Pathan, Balaji, Zaheer to train under Lillee

Pace bowlers Irfan Pathan and Lakshmipathy Balaji, India's bowling heroes in the recent Test series against Pakistan, along with left-arm seamer Zaheer Khan will fine-tune their skills at the MRF Pace Foundation under speed guru Dennis Lillee before taking on the mighty Australians when they tour India later this year.

The trio, who confirmed their travel plans and training schedule with Foundation Director T A Sekar, will train for a month, from May 28.

"It has been the practice for Indian cricketers to visit the Foundation for short and long duration training since the eighties and these three bowlers were here before they went to Australia and Pakistan to learn more on the art of fast bowling from Dennis," Sekar said.

Lillee will arrive in Chennai on June 14 for his stint with the Indian pacers.

"This is perhaps the best of academies in the country with state-of-the-art facilities. Moreover, Lillee has a proven record and all Indian players, including batsmen, have visited the Foundation to make use of the Australian's advice," Sekar said.

He said besides the trio, bowlers from the BCCI-run National Cricket Academy, three Sri Lankan bowlers and two from Bangladesh will also be at the foundation during Lillee's visit.