Leipus puts Kumble, Srinath to the test

Indian cricket team physio Andrew Leipus on Tuesday assessed the fitness of bowlers Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath and is believed to have expressed satisfaction with their recovery.

"Leipus has informed me that I will be fit to bat and bowl within a week," Srinath said, adding he has already sent a fitness report from a private hospital to the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

"Leipus had come down to Bangalore this morning to see how I am responding and also to assess my progress," Kumble said. "He would be sending his report to the BCCI office."

The bowlers, however, said Leipus did not confirm whether they are fit enough to be selected for the tour of South Africa later this month.

"He only made his observations which he will be sending directly to the board," they said.

Kumble has been out of international cricket for almost a year due to a shoulder problem while Srinath sustained a fracture on a finger of his left hand during the Sri Lanka tour.

Both players have made themselves available for the 66-day tour of South Africa.

Mail Cricket Editor