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[k-slice]

from TOI:

CHENNAI: Dennis Lillee's long association with the MRF Pace Foundation, which produced some of the best fast bowlers to have played for India over the last two decades, is coming to an end.

The legendary Aussie paceman, who joined the foundation in 1987, has decided to call it quits and the promoters are already on the lookout for a replacement. Some of the big names they have zeroed in include Glenn McGrath, Troy Cooley, Alan Donald, Craig McDermott and Kevin Shine.

Some of MRF's products who went on to play for India with distinction include Javagal Srinath, Venkatesh Prasad, Zaheer Khan, Irfan Pathan, Sreesanth and Munaf Patel.

"I've survived 25 years here. There weren't too many fast bowlers around and I had the chance to build something out of nothing," Lillee said on Monday after a stint with summer camp trainees.

Lillee is likely to return twice to conduct camps before winding up. "I'm 63 now and I don't want to run around. I told the management about my decision about two months back," he said.

"When I joined, India had only one great swing bowler in Kapil Dev. There weren't any genuine pacers around. There were no gyms those days, even at the Taj. I had to run on the streets of Chennai. We started building facilities at the MCC and later the gym culture caught on."

Talking about the changes in bowling techniques that he brought about, Lillee said: "The actions of pace bowlers were all over the shop. I developed customised actions after discussions with biomechanists, orthopaedic surgeons, physiotherapists and even other cricketers."

When asked whether he would have liked to work with the BCCI, he said with a sad tone: "I was disappointed not to have got a chance to work with the BCCI. I like to do things my way and sometimes that frightens people."

[poondu]

Sachin Tendulkar greatest batsman to have played cricket: Dennis Lillee

CHENNAI: Australian fast-bowling great Dennis Lillee has described Sachin Tendulkar as the greatest batsman to have ever played cricket while admiring the iconic Indian's hunger for the game despite achieving unparalleled success.

"Sachin is a very humble man. He is the greatest player and batsman to have ever played. He just amazes me on many counts, his eye for the game, hunger for the game and continued success," said the 62-year-old Lillee, who bids adieu to the MRF Pace Foundation after 25 years of service.

Lillee felt a bit embarrassed now in the thought that he had rejected Tendukar's ambition to become a fast bowler in the late 1980s but said he did the game of cricket a "big favour" by doing so.

"I actually feel very embarrassed because I rejected him as a fast bowler," Lillee said recalling his first meeting with Tendulkar when the batsman came to the MRF Pace Foundation with an ambition to become a fast bowler.

"I think I did him and the game of cricket a favour. I am just joking, but I will never forget (the incident)," he said.

Lillee, then the MRF Pace Foundation's coaching director, advised a young Tendulkar to focus on his batting instead of bowling.

"When he came back a year later he was just 15 years or so. I was there behind the nets. The first ball Sachin faced he hit it behind the bowler for a four. Sachin flicked the next ball for a four as well. The bowlers were not able to get Sachin and he was hitting them out of the park," said Lillee.

"When he was still batting with about 48 runs or so from 12 balls, I asked (the then head coach) TA Sekar who is this boy. Sekar laughed and replied you should know him, he is the boy whom you rejected when he wanted to become a fast bowler," he added.

Lillee said it was his fortune to have spotted Tendulkar before he made his foray into international cricket.

"I was fortunate enough to see him before he made it to Test cricket and lucky enough to recognise him as the world's best," he said.

Asked about the fast bowling talents he witnessed during his stint at the MRF Foundation, Lillee rated Zaheer Khan as the best, just ahead of cricketer-turned-match referee Javagal Srinath.

"To me number one is Zaheer Khan and number two is Srinath. As for Venkatesh Prasad I had always thought that he is going to be a Test player," he said.

"Irfan (Pathan), R P Singh and S Sreesanth were promising but sometimes I used to be disappointed with Munaf (Patel). Munaf is one bowler who used to bowl at 150 plus but someone had suggested him to slow down. To me he had some natural gifts. Not many people are bestowed with such attributes."

Lillee also said that he was never on the same page with the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI).

The Australian said that he loves to do things his way and that might be a reason why the BCCI never utilised his knowledge in the best possible manner.

"It was disappointing for me personally. Got to remember that I have the same relationship with the Cricket Australia too. I do not do anything unless I do them my way. I do not want other people pushing things on me," Lillee insisted.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/top-stories/Sachin-Tendulkar-greatest-batsman-to-have-played-cricket-Dennis-Lillee/articleshow/14409570.cms

[RicePlateReddy]

For a guy who hated the sight of Gavaskar, almost suggesting a racial angle, this lofty complement for Sachin is a bit of a a surprise.

But he has also been a constant with MRF (even though TA Sekhar ought to get more credit!) and was in Chennai pre IT/economy boom, well before it was cool for sports persons to make a living in India. So may be it was just Gavaskar who ticked him off, though I fail to understand how. Gavaskar as we know never opened his mouth or sledged when batting/fielding and was very honest when it came to his knowing he was out and walking away. I guess he took a few wrong decisions extremely badly, especially when the the opponents gave him lip.

I am curious whether Lillee and Gavaskar are even on talking terms ....