Chennai: Pacer Varun Aaron, who was ruled out of the first four-day match against Australia ‘A’ with illness last week, has been declared fit and is expected to play in the second match at Chepauk beginning on Wednesday.
India ‘A’ bowling coach Paras Mhambrey said the 25-year-old Jharkhand pacer has hit his strides. “We had a look at his bowling on Sunday. We will monitor him in the match. We want to make sure he prepares in right earnest for this series,” he added ahead of a practice session on Monday.
With both Aaron and Umesh Yadav, who have been named in the national squad for the Lanka Test series, on the roster of India ‘A’, Mhambrey made it clear that the focus for the pace duo would be on the visiting Australia ‘A’ side and that the Sri Lanka tour is still a bit far away.
When asked how he expects skipper Virat Kohli, who is in the city to take on the Australians, to use the pace power of Aaron and Yadav, Mhambrey said: “It’s been quite a long time since we had two fast bowlers who bowl close to 150 kmph in tandem. Virat should be having some plans on how he is going to rotate Umesh and Varun in Lanka. As I far as this match is concerned, I see them as our strike bowlers.
“They might leak a few runs. But as a captain I would be happy if they run in hard, bowl fast and provide breakthroughs,” the former India pacer added.
According to the 43-year-old bowling coach, “injury management” is one of the major concerns in India. “The current crop of pacers play a lot of cricket and break down quite easily. And these guys — Aaron and Yadav — are not just medium-pacers, they have pace. We need to know how to manage the resources we have,” said Mhambrey, who is the coach of Vidarbha.
Though his stint with India ‘A’ is a short-term arrangement, Mhambrey said he is glad to have got the opportunity to work with Rahul Dravid. “I never had many interactions with Rahul during our playing days. This is the ideal time to discuss a lot of things with him. I’m happy to work with youngsters, get to understand their thinking process and contribute towards the betterment of the next generation of Indian cricketers,” he added.
Injured Maddinson to fly back to Australia:
Australia ‘A’ batsman Nic Maddinson will leave for Australia on Monday night after sustaining a tendon injury to his right index finger. The injury occurred when Maddinson took an outfield catch during the first four-day match.
Team physio David Beakley said: “Nic’s finger should be in a splint for the next few weeks. He will continue his rehabilitation in Sydney and prepare for his upcoming commitments with New South Wales.”
No player will be called into the Australia ‘A’ four-day squad to replace Maddinson, who scored an unbeaten 37 in the second innings of the first match against India ‘A’ last week.
