ball.
|
More Cricket News
India spin out of trouble, barelyIndia's friend now hopes to get some runs off themWarne quick to defend Tremlett after beamerKarachi to host Indian champions MumbaiPakistan hire rugby trainer to boost team's fitnessPak pacer Mohammad Asif offered 100 million to play in ICLIndoor cricketer from Imphal blames officials for apathyAfter moment of glory, Bose back to basicsIndia clash with Lions in day-long warm-upRP has learnt a lot, but Zaheer is your match-winner: Vaas
