Ranadeb wants his swing to keep faith in England

Kolkata, Jun 24 (UNI) Bengal pacer Ranadeb Bose wants to make the best use of the conditions in England to make his mark given an opportunity.

Standing at 6 feet four inches, he has everything that a fast bowler requires -- height, built, and raw aggression.

''Swing bowling comes to me naturally and I would like to make best use of the conditions to get wickets,'' he told UNI.

''The first ball I bowled as a kid was an outswinger. It is god gifted. It comes out naturally. All I have to do is get it more polished. That is what I have been doing. Probing the off-stick from a disturbing length that makes the batsman feel uncomfortable,'' he said.

Incidentally, five of the eight matches he played this season that yielded him 57 wickets was at Eden Gardens, a pitch that has become a burial ground for the fast bowlers.

Asked how was he preparing, he said, ''I am doing the physical stuff. I am training and gyming. I am allowing myself to miss the ball. When I go to England, I want to be fresh, ready and warmed-up to go straight to the field and bowl given a chance,'' he said.

Ranadeb has grown up admiring Pakistani legend Wasim Akram and South African 'White Lightning' Allan Donald. ''They are the best I have seen on the field. Any swing bowler would admire Wasim Akram.

And I fell for the attitude of Allan Donald. They both are special,'' Ranadeb says.

After several near misses, Ranadeb Bose's hard work paid off as he made it into the Test squad for England and the strapping pacer wants to make the most of the opportunity and not be a one-series wonder.

It is due recognition for the Bengal pacer who had earned his wickets quite cheaply over his career, at 24.63 per wicket at an economy rate of 2.64. The Ranji wickets in eight matches, included five-5 wkts haul in five straight matches, and six over all, two 10-wicket hauls, and three four-wicket hauls to go with that.

''I am not afraid of being hit by a batsman. If he goes out of his way to hit me that means I am bowling well. That is the reason he is trying so hard. It inspires me to bowl better,'' Ranadeb said.

''In England the conditions should suit me. God willing I will be able to showcase my talent. After all at the end of the day it is the wickets that you take which matter. I will give my best and would want to return with a bagful of those, should I get a chance,'' he said.

''Being selected for the Test squad and playing for the country would be a moment of pride. I would love to be remembered as someone who served his motherland well,'' Ranadeb added emotionally.

On how he manages never to overstep, he said, ''It is muscle memory. As a kid my coach Gopal Bose would shout if we overstepped.

He wanted discipline. I made sure he did not shout at me. Then it became an unconscious habit. I often bowl from a little behind the popping crease, but never cross it. If I bowl a front foot no-ball, I will surprise myself,'' Ranadeb said.

Having began his career from Wari, he moved through the ranks of Kalighat and East Bengal and Sporting Union before making his debut for Bengal Ranji team in the 1999-2000 season.

''I am aware that international cricket means much harder opposition and the standard of the game going up several notches.

But I am mentally prepared to meet the Test,'' he said.

UNI