Even holiday is a training day

Source: DNA India     Date: December 24, 2006  

It was a lazy Sunday morning. Christmas eve too. Breakfasts morphing into brunches. Who works on such a day?  Sourav Ganguly, who doesn't seem to understand the meaning of the word holiday anymore, does. Munaf Patel, who has all to get fit for ahead of the Durban Test starting on Tuesday, does too. Along with assistant coach Ian Frazer and physio John Gloster, the two Indians were the only members of the team who opted to get some work done on a day officially declared off. The other players took it easy, either spending time with their families or just unwinding in their way.

It was a good day to stay in, though. The incredibly hot and sultry weather from the last two days persisted as the duo trained in the outdoor nets at the Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead.  Munaf practiced under the watchful eye of Gloster even as Frazer supervised the overall proceedings. The right-arm paceman's dodgy left ankle (the foot that takes the pressure at the time of delivery) didn't look much worse for the wear it had undergone on Saturday, as he chugged in for close to half-an-hour.

He also bowled about six deliveries to Ganguly. The two best, however, were no-balled by Gloster, curtailing Munaf's celebrations at having got Dada's wicket.

“Huh? No-ball?” queries Munaf. “A big no-ball, mate,” grinned Gloster. With his fitness the big talking point right now, Munaf didn't seem to want to stop.

When Gloster called time-out, the affable bowler said, "Two more to go!"  "Well, you're a better counter than me, mate," said Gloster, as he gave in to the smiling speedster. Meanwhile, Ganguly had his own 'harem' of net bowlers at his disposal. His feet were moving well, the eyes were intent and the short ball was being evaded with élan.

Both Ganguly and Munaf are intent on ensuring that they aren't just one-Test wonders in South Africa – Sourav, in terms of performance, and Munaf, in terms of appearance.  Sunday's session is an indicator that they can't be faulted for effort.