The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Technical correction did the trick: Balaji

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Aug 28, 2004

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Sport - Cricket

Technical correction did the trick: Balaji

AMSTELVEEN, AUG. 27. A silver lining for India in an otherwise disastrous campaign in the Videocon tri-series has been the performance of Lakshmipathy Balaji. The Tamil Nadu bowler paceman was impressive in the matches against Pakistan and Australia, both containing and striking in rain-shortened contests.

Balaji revealed, while speaking to The Hindu, that he had carried out a critical technical adjustment in his bowling between the Asia Cup and the competition here.

"In Sri Lanka, I was not finding my rhythm. I was bowling a lot of wides, and was not quite in control of my action. Then saw my action on television," he says. "I was falling away from the crease, and my hand was going towards the third man. My upper body was not straight down. I realised that I had to be straight while releasing the ball, not jumping out in the delivery stride. In Sri Lanka, I took a big jump in the last minute, away from where I used to land before. I was thus wavering in my length and line."

The paceman focussed on the basics. "I just concentrated on line and length. I have picked myself up mentally. Definitely, it is a good comeback for me. I will make sure that my left hand always looks straight down at the target. I will not say I am hundred per cent okay, but I am getting better."

He admits there was some pressure on him to deliver before the game against Pakistan. "You have to perform in each and every match."

"Pakistan match was my comeback. The pitch was slow, not too much bounce. I thought I should be patient, concentrating on control and accuracy. Stick to my line and length, let the batsmen take chances in a shortened match."

The paceman says skipper Sourav Ganguly always had words of encouragement for him and remembers the help from his senior teammates Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, and Anil Kumble, who would constantly shout at him during practice sessions "Your hand is straight. You are getting better."

Balaji hopes to continue the good work during the NatWest Series and the Champions Trophy. — S. Dinakar

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