Md Kaif joins Munaf, Irfan to train at Pace Foundation

Chennai, July 6 (UNI) Rains and lack of practice have brought another dropped player Mohammed Kaif to the MRF Pace foundation here.

Kaif, who arrived here this afternoon, told reporters that he had been training in Delhi but the rains upset his practice sessions.

The Foundation has excellent facilities and bouncy wickets . And an added advantage of coaches like Dennis Lillee, T A Sekar and Javagal Srinath. It has some fine trainees, who can bowl to me at the nets,'' he said.

Asked whether he was working on some specific areas, the Uttar Pradesh player, who had a bad run in 2006, said he was working on his foot movements to get behind the line of the ball.

I am concentrating on this batting aspect, especially the feet movements so that I can time the ball well and put more power into my shots'' he added.

Asked about the stiff competition for a place in the national side, Kaif said the youngsters, who are doing well deserved a place in the national side. I am not too much worried about these things. I believe in myself,'' he observed.

Kaif's earnestness to get back into contention is significant as the India A team for the Kenya and Zimbabwe tours is to be announced tomorrow.

Asked about the lean patch in his career, the 26-year-old Kaif said one cannot have any control over your past, only control over the future.

Meanwhile, Dennis Lillee, the former Australian speedster and consultant coach at the pace foundation, told reporters that both Irfan Pathan and Munaf Patel were close to bowling at their usual best. ''They need to play a few matches before the selectors assess them,'' he said.

Pathan said he was happy with the corrective measures and would continue to train here since no domestic matches were scheduled now.

I am looking forward to playing in competitive matches'', Pathan told reporters.

UNI