Play county cricket to improve, Zaheer advises young bowlers

[Karan114]

Play county cricket to improve, Zaheer advises young bowlers ESPNcricinfo staff May 25, 2011 Zaheer Khan, the Indian seamer, has singled out his stint with Worcestershire as the "turning point" in his career and encouraged young Indian bowlers to play county cricket to prepare themselves better for international cricket. Zaheer, who was the joint-leading wicket-taker in the 2011 World Cup won by India, joined Worcestershire in 2006 after a phase in which he had struggled with injury and was left out of the national team. He topped the Division Two wickets list that season, picking up 78 in 16 games at 29.07. "In many ways it was [the turning point], Zaheer told the magazine GQ. "The stint at Worcestershire helped me understand the game, why I am playing and other things in terms of preparations for matches and bowling on different kinds of wickets. "It was really important for me to play at the highest level, and to get back into the Indian side. I always knew I had the potential to perform but somehow I was not able to deliver. It was a great learning curve." Upon his return to England in 2007, this time leading India's pace attack, Zaheer topped the wickets list again, picking up 18 wickets in the Test series, including nine in India's win in Trent Bridge. Zaheer said county experience helped players become more independent and professional and said he'd spoken to some of India's younger bowlers, including Ishant Sharma, about playing county cricket. "I was advising all the young bowlers, like Ishant," he said. "When you are at home, in many ways you are taken care of. But when you play a county season you have to do everything yourself and still be prepared for the game. That brings in a great sense of professionalism. "You also get a great understanding of cultures, and that definitely improves your social skills since you are out of your comfort zone. That itself is a great learning for any person, not just a cricketer." Zaheer has been rested from India's upcoming ODI series in the Caribbean. Praveen Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Munaf Patel and R Vinay Kumar comprise the pace attack. http://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/story/516591.html

[Cricket Tragic]

Excellent. I said this yesterday as well when Pathan signed up to play Tontee Tontee.

[Sachin=GOD]

Looks like Pathan didn't understand what Zak meant by "County Cricket" :mad:

[Chandan]

But county cricket is not something of a free ticket which anyone can get. Counties need to sign to those players and for that those players need to have talent and credential. Counties won't sign garbage players Yadav, VRV Singh, Ranadev Bose, Pankaj Singh etc.

[ganeshran]

He is right. Bowlers should certainly sign up for Country to improve their skills Also we need more pace friendly pitches for List-A and first class matches and not flat tracks...

[vamos_rafa]

^ I think this was a very common thing in the 80's and 90's and before that as well. Almost all fst bowlers used to have a stint in the counties to hone their skills. But, I think those were the days when they did not play cricket round the clock. There was a lot of time for the players to relax then.

[ravishingravi]

But county cricket is not something of a free ticket which anyone can get. Counties need to sign to those players and for that those players need to have talent and credential. Counties won't sign garbage players Yadav' date=' VRV Singh, Ranadev Bose, Pankaj Singh etc.[/quote'] This. Although they ll get picked up in second tier

[Andy]

Zak :bow:

[Raghav_12]

But county cricket is not something of a free ticket which anyone can get. Counties need to sign to those players and for that those players need to have talent and credential. Counties won't sign garbage players Yadav' date=' VRV Singh, Ranadev Bose, Pankaj Singh etc.[/quote'] I think with some lobbying and use of contacts many of Indian pacers may land up with a contract with some county. I don't know if BCCI can provide some help in getting these contracts. In any case, foreigners playing for counties are not best players in world as used to be the case until a decade back or so. As of now many of the foreigners are test discards or fringe players.

[saneindian]

I think with some lobbying and use of contacts many of Indian pacers may land up with a contract with some county. I don't know if BCCI can provide some help in getting these contracts. In any case, foreigners playing for counties are not best players in world as used to be the case until a decade back or so. As of now many of the foreigners are test discards or fringe players.

In the last 2 years, a number of our players have bee approached by theEnglish counties, but the BCCI has refused to give them the NOCs. That these counties are still offering our players, contracts for any form of the game is in itself a surprise.

[rkt.india]

But county cricket is not something of a free ticket which anyone can get. Counties need to sign to those players and for that those players need to have talent and credential. Counties won't sign garbage players Yadav' date=' VRV Singh, Ranadev Bose, Pankaj Singh etc.[/quote'] What are you talking about? It is only county cricket not international cricket and I have much rubbish players than these play in county cricket. You are talking county standard is par to international standard. Ranadeb Bose is a legend in FC cricket, you are talking about. He could have done wonders in those conditions. VRV singh is not even playing now. Pankaj is highest wicket take in FC india and he will be pikced for those stats and counties are also obsessive about genuine pace, so Yadav won't be denied at all.