'Munaf will be the vital bowler in Indian attack'

CHENNAI: Munaf Patel would be the vital bowler in the Indian attack in the coming World Cup in the West Indies, said former Australian speedster Dennis Lillee.

“Munaf is someone capable of clocking speeds well over 140 kmph and should be doing that. I would use him as an attacking option,” Lillee, consultant coach at MRF Pace Academy, said.

The Australian legend also watched Indian new ball bowler, Sreesanth hard at work at the nets and said he needed to adopt a different line and length in both versions of the game.

“He tries to bowl the dream ball that pitches around off stump and goes away from the right handed batsmen every time. His wrist lock is excellent but it is not the only thing. He needs to concentrate on a few other things and bowling a bit short or a bit up,” he said.

Sreesanth is at the Academy to fine tune his skills ahead of the World Cup.

Lillee was speaking at the end of a fortnight long camp for 19 bowlers, including six national ‘A’ bowlers from England and Indian trainees.

On wickets in the West Indies, Lillee said the tracks there were not likely to allow movement of the seam or too much of bounce.

“If Indian bowlers move the ball at even 130 kmph and maintain a steady line and length, they will be able to probe the batsmen,” he said.

Lillee had a word of praise for Zaheer Khan, saying his stint in the English county had helped him.