Sreesanth harbours World Cup dream, gears up for duel with Lara

Chennai, May 10 (UNI) While he is leaving no stone unturned in his preparation to get the better of Brian Lara's defence, S Sreesanth is thinking in long terms and the sprightly pacer from Kerala hopes to return to the West Indies for the World Cup next year.

''I hope I will be in the squad'', said the pacer on his World Cup prospects.

The 23-year-old pacer, coming from a state which is better known for football, is undergoing physical training and improving his yorker at the MRF Pace Foundation, where he was a trainee before.

Talking to newsmen at a gymnasium he visited this morning, Sreesanth said apart from Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara is the other batsman he admires most and it would be an honour to bowl to the batting great.

Sreesanth, however, is not overawed by the West Indian's reputation and is working overnight on how to tame Lara.

''I'm working on that and I have been bowling to a couple of left handers at the Pace Foundation,'' he informed and added he would rise to the occasion while bowling to Lara.

On the West Indies tour, Sreesanth said, ''I am happy to be playing in the West Indies which has produced some of the greatest cricketers. It will be a good series. Even now they have some very talented players.'' Asked if the wickets there would suit his style of bowling, Sreesanth said '' I understand that the wickets are a bit slower now. But my aim would be to stick to the basics.'' About his stint with the Pace Foundation, Sreesanth said he was concentrating on improving his run-up and positioning of the left arm during his training regime.

''Improving my yorker is only part of it'' , he said.

''It feels good to come back to the school where you learnt the ropes'', Sreesanth said, cherishing his formative days at the Pace Foundation.

The youngster also stressed on the need to stay fit with so much of cricket played around.

''It is the duty of every player to stay fit with the international engagements being so close,'' he added.

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