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[Libran]

Sach back for ODIs!
   By: Clayton Murzello
   April 1, 2006

Looking forward: Sachin Tendulkar during the Lahore one-dayer against Pakistan. Pic: Suresh KK
In a dramatic up-and-ready case, Sachin Tendulkar has made himself available to play the last three one-day internationals against England at Guwahati (April 9), Jamshedpur (April 12) and Indore (April 15).

Tendulkar, ruled out for the entire seven-match series against the tourists due to his pending shoulder surgery, told a senior Board official from London last night that he will arrive in India well in time for the Guwahati tie.
Selection on April 3

The national selection committee meets after the Goa international on April 3 to decide on the squad for the remainder of the series.

According to the official, the batting maestro will arrive on the night of April 6 and will fly out to Guwahati the very next morning from Mumbai.

“The doctors are satisfied with his progress and have given him the go-ahead to play the last three matches,” the official told MiD DAY. The Board will make a formal announcement in Delhi today.

Does he stand a risk considering the shoulder operation took place only a few days ago? “Though the shoulder troubled him during the Test series against England and even before, the operation was not a major one,” the Board bigwig said.

Tendulkar has made himself available because it would also give him a pointer to his West Indies tour chances. The Board could not contact their consultant Dr Anant Joshi as he is in Melbourne, Australia for a sports medicine seminar.

A senior player in the team was delighted with the news. “England are a hot one-day unit and very capable of winning this series. With Sachin around, their chances take a beating,” he said.

‘No fitness test’

Chairman of selectors Kiran More confirmed that Tendulkar would make it without any fitness test. “I don’t think his batting will be affected, though throwing while fielding will be a problem,” More said.

The selector revealed that the 2001-02 ODI loss to England still hurts the team. “Not to win that series was a heartbreak. Sourav, then captain, has gone on record to say how frustrating it was to see Andrew Flintoff whirl his shirt away in the final one-dayer in Mumbai. We don’t want to see him doing that again,” said More with a chuckle.

The laughter did not end there. Before hanging up, he wished all at Mid Day a ‘Happy All Fools Day’.

[senthilpeter]

Good one. had fun reading it 

[toney]

Nice try on April 1st, mate. The post was written well though. Might have worked if SRT's injuries werent so well researched by everyone of us./

[kban1]

ravi:

Great post, applause forthcoming!

[fineleg]

Quite professionally written. It almost worked, just that we know his injury extent quite well.
Very good attempt - applause.