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Pathan back to natural rhythm: Fraser
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January 29, 2007 16:50 IST

Ian Fraser, the Indian cricket team's biomechanical expert, expressed satisfaction over Irfan Pathan's current form, saying the left-handed paceman has rediscovered his rhythm.

"Irfan seems to have got his bowling rhythm back. The break from international cricket and the fact that he has bowled close to 70 overs for Baroda in the Ranji Trophy seems to have stood him in good stead," he said.

Fraser assessed Pathan, who joined the squad as its 16th member for the fourth and final one-dayer against the West Indies, and Munaf Patel, who is nursing an ankle injury, after their net session at the IPCL ground in Baroda on Monday.

Pathan was recalled midway through the South African tour because of poor form and asked to play domestic matches.

"The best way to get back into form would be to go back and bowl in a natural manner which he did today.

"His run-up looked fluent and his action also was smooth. There was fluidity in his motion," Fraser told reporters after the team's optional practice session, attended only by skipper Rahul Dravid and opener Robin Uthappa.

He, however, said it remains to be seen how much rhythm Pathan would be able to maintain during Wednesday's fourth and final ODI against the West Indies in Baroda.

"How he translates this rhythm into practice in the match (on January 31) remains to be seen. India lacks a genuine all-rounder and Irfan has the potential to become one," the Australian said.

Fraser said right-arm paceman Patel, who looked out of sorts and unfit when playing in the last Test at Cape Town against South Africa after his return from a long injury-induced lay-off, also seemed to be slowly slipping into a groove though he bowled off a shortened run-up.

"He would need three or four days but he showed he's moving more strongly," he said.

Reflecting on the BCCI's team physician Dr Anant Joshi's remarks that Munaf's ankle injury had healed but he was possessed by doubts whether he was fit, Fraser said it happens to sportsmen at times.

"He's not played much cricket in the past and the pressure to perform at the international level is different," he said.

Dravid said Patel was in Baroda because "we wanted to see how he is shaping up".

Fraser said he was satisfied with the way Yuvraj Singh, also coming back after a long injury lay-off, fielded in the third ODI.

"Don't worry folks. Things are looking good (on the fitness and form front of the three players)," he added.

The West Indies team too had an optional practice session for which only six players, excluding skipper Brian Lara, turned up.

The session was held under overcast conditions and it started to drizzle lightly when the players were winding up. The rain became stronger once the practice was over.

Baroda Cricket Association secretary Kiran More said more rain has been forecast for Monday, and hope that the weather would remain clear for the deciding tie of the four-match India-Windies series two days from now.

West Indies in India 2007: The Complete Coverage

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