Lillee has words of praise for Zaheer Khan

Zaheer Khan, spearhead of the Indian pace attack over the past few months, has impressed Dennis Lillee, director of the MRF Pace Academy in Chennai, where Zaheer is currently training.

"I have not seen any mistake in his bowling," said Lillee to the Press Trust of India (PTI). "Before the end of this week, we will analyse video clippings of his bowling, including his action and then advice him on improvements."

"Zaheer is bowling at 140 to 150 mph speed now. Very few in the world bowl at this speed. Perhaps he is only one level below Brett Lee's speed. In the olden days, bowlers like Jeff Thompson, Michael Holding, Andy Roberts were termed as 'express'. Zaheer is also excellent."

Lillee was also confident that Zaheer would slip smoothly into the role of lead bowler, hitherto played by Javagal Srinath. "For a young man like Zaheer, who is fresh in mind and body, it will be easier to handle competition at the top level. What I have seen of him in the last four years makes me feel that he has the potential to handle any situation. However, it is all upto him and no one can do the work for him."

Zaheer is currently at the Pace Foundation to "further his skills" under Lillee. "I have come here because the MRF Pace Foundation has the best of facilities," he said. "I cannot live on my past performances. I have to keep improving and perform well consistently."

"It is a good opportunity for me to be back at the academy, where I have spent time since 1998. Such visits always helps in fine-tuning skills. I am here basically to work on my fitness. I am working towards peaking in my career. Fitness is very important. If I get some advice from Dennis it will help me perform better," Zaheer said.

Zaheer too was asked about Srinath's retirement and his own role thereafter. "We hope that he does not retire immediately. If he does so, we have to maintain the standards set by Srinath, who has played for a long time. We are keeping our fingers crossed".

India's new crop of young pacemen, said Zaheer, are "doing really well. It is a good sign. Pace academies like MRF and a few others, started recently, have been doing their best in this regard. It augurs well for India. Perhaps these youngsters derive inspiration from seniors like us."