Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood and priceless lessons: Abhishek Moond and Vasudev Prasad Singh delve into Australia’s fast-bowling culture

(L-R) Vasudev Prasad Singh, Pat Cummins and Abhishek Moond at Allan Border Field in Brisbane (Photo courtesy: Cricket Australia) New Delhi: “Sir, I’m sure he’s still Cummins (Pat) Hazlewood The run was marked by (Josh) and Starc (Mitchell). (I can’t believe I scored my run alongside Hazlewood and Starc),” recalled Ashok Kumar of the first conversation he had with his charge Vasudev Prasad Singh from Brisbane on 14 July.20-year-old Singh from Bihar’s Muzaffarpur district and 18-year-old Abhishek Moond from Rajasthan’s Sikar district trained alongside the Australian Test team for two weeks as part of a long-term partnership between the MRF Pace Foundation and Cricket Australia.MRF Pace Foundation Program Manager and Head Coach M. Senthilnathan said it was an absolute pleasure to watch the two youngsters in the first few days.“They were like kids in a sweet shop, pinching themselves. They were overwhelmed for the first two days,” Senthilnathan told TimesofIndia.com from Brisbane.

Vasu is from Bihar and Abhishek from Rajasthan. They come from smaller towns in our country. To train with Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood is something they would not have imagined in their wildest dreams.

M. Senthilnathan

“Vasu is from Bihar and Abhishek is from Rajasthan. They are from the smaller towns of our country. To train with Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood is something they would not have imagined in their wildest dreams. But having said that, it was a great learning curve for them. They rubbed shoulders with two of the best in the world. They saw how they train, how they train, how they practice, how they play the most important points in which it most important. important for any fast bowler,” he added.The duo trained from 13 July to 24 July at Cricket Australia’s National Cricket Center (NCC) in Brisbane. They also attended training sessions involving the Australian men’s Test team at Allan Border Field.“Getting the opportunity to train with the Australian senior team was an incredible experience,” Moond told the website.“The whole environment is different. The batsmen are of the highest quality so you have to be consistent and bowl in the right areas. I’ve learned that I need to bowl the ball a bit fuller than my usual back end.“The bounce and movement was excellent and the experience was fantastic. Training with players of this caliber is a huge confidence booster. At my age, getting the opportunity to train alongside cricketers I’ve watched since childhood is very special. I’m sure I’ll learn a lot from them.”

Bihar’s Vasudev Prasad Singh in the nets at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane. (Cricket Australia)

Like Moond, Vasudev Prasad Singh believes the experience goes far beyond just sharing nets with Australia’s Test stars. For him, it’s an opportunity to learn the finer aspects of fast bowling in conditions that reward pace and discipline.“The biggest advantage of this tour is the opportunity to train with the Australian senior team. We can learn so much from them. The environment here is excellent and the conditions are ideal for fast bowling,” said Vasudev Prasad Singh.

For someone who spent most of his formative years on the mat wickets, it was an experience he will never forget.

Coached by Ashok Kumar Vasudev Prasad Singh

“We are able to bowl long spells which helps us improve our skills. Exposure like this is hugely important for cricketers. Bowling with world class batsmen in favorable conditions teaches you where to bowl, how to plan your spells and how to set the pitch.”Ashok Kumar, a former Bihar cricketer who has worked with the likes of Sakib Hussain and Mohammad Izhar, two other promising pacers from the state, shared an interesting story about his protege.

Abhishek Moond (centre) with Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc during training at Allan Border Field in Brisbane. (Cricket Australia)

“For someone who spent most of his formative years on the wickets, it was an experience he will never forget. Vasu has represented Bihar at Under-19 and Under-23 levels and has all the attributes to play for India. He has very good spin. He is still raw but will be a finished product in a few years,” Ashok said.Senthilnathan echoed Kumar’s sentiments.“They’re good guys. Their work ethic is outstanding. They train hard. They’re still raw, but they’re only going to get better from here,” he said.

Budding pacers Abhishek Moond and Vasudev Prasad Singh visited Australia along with former India fast bowler Tina Yohannan and MRF Pace Foundation Program Manager and Head Coach M. Senthilnathan for a two-week high performance programme. (Cricket Australia)

The visit is part of a high-powered exchange program that has linked Indian and Australian cricket for more than three decades, making it one of the sport’s longest-running international development partnerships.The MRF Pace Foundation and Cricket Australia have been working together since 1992, building on Australian pace legend Dennis Lillee’s association with the foundation after it was established in Chennai in 1987.

Vasudev Prasad Singh (centre) with Australian pacers Josh Hazlewood (left) and Mitchell Starc (right). (Cricket Australia)

The program allows young Indian cricketers to familiarize themselves with Australian conditions and training methods, while Australian players hone their skills in subcontinental conditions. This partnership helped shape several leading fast bowlers. Australian greats Glenn McGrath, Mitchell Johnson and Brett Lee have all been associated with the foundation, while Indian stars such as Javagal Srinath and Zaheer Khan are among those who have benefited from its development.Looking ahead, Senthilnathan believes the stint in Brisbane will be a defining chapter in the youngster’s development.

Vasudev Prasad Singh and Abhishek Moond trained alongside the Australian Test team for two weeks as part of a long-term partnership between the MRF Pace Foundation and Cricket Australia. (Cricket Australia)

“We have a long association with Cricket Australia and it has helped so many Indian pacers over the years. We have seen what Prafull Hinje and Sakib Hussain have done after coming here. Prafull spent three weeks training in Brisbane and came back with a different bowler. Experiences like these accelerate growth. Vasu and Abhishek are still raw but have the attitude to see years of work.” he said.