The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Munaf delighted

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Wednesday, Aug 08, 2007
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Munaf delighted

Bangalore: Munaf Patel expressed his delight on being recalled to the Indian squad for the forthcoming seven-match ODI series in England. The seamer, on a comeback trail from injury, is part of the ONGC team that competed in the KSCA all-India invitation cricket tournament in progress in the city.

“I am happy. It is the obvious feeling when you get to play for the country. Yes I was expecting the call as I am fit now and have bowled well in this tournament. I have also worked hard on my fitness at the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai for more than a month and then I also attended the camp supervised by Dennis Lillee, T.A. Sekar and Javagal Srinath,” Munaf said.

Munaf was also touted to play for Worcestershire but those plans are now shelved.

“The talks with Worcestershire, especially with Vikram Solanki have been on for the last 15 days and I was going to play for them but it all depended on my selection here. Now that I have made it to the Indian team, I won’t be able to play for Worcestershire.

Looking forward

“I am looking forward to playing in England as I have never played there. I know the conditions there help fast bowlers.

“I am happy with the way I bowled in the matches here. I bowled more than 20 overs in spells and I am happy with my rhythm. And actually my bowling was never a problem, it was the fitness that was the issue but now I am fit and I want to perform,” Munaf said.

Sehwag keeps mum

Munaf last played for India in the ODI at Dhaka on May 12 before a back injury laid him low.

Meanwhile Munaf’s senior teammate in the ONGC ranks — Virender Sehwag — refused to make any comments on his selection for the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa. — Principal Correspondent

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