Camp to end three days early

The duration of the cricket skills camp for the Indian probables has been cut short by three days and will now conclude on July 19. The cricketers would be closetted with Greg Chappell on July 13 and on the morning of July 14 when he is slated to give a lecture on cricket skills and interact with them.

A source told PTI: "Chappell will also tell them about their shortcomings during the recent series against Pakistan and Australia." The cricketers will also have nets on July 14, and then play two practice matches on July 16 and 19. A benefit match - a day-night affair - for David Johnson has also been arranged.

Both Gregory King, the trainer, and John Gloster, the physio, expressed their satisfaction at the end of the fitness camp. "From a general point of view, there are no fitness concerns," said King, while Gloster added: "We are happy with the overall (fitness) standards of players".

The fast bowlers had been put through their paces even before the rest, and Gloster said: "We are lucky to have a good crop of fast bowlers. Overall the general condition of fast bowlers has been very good. We are very happy."

He was also impressed by the contribution of Charles Krebs, the kinesiology expert roped in by Chappell. "We have learnt a lot from him," said Gloster. "It (Krebs' method) is basically a technique of getting the best out of an individual, taking them beyond what they have achieved and maintain what they have gained in another area".

Sourav Ganguly, Dinesh Mongia and Harbhajan Singh, who are playing county cricket, are slated to join the probables on Wednesday. Irfan Pathan, who had a stint with Middlesex, has already joined the camp. Sachin Tendulkar is also expected to spend some time at the camp as per the directions of Chappell.

After the camp concludes on July 19, members of the Indian team would assemble in Bangalore on July 22 to proceed to Sri Lanka to take part in the tri-series - West Indies are the third team - which begins on July 30.