Munaf Patel heads to Australia

Munaf Patel and Raghavendra Rao, fast bowlers from Mumbai and Karnataka respectively, are being sent by the MRF Pace Foundation to the Australian Academy of Sport (AAS) in Canberra.

Speaking to Mid Day, TA Sekhar, the head coach of the foundation, said: "They [Munaf and Rao] will undergo bio-mechanical tests under the supervision of some of the top Australian fast bowlers of the past, and fitness experts. Basically, they will be taught various methods on how to prevent injuries, [and] strengthen their body parts such as shoulders and joints."

Munaf had come into the limelight last year when he was touted as India's fastest bowler, and Sachin Tendulkar, impressed by what he faced, persuaded Munaf to shift from Gujarat to Mumbai. He had a mixed season for Mumbai, though, picking up 14 wickets in the five Ranji Trophy matches that he played. Was he ready for a step up?

"Why not?" asked Sekhar. "It has been a week since he is here [in Chennai], and he has been bowling very well. In fact, I feel that he is the fastest [bowler] in India right now."

Mid Day also asked Sekhar about a flaw that many experts had spoken about in Munaf's bowling action last year - his delivery stride, in which his left arm gets locked. "Dennis [Lillee] doesn't feel his hand getting locked is a major problem," Sekhar replied. "All this can be sorted out with time."