Seamers not spinners hold key to Indian cricket success: Zaheer

Lucknow, Mar 18 (UNI) Seasoned pacer Zaheer Khan today said seamers and not spinners, held the key to Team India's success in the world cricket arena.

Talking to mediapersons here on the eve of Ranji Trophy one-day semi-final clash against hosts Uttar Pradesh, the Baroda pacer said overseas series victory weighed heavier on the barometer of any cricket team's success.

''While spinners may still play a crucial part in home series, seamers held the key to Team India's success abroad, especially on the breakneck fast and bouncy tracks outside the sub-continent,'' he added.

The 27-year-old pacer further said that if India wanted to be on top of the world cricket ladder, it needed to score series wins in England, Australia, West Indies and South Africa, where the seamers, presently in abundance in Indian cricket, would be the clinching factor.

''This is not to say that spinners are less important ... we need to have frontline pacers and spinners, besides adequate bench strength of speed and spin merchants, to provide a sustainably prosperous future to Indian cricket,'' he added.

The various cricket academies including the NCA and the MRF Pace Foundation have done wonders by consitently producing quality pacers, in a country that was once known for its spin strength and had to remain content with a few quality medium pacers only.

The arrival of Sreesunth, VRV Singh, R P Singh and Munaf Patel, has not only added unending variety to the country's pace attack, but also made it tough for exisitng pacers, averred Zaheer.

The incisive pacer, who has under his belt 121 test and 185 ODI wickets, said he was working hard on his fitness to get back in the team for the limited over series against England and the Carribean tour.

''I am working hard on my fitness and hope to make it to the team once again against England and West Indies,'' he added.

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