ECB enlists Lillee's expertise

By Kate Laven

There are three secrets to being a successful fast bowler - work, hard work and more hard work Dennis Lillee

When the future of England cricket was placed in Rod Marsh's hands, it was only a matter of time before his former Aussie team-mate Dennis Lillee was invited to play his own part in developing the country's fast-bowling talent.

The success of Lillee's MRF Pace Foundation in Madras means the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is now looking to integrate his programme into their training regime for fast bowlers, not just among the Academy intake but at the highest level.

An idea put forward by England bowling coach Troy Cooley has already been agreed in principle by the ECB.

So before long the likes of James Anderson and Steve Harmison could be making regular visits to the Foundation, which Lillee attends for two weeks, four times a year.

When Lillee first arrived in India 17 years ago, the MRF ground was nothing to write home about.

But as a favour to his friend, Ravi Mammen, the boss of MRF who died shortly after he was appointed director, Lillee set about developing it from an unused field in the Madras Christian College grounds into a fast bowling school of international repute.

Since then, some of the most outstanding bowlers in the world have passed through, including Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee, Zaheer Khan and most recently Indian youngster Irfan Pathan.

Last week Lillee was scrutinising a batch of English bowlers, including Steve Kirby, Kabir Ali, Robin Martin-Jenkins, the Nottinghamshire seam attack and England A bowlers Simon Jones and Sajid Mahmood.

Lillee has been putting India's Zaheer Khan through his paces

"I have seen one lad in particular who I think has the potential to be a very, very fine fast bowler for England," said Lillee, who played 70 Tests and took 355 wickets for Australia.

He was reluctant to name names, although he spent a few hours with Lancashire prospect Mahmood.

"It would put too much pressure on the lad," said Lillee.

"I think Kirby is outstanding but I have seen another England bowler who is exceptionally talented and if everything goes right, could have a very fine career.

"Out of this crop, there are up to four guys who could potentially be very good Test bowlers. In the time they have been here, they have improved markedly."

Lillee spends hours watching them in the nets and giving them advice as to how they can perfect their action to increase their speed, improve their accuracy and reduce the potential for injury.

He sends them away with a list of things to work on. The rest, he says, is down to them.

"There are three secrets to being a successful fast bowler. It's work, hard work and more hard work.

"You have to be very well prepared to have a career in fast bowling but no one can do that for them.

"They have to do it themselves but not many people are prepared to be that dedicated."