MATCH REPORTS
STAT SHEET
DIARY
OTHER SPORTS
SLIDE SHOW
PEOPLE
DEAR REDIFF

Prasad fit and raring to go

Test discard opening bowler Venkatesh Prasad, now in Jamshedpur with the India A outfit, told the media on Saturday that he is now fully fit and confident of making a comeback to the national team soon.

"I am feeling very confident and bowling the same way as I used to bowl earlier," Prasad said. "I'm also feeling very fit, both mentally and physically.''

The seam bowler said that after his recent fitness test at Chennai, newly appointed physio Andrew Kokinos, coach Anshuman Gaekwad and BCCI president Raj Singh Dungarpur ''were all happy with my performance, both in bowling and throwing. I hope I will get a call to serve my senior side soon," Prasad said.

Prasad said he regretted that he would not be a part of the national side in the second Test against Australia in Calcutta. ''It would have been a great opportunity, to play against Australia at Eden Gardens,'' he said.

Prasad has been on the injury list ever since the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka last June, when he had a fall that harmed a shoulder muscle. Subsequent treatment was followed up by a visit to the Australian cricket academy.

''My visit to the Australian cricket academy did a world of good to me," Prasad said. "I learnt a lot about how to strengthen my shoulder, learnt the proper way to throw so that my shoulder is not unduly strained -- I think it is a matter of time before I get into the national side.''

Asked whether his spell in the cold had a depressing effect on morale, Prasad said, "I think every player has to pass through this stage of ups and downs, sometime in his career. At this point of my career it is quality of bowling which is more important, not how many wickets you get. And I guess I must have done something well, otherwise I would not have been nominated as number one bowler by Ceat," the bowler pointed out.

Meanwhile, Australian skipper Mark Taylor admitted that the pressure would be on his side when it lines up for the second Test, at Eden Gardens, from March 18.

"Being one down in a three Test series is going to put the pressure on us. And like in the first Test, the heat and the humidity could also get us down a bit," the Aussie skipper said. "We are looking to lift our performance at the Eden Gardens," he added.

Asked what the impact of Tendulkar's innings was, Taylor said, "Warne is bowling well, but you must remember that when he is on song, Sachin can blast any bowler out of the attack. That kind of thing does not worry us, each innings is different," Taylor said.