The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Good news for Balaji fans

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jul 22, 2006

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Sport - Cricket

Good news for Balaji fans

Special Correspondent

Gloster happy with the recovery made by the Indian speedster

Chennai: Paceman Lakshmipathy Balaji, recovering from a stress fracture of the lower back, had an hour-long session at a city hotel gym with Indian team physio John Gloster here on Friday morning.

"It went off very well. He was keen on seeing me since I was not around in the West Indies. Mr. Gloster was extremely happy with the progress I have made. He has given me a schedule to follow and asked me to approach the recovery process in a phased manner. He said there was no need to rush things," Balaji told The Hindu.

The fast bowler, who suffered the injury last November, said Gloster made him go through several bending routines. "He said my back had healed well. I will be joining the fitness camp in Bangalore from July 25. The other bowlers recovering from injuries like Aashish Nehra and Murali Kartik would also be attending it. "

Picking up

Balaji said he was now bowling at 60 to 70 per cent of his speed. "The important thing is that I am feeling good." He began bowling in the second week of May.

Gloster said he was happy with the recovery made by Balaji and added that the Indian fitness team, which includes trainer Gregory King, would work on him further during the Bangalore camp.

Balaji's injury was first thought to be a side strain. "It could not be properly diagnosed here, so I had to travel to Australia," he said. He spent 20 days there in February and March this year. The paceman was treated by Dr. John Grahnam and physio Alex Kountouri (he has worked with the Australian and the Sri Lankan teams) in Melbourne.

The stats

Balaji last played for India in the India-Sri Lanka ODI at Dambulla in August 2005. The 24-year-old bowler has 27 wickets in eight Tests at 37.18. He has represented India in 29 ODIs, picking up 34 wickets at 38.58.

The lanky bowler played a crucial role in India's historic Test and ODI series triumphs in 2004 in Pakistan, operating at a lively speed, extracting bounce, and achieving movement. His displays earned him praise from Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq.

"I will be back," Balaji now says with confidence.

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