Team prepared mentally and physically for Zimbabwe: Ganguly

Indian captain Sourav Ganguly said on Tuesday that his team was prepared mentally and physically for the forthcoming tour of Zimbabwe and expressed confidence at reversing India's dismal performance overseas. In an interview to Doordarshan, Ganguly said "The preparation has been good. We are mentally and physically prepared for the Zimbabwe tour and I am pretty confident that we have a good chance of winning the series."

Warning the players against complacency, Ganguly said "Although the preparations have been good, we have to do well in the match. That is very important." After a tough series against the Aussies, the southpaw expected the players to be mentally prepared for the forthcoming series and added "Mental preparation has to be done by the players, it is the individual player's concern. The coach and the physio can look after the physical aspects. I expect all the players to be mentally fit."

Commenting on the bowling machines with which he has been practicing, Ganguly said "Bowling machines are not of much help. I practiced with a machine for a few days only because I wanted to master a certain stroke. But for regular practice, it is not handy."

Laxman, Bajju in fray for Castrol award

The two new stars of Indian cricket - VVS Laxman and Harbhajan Singh - are in the running for the prestigious 'Castrol Indian cricketer of the year award for the year 2000-01', following their outstanding performances in the recently concluded series against Australia.

Some of the others who are frontrunners for this year's award are Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, Ajit Agarkar, Rahul Dravid and Javagal Srinath. The award carries a trophy and a cheque of Rs five lakh, according to a release in Mumbai on Tuesday.

The release said the award is given on the basis of the performance of the Indian players in all the international matches played by them from October 1 to September 30, every year. Tendulkar won the inaugural award in 1997-98 and again in 1999-2000. In 1998-99, the award was won by Dravid, the release added.

National seminar on cricket marks KCA golden jubilee celebrations

As part of the golden jubilee celebrations of the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA), a national seminar on cricket is being organised in Kochi on May 27. The seminar would be addressed by noted TV commentator Harsha Bogle, sports editor of PTI Jaganath Rao and noted sports writer Rajan Bala among others. This was announced at a press conference by the association secretary S Haridas, on Tuesday.

Later the same evening, Kerala Ranji Trophy cricketers would be felicitated at a function in which Indian spin ace Anil Kumble would be the chief guest.

Kumble may be seen on silver screen

Ace Indian leg spinner Anil Kumble, who is recovering from a shoulder injury said he is yet to decide on acting in a film. The film based on a life of a child patient and directed by noted advertisement and film maker Rajiv Menon may see the Karnataka spinner being cast in the venture. The story of the film is based on a true life story of a physically handicapped child who was helped by Kumble but died later.

Talking to Star News, Kumble said "The film is in its initial stage. But it is definitely a possibility that I will act in it." Kumble added that as physiotherapy and bowling practice were taking much of his time, he was not very sure how much attention he could give to the film. If Kumble finally decides to act, he will follow in the footsteps of his former teammate Ajay Jadeja.

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