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Ready for the rains?

Rain continued to hamper the preparatory camp for the India probables at the M A Chidambaram Stadium, in Chennai.

For the second time in two days, rain kept the cricketers indoors, cooped up in the dressing room.

Consultant Bobby Simpson did however managed to put the Indians through a session of physical exercises, their focus being to improve fielding standards.

"India's fielding has been inconsistent," said Anshuman Gaekwad, the national coach, "there is a definite need to work on the fielding, and the throwing."

Elaborating, Gaekwad said, "We field well for some time, then slacken, as we saw during the Independence Cup in Sri Lanka. True, we won the Cup, but we can't afford to keep slackening like that. We need to be more consistent in our fielding."

Gaekwad and Simpson had put their heads together to chalk out an overall strategy for the camp. "I've been looking forward to this kind of camp," said the Indian coach. "For quite a long time, we haven't had the time for this kind of camp, as the boys have been continuously playing."

Referring to doubts expressed over Javagal Srinath's fitness, Gaekwad said there was no need to worry. "He is absolutely alright, as you could see from the way he bowled in England, during the Diana Memorial match in England," said Gaekwad.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, ace opener Saurav Ganguly will receive the Sportstar Sportsperson of the Year award for the year 1997. The award, instituted by the sports magazine of that name, will be presented at a function presided over by BCCI president Raj Singh Dungarpur.

Athlete Milkha Singh will receive the Legend of Indian Sport award, while upcoming hockey star Rajiv Mishra and world under-ten champion Koneru Hampy have been selected for the Young Achievers Award.

UNI