Pathan and Munaf train at MRF Pace Foundation

Pathan needs to sort out his action - Lillee

Cricinfo staff

June 28, 2007

'He never uses his front arm fully, but now he has started doing it' - Lillee © AFP

Dennis Lillee, the former Australian fast bowler, has said that Irfan Pathan needs to correct a glitch in his bowling action in order to get his rhythm back and return to the international fold. Lillee, currently on a 12-day stint in Chennai's MRF Pace Foundation, was optimistic about Pathan's progress, stating that he has the potential to rediscover his touch as a genuine allounder.

"He does not have a shoulder injury," Lillee was quoted as saying in The Times of India. "He had a glitch in his action and had gone backwards in his bowling. We know what the problem is. Irfan is young and has the potential to be a good allrounder for the Indian team for a long time."

Pathan has been struggling to regain his place in the side and hasn't played an international match since January. Though he was part of the World Cup squad, he didn't get a game. He was subsequently overlooked for the tour of Ireland and England.

Pathan trained at the academy earlier this month under the supervision of TA Sekhar, the head coach, and said that he had grown in confidence after Sekhar suggested technical changes to his bowling. Lillee too elaborated on the flaws in Pathan's action, and added that he needed more match practice.

"Irfan is using different sets of muscles because of the flaw in his action," said Lillee. "He never uses his front arm fully, but now he has started doing it. He says there is pain. He needs to play matches."

Fast bowler Munaf Patel, also dropped for the England tour, is another player who is undergoing a rehabilitation program at the academy. Munaf is under a specific training program and Sekhar said that it was a matter of time before Munaf bowls at full pace.

"He has been asked to follow a programme," said Sekhar. "I do not want to meddle with it. Munaf should feel comfortable with it and only then I will ask him to bowl with a full run-up. As of now, he is giving his 50%."

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Pathan confident of making international comeback

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