Cricinfo





home Widgets Top Performer Bright Moments Photos Airtel mChek Help and Feedback

 

Live Scorecards
Fixtures | Results
3D Animation
India v Australia
Bangladesh v N Zealand
Stanford 20/20 for 20
ICC Intercontinental Cup
ICC WCL Division 4
Indian Cricket League
Current and Future Tours
News
Photos | Wallpapers
Cricinfo Magazine
Match/series archive
Records
Statsguru
Players/Officials
Grounds
Women's Cricket
ICC
Rankings/Ratings
Wisden Almanack
Games
Fantasy Cricket
Slogout
Daily Newsletter
Toolbar
Widgets



South Africa in India 2007-08

I'm not ready for international cricket - Zaheer

Ajay S Shankar

March 12, 2008


India are likely to miss Zaheer Khan's strike power during the South Africa series © AFP
 

Zaheer Khan, the Indian left-arm fast bowler, has indicated he won't be fit in time for the start of the upcoming home Test series against South Africa, which begins on March 26.

"As far as I am concerned, I still feel I am not ready for international cricket," Zaheer said on Wednesday at a promotional event to launch the team of Bangalore's IPL franchise, with whom he is contracted. "I have started bowling but I have been asked by doctors not to push it. That's also one thing I have learnt from experience."

Zaheer, who dropped out of the team ahead of the Sydney Test against Australia in early January with an ankle injury, said he would take another four to six weeks to recover fully, which makes him a doubtful starter even for the third Test in Kanpur that starts on April 11.

Zaheer had visited the Centre for Sports Medicine in Johannesburg for rehabilitation, and missed the mandatory fitness tests ahead of the South Africa series.

"One of the reasons I am not ready for Tests matches is because I have to bowl 30-35 overs across five days," Zaheer said. "Doctors have advised me to start with one-dayers and club games."

Fitness worries saw Zaheer miss the third Test against Pakistan last year. He had also been rested for the ICC World Twenty20 in September, having suffered an ankle injury while batting during the ODI series in England.

Zaheer said he wanted to play domestic cricket before making a decision, but clarified the Deodhar Trophy, which begins on March 14, would be too early for him to start playing competitive cricket.

He was pleased with his recovery so far. "The progress has been good and the body has responded well to rehabilitation. "

Venkatesh Prasad, India's bowling coach and also the coach for the Bangalore Royal Challengers, had said Zaheer needed time to recover.

Ajay Shankar is deputy editor of Cricinfo in Bangalore

 
Post this story on your favourite website Email this page to a friend Print this page Feedback
Watch our daily Cricinfo SportsCenter news round-ups
Available on Cricinfo.tv
    Add a Cricinfo Widget to your website now!
Cricinfo Widgets
    NEW FANTASY: India v Australia Test series - prizes to be won
Enter now - series starts October 9

Cricinfo Mobile


Related Links



Stories

Players/Umpires

Series/Tournaments

Teams






Sponsored Links
Check out all the action only on Tour Diaries
Brought to you by Airtel
2/3 BHK Homes.Search NOW!
Makaan.com
Bright Moments
Brought to you by Philips
Gatorade Pacers 2008
Register Now
Follow the new 2008/09 Premier League season
On ESPNsoccernet
 
Cricinfo Products
NEW FANTASY: India v Australia Test series
Enter to win prizes
Add a Cricinfo Widget to your website now
Portable apps for your site
 


 
Top 5 player searches
Most read stories