The Hindu : Sport : Foreign stars join Super Kings’ practice session

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Foreign stars join Super Kings’ practice session

Special Correspondent

Muttiah Muralitharan to arrive on Sunday

Chennai: Stephen Fleming, Michael Hussey and Jacob Oram took part in Chennai Super Kings’ practice session at Chepauk on Saturday. The mood in the camp ahead of the inaugural IPL championship was upbeat.

Off-spinning wizard Muttiah Muralitharan will arrive here on Sunday and the Australian opener, Matthew Hayden, on April 15. The side will travel to Mohali on April 16 ahead of its first game on April 19.

Sweat dripping from his forehead after a stint under the scorching sun, Hussey said, “The IPL has exciting possibilities. We play with and against both the experienced and the young players from different countries and I am looking forward to the experience.”

Committed cricketer

Super Kings’ Director of Cricketing Operations, V.B. Chandrasekar highlighted Hussey’s commitment. “He reached the hotel here at 2 p.m. following a long journey and was out in the lobby for practice at 2.50 p.m.,” said Chandrasekar.

Fleming may have retired from international cricket but appeared fit and eager during the session. The former New Zealand captain, known for his strategic sense , dwelt on Twenty20 cricket’s growing popularity and the demands the format brought with it.

The big and powerful Oram said he was happy to be in Chennai. He spoke about his evolution as an all-rounder — he has grown in stature over the years — but admitted a spate of injuries had hampered his development as a pace bowler. “I am big made and possibly my body is not quite the ideal one for pace bowling. I play for four months, sit out for a month,” said the modest but influential Kiwi.

Hussey, a ‘finisher’ in ODI cricket, said more calculated risks had to be taken in Twenty20 cricket during the end overs.

“Mentally, it is very different. There is little time to settle. In ODIs, you can work the ball around, here you might have to go for the bigger hits.”

Good welcome

Hussey also expected the Indian crowd to welcome the Australian cricketers despite the incidents of an ill-tempered series between the two countries down under this season.

“I think the incidents were blown out of proportion. The incidents were between one or two players but the teams got along well with each other for most part.”

While the focus was on the foreign players, India cricketers, L. Balaji, Parthiv Patel and Joginder Sharma along with Tamil Nadu captain S. Badrinath, and State players R. Ashwin, Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan and Anirudh Srikkanth trained hard.

Said Parthiv, “The standard of cricket in IPL should be as good as international cricket. If you do well, your performances will get noticed.”

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