|
Malaysia ready for the challenge
BY : ALARIC GOMES
THE visiting Malaysian cricket team will play against a select DCC XI at the
DCC 1 grass ground on Friday. The practice match the first in the four-game series
will start at 9.15 am.
The Malaysian team conducted a brief practice session at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium
this evening. "We're here to get ready for the ACC Trophy in November," coach Vijayalingam
V. told The Gulf Today during practice.
"Our main idea is to get the boys exposed to the prevailing conditions here so that they
are ready for the ACC Trophy in November." Malaysia, runners-up to Bangladesh in the 1998
ACC Trophy in Kathmandu - head Group A and are expected to meet hosts UAE in the final on
November 24. " Our aim is to win the trophy, " the coach said.
Malaysia has been clubbed with Singapore, Kuwait and Hong Kong. The top two teams qualify
for the semi-finals. "It's a good thing that we came here as I realise that there is an odd
bounce in the wicket and it is definitely faster than the slower tracks we play upon in
Kualalumpur," Vijayalingam said.
"Our team has a definite balance in all three departments. But we look towards our batsmen
to put up at least 220 runs and then defend," he said.
Malaysia's cricketing plans got a firm boost when its board unveiled 'Project Toronto' on
Feb. 19 this year. The project envisages concrete plans in Malaysia's bid to qualify for the
ICC Knockout Trophy to be held in July 2001 in Toronto.
The plans have started yielding fruits with their Under-17 team doing well, while missing out
on a semi final slot following their exciting tied match against the UAE on July 21 in the ICC
Under-17 tournament for Asia Region held in Karachi.
"The team surprised us all with their performance. But it is a good sign that things are going
in our direction and our efforts are bearing fruit," Vijayalingam noted. Of the present squad
presently in the UAE, four of the players will leave for attachment to clubs in Melbourne,
Australia and another two will depart on a similar assignment to Adelaide.
Their skipper Suresh Navaratnam has already spent a season with one of the top clubs in
Melbourne. Former Indian opener Jayantilal coached the team till the end of September and
Australia's Lindsay Walker is scheduled to take over the team shortly till December.
"With players getting such allround exposure, I am sure Malaysia's dream of fulfilling
'Project Toronto' is on firm ground," the Malaysian coach stated.
Thursday, October 05, 2000.
source : Gulf Today.
Email this Article
-------------------
|
