Class returns after the classes

Teachers across the world be reassured that old primary school diktat of 8220;get out of the class8221; works even with the grown ups.

Teachers across the world be reassured that old primary school diktat of 8220;get out of the class8221; works even with the grown ups. Non-performance saw Irfan Pathan being dropped in India8217;s final game of the Malaysia tri-series while Ramesh Powar8217;s dismal form saw to it that he could never get into the playing XI there. But, today, when they were readmitted into the class, their report card showed a sudden transition.

The last time Pathan bowled with a new ball, a couple of games before he was dropped, he conceded 22 runs from two overs.

Today he conceded just 20 from eight. His figures of 8-3-20-2 happen to be his best ever against a top-eight team. If we discount his flexing of muscles against the minnows 8212; Zimbabwe and Bangladesh 8212; Pathan has just once bowled three maiden overs in a game during his entire career. But his effort of 9-3-29-1 last year against the West Indies in Sri Lanka fades away against his show today. And considering the trauma and troubles he has been facing of late, this could prove to be his most important bowling spell he has ever bowled.

Something that was true for Powar, too. The spike of the last England series dwarfed after a forgettable show in the West Indies and his subsequent bench-warming in Malaysia. With the presence of Dinesh Mongia 8212; better with bat and a useful spinner too 8212; Powar8217;s place in the side wasn8217;t assured always. Under the circumstances, the offie with a classical action had the fantastic figures of 8-1-24-3 8212; his career-best showing.

The pressure on the two was visible in Malaysia as the two sweated it out at the nets, working on that most important thing they really lacked: bowling in the right areas.

While Pathan8217;s ironed his flaws in public view with coach Greg Chappell and former pace great Jeff Thomson, Powar was bowling endlessly at stumps with a few fellow bench-warmers. There were enough signs during the nets before this game how the two were slowly finding their rhythm and concentration on their core competence.

Pathan8217;s two wickets 8212; Flintoff and Strauss 8212; were because of his swing and return to early 130 kph. Flintoff falling to the ball that straightens after pitching while Strauss edging an away-going lifter. Powar once again resorted to his tantalizing loop 8212; a rarity in one-dayers considering the threat of being hit around.

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Powar8217;s three wickets showed three different ways of batsmen being deceived by the flight. Paul Collingwood was fooled by the ball that was held back, James Dalrymple was foxed by the drift of the tossed-up ball while Sajid Mahmood miscalculated the tweak that Powar gave to the ball.

In a nutshell, for the players who opted to go back to the school, it was a welcome return to class.

MUNAF PATEL

Munaf Patel has come a long way since making his debut almost a year ago. The pace spearhead, a quick learner, cut down on his speed while sticking to the other vital ingredient 8212; line and length. Keeping a tight leash on England batsmen, he gave India the early breakthroughs, the most important one being Kevin Pietersen. He richly deserved the Man of the Match award 8212; his first 8212; for his economical bowling of three for 18 in eight overs.