Short shrift after long, tiring trips

As is often the case with open trials, hundreds turned up to try their luck. As a result, the aspirants didn't get more than a few deliveries to impress the selectors.

As is often the case with open trials, hundreds turned up to try their luck. As a result, the aspirants didn't get more than a few deliveries to impress the selectors.

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That raises a question whether it's possible to judge a bowler in just four to six balls. Former Test bowler Karsan Ghavri feels it's enough. “What we look for in a pace bowler initially is his pace, run-up and action. In the last two rounds, we took a close look at other aspects.”

Some of those eliminated in the first round, however, felt they could have done better if they had been given a slightly extended run. “We travelled overnight in a cramped bus to reach the stadium and hung around in the early morning chill until the trials started. So we were quite stiff when the trials started and couldn't give our best in the four to six balls we were allowed to bowl.”

Another issue is trying to unearth spinners in these areas. Spin bowling is all about skill, and unlike raw pacers, it's difficult to find quality spinners when they play without the supervision of a coach. That most of the selected spinners came from academies in Delhi and Punjab seals the argument.

HTC