However, Pubudu Dassanayake, the new coach of the Nepali team, wants to produce fast bowlers in the country.[break]
In order to produce fast bowlers coach Dassanayake has been planning a camp for fast bowlers. “We’ll start the camp for fast bowlers within a week,” said Dassanayake.
He said the camp would be introduced before the national squad leaves for Dubai to participate in the ICC World T20 Qualifiers in March. “Wickets in Dubai are not favourable for the spinners. There are mostly batting pitches. In order to play an attacking game from the very first ball we need good pace bowlers,” said Dassanayake.
Coach Dassanayake informed that such camps are conducted to develop pacers in the Test playing nations also. According to Dassanayake, India had started running such camps long ago and Sri Lanka is practicing it currently. “After conducting such camps, we’ll get enough fast bowlers to develop a reserve pool and bring them into the national squad,” he said.
“Though the camp will be held for a short duration, it will help upcoming pace bowlers to learn bowling techniques. Meanwhile, the bowlers will also be given a year-long nutritional regimen,” said coach Dassanayake.
For the project, coach Dassanayake visited different cricketing regions to hunt promising pacers and said he has found some talented players from outside the valley.
“I’ve noticed some raw talents in Pokhara and Bhairahawa. They could be good fast bowlers if we provide them proper guidance,” said Dassanayake. “The pace bowlers in the national squad will also be included in the camp along with new players. If the raw talents perform well, they would have a chance to replace senior bowlers in the national squad.”
According to Dassanayake, ACC Development Officer and former Sri Lankan medium pacer Rumesh Ratnayake will also be guiding the Nepali bowlers in the camp to improve their bowling. “We will try to send the top bowlers in the camp to different clubs in India and other countries to hone their skills,” said the coach.
The coach said that a gym is a must for the camp. “We need a gym and we’ll install it within a week at the TU Cricket Ground. We’ll manage other equipment at the local level. I have a speed-gun and I hope it will be very helpful to analyse bowlers’ pace,” said Dassanayake.
When asked about the necessity of the camp, Dassanayake said that Nepal needs good fast bowlers to challenge other teams from associate member nations of ICC. “As per my experience, batsmen of associate nations often fail against genuine pace. We have been witnessing Afghan pacers demolishing their opponents and if we also produce good fast bowlers, we will have more advantage against our opponents,” said Dassanayake.
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