The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Suggestions well received: Raju

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Saturday, Dec 02, 2006
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Suggestions well received: Raju

Mysore: Preparing bouncy pitches and playing domestic matches at neutral venues to negate home-advantage were the primary suggestions aired by the selection committee in its meeting with the BCCI president Sharad Pawar at Delhi on Thursday.

According to selector Venkatapathy Raju, in Mysore to watch the Ranji game between Karnataka and Haryana, the committee under the chairmanship of Dilip Vengsarkar expressed ideas to improve domestic cricket and they were well received by Sharad Pawar.

"It was a good meeting and the Board president has noted down what Vengsarkar and we told him. We suggested exposing under-19 players to bouncier wickets as it is the crucial age-group that breaks into Ranji Trophy before playing for the country. Playing on neutral venues and fining associations that prepare sub-standard pitches was also suggested," Raju said.

Meanwhile the former India left-arm spinner said that the one-day matches in January and February would help identify players for the World Cup. "I think the eight one-day games (four against West Indies and four against Sri Lanka) in the coming year, will be crucial for identifying the players for the World Cup. We are looking at everyone and it all depends on consistent performances," he said. — Principal Correspondent

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