Double bowler boost for India

/ Editor / 12 June 2007 / Leave a Comment

India have been given a double boost before naming their squad for the tour of Ireland and England as both Zaheer Khan and Munaf Patel have been passed fit.

Zaheer suffered a groin injury during his third over in the second one-day international of the Afro-Asia Cup on June 9, which forced him from the action and the subsequent third ODI on Sunday.

He looked a major doubt for the upcoming tour but the Indian cricket board has been given some positive news.

Board secretary Niranjan Shah told PTI: "The MRI scan taken of Zaheer Khan's groin is clear and he should be available for selection though a final report from team physio John Gloster is awaited."

Munaf has been troubled by a lower back problem which forced him to return home from India's recent tour of Bangladesh.

However, he has come through a bowlers conditioning camp in Mysore with a clean bill of health and given the green light by John Gloster.

The selectors and captain Rahul Dravid are meeting in New Delhi to discuss plans for the tour to Ireland and England and the squads will be announced on Wednesday.

The first Test against England gets underway on July 19, but India, who are still looking for a new coach after Graham Ford turned down the position, are not fancied to come out on top in the three-match series.

England are the favourites at 2.1 to make it two series wins on the bounce, following the victory over West Indies, while India are available at 3.6 and the draw on offer at 3.75.