BCCI inks deal with MRF Pace Foundation

September 03, 2014 03:30 am | Updated November 16, 2021 05:50 pm IST - Chennai:

Much to learn: K.M. Mammen (left), Chairman and Managing Director, MRF, and Shivlal Yadav, interim president, BCCI, exchanged documents, and McGrath said the focus would be on “preparation, execution and analysis. Photo: V. Ganesan

Much to learn: K.M. Mammen (left), Chairman and Managing Director, MRF, and Shivlal Yadav, interim president, BCCI, exchanged documents, and McGrath said the focus would be on “preparation, execution and analysis. Photo: V. Ganesan

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the MRF Pace Foundation signed an official agreement here on Tuesday. Under the landmark five-year deal, the Elite group of bowlers (including the Board’s centrally-contracted pacemen) will spend quality time under Australian pace legend and Director of Coaching at the MRF Pace Foundation, Glenn McGrath.

The BCCI will nominate 20 established bowlers for the Pace Foundation camps under McGrath. Each camp will be two-week long — three such camps are conducted by McGrath every year here — and will be attended by 10 Elite bowlers.

The Board and the National Cricket Academy (NCA) will also name 20 probables, split into two groups, for two 30-day camps at the Foundation. As many as 10 probables will attend each camp. M. Senthilnathan, head coach at the Foundation, will guide the aspirants as well.

The moment was applauded when K.M. Mammen, Chairman and Managing Director, MRF, and Shivlal Yadav, interim president, BCCI, exchanged documents.

Speaking on the occasion, McGrath said the focus would be on “preparation, execution and analysis.” He made it clear that much attention would be on the mental aspect.

Yadav said there was much for the Indian pacemen to learn from a legend like McGrath. “The BCCI welcomes the agreement,” he said. He also recalled the role of the late Ravi Mammen in setting up the Foundation.

Arun Mammen, Managing Director, MRF, spoke about the beginning of this centre of learning for pacemen in 1987, and the subsequent role played by the Foundation in providing India potent pacemen. The contribution of Aussie pace guru Dennis Lillee — McGrath’s role model — in building this institution came in for much praise. “The MRF has worked with single-minded focus,” he said.

As many as 17 pacemen from the Foundation have played for the country so far, he said. The list included two of India’s most successful pacemen, Javagal Srinath and Zaheer Khan. During this journey, the Foundation has been visited by cricketing greats such as Jeff Thomson, Joel Garner, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, and Rodney Marsh.

Brijesh Patel, Director, NCA, said pace bowling was a difficult art where success was determined by how one adapted to the conditions. “Even on a greentop, you have to bowl the right length,” he said. He added it would be important for Indian coaches to attend clinics at the Pace Foundation to maintain continuity in training.

An audio video presentation encapsulated the rewarding journey of the Foundation, from 1987 till present times.

Top News Today

Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.