For instance, Mashrafe Mortaza left the IPL a frustrated man after he wasn’t given a single chance to play for his team (KKR), despite the Kolkata Knight Riders’ poor show. He spent the 5 weeks of the IPL confined to the benches by John Buchanan, and he returns charged up to play his best for his country.

"I can't wait to get back on the field," said Mortaza. "It was a great experience mixing with all the top players in the IPL. I learnt so much just watching them. Now I want to play and do well for my country. That is the only thing on my mind."

The 25 year old has risen as a star of Bangladesh since he was plunged into International cricket in 2001 without having played a single first-class match, and what with a strike rate of 105.88 in nine matches and his wicket taking skills, he makes for a really commendable Twenty20 cricketer.

Coach Siddons says, "Mashrafe is obviously one of our key players... The heavy English conditions will suit his style." And Skipper Ashraful agrees: "He is a kind of player you turn to when in trouble and invariably he will deliver whether it is with the bat or ball. The whole team relies on him. He is our superstar."

Meanwhile West Indies’ Dwayne Bravo is raring to have a go at his opponents. The Mumbai Indians’ player has gained some invaluable Twenty20 experience in the 5 weeks that he shared the field with Sachin Tendulkar. His performance was brilliant, although his team didn’t make it to the semis.

He says: “I learn about others. IPL has been great in that way. These are the players you are playing against, and now you get to know them better".

About his injury layoff he says, "For those eight months, I had a lot of time to think about where I wanted my career to go. I definitely want to make up for mistakes… Sometimes the shot selection wasn't great, sometimes it was bad decisions by me and other times, I used to bat after a long bowling spell and felt tired."

"That's why I am working very hard on my fitness now. I want to play well and for long, contribute to my team's success consistently." The World Cup is set to begin in England on June 5th.

Comments

Add New RSS

3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

Newer news items:

Older news items: