R P Singh passes fitness test in city for South Africa series

Bangalore, Mar 8 (UNI) Team India cricketer R P Singh, who returned from Australia after picking up a hamstring injury, today passed the fitness test for selection for the series against South Africa starting in Chennai on March 26.

Talking to newspersons here, R P Singh said he would participate in the first two Deodhar Trophy matches beginning here from March 10, to gain some match practice.

The paceman said the team will chalk out a plan to counter Proteas in the ensuing three-test series.

He denied rivary in the team over teenage sensation and fast bowler Ishant Sharma's likely replacement as the spearhead of the Indian pace attack and said, the battery of fast bowlers in the team were functioning like a well-oiled machine. The players with consistent performances and constant fitness would stand a chance to perform, he added.

Former India captain Saurav Ganguly was the latest to arrive here from Kolkata last night and underwent fitness test at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) The team for the first test would be selected here on March 17.

The board of Control for Cricket in India(BCCI) had asked the players, who had not played for the past one month to undergo fitness test.

Captain Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid, Saurav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Wasim Jaffer, R P Singh and VR V Singh, were among others, who passed the test, NCA sources said.

Rajasthan pacer Pankaj Singh was advised rest, as he had not fully recovered from the side-strain he had suffered during the Australian tour. He had been advised three week's rest by NCA trainer Paul Chapman and Physio Paul.

NCA Director of Coaching, Dav Whatmore was present in the camp.

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