MRF Pace trainees 'bowled over' by Aussie PM's cricket sense

Chennai, Mar 8 (UNI) Away from the hustle and bustle of politics, trade and Uranium talks, Australian Prime Minister John Howard today took time off to visit the MRF Pace Foundation and 'bowled over' the audience.

There was never a dull moment in his nearly 45-minute visit to the foundation, where bowlers from all the test playing nations have trained at one time or the other to finetune their skills under the legendary Aussie speedster Dennis Lillee, whom Mr Howard described as ''the very best cricketer Australia has produce.'' For the trainees at the foundation, it was an unforgettable experience as they had a once-in-a-life time chance of shaking hands with Mr Howard, who also shared some of his cricketing thoughts with them.

Clad in cream trousers and white full sleeved shirt and wearing the traditional Australian baggy green tie, Howard and his entourage were conducted around the various facilities at the foundation.

The moment he removed his coat (due to the sweltering heat) and rolled up his sleeves, he kept the audience spellbound.

Unmindful of the tight security by the uniformed and plain clothes policemen he was all at ease in the foundation.

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