Binny hopes to justify all-rounder tag as 'tough' SA series looms

BENGALURU: All-rounder Stuart Binny is nearly two years old in international cricket and has figured in 13 ODIs and five Tests. Yet the Karnataka all-rounder has never really got an opportunity to show what he's capable of. Assessing his performance in India's recent tour of Sri Lanka, Test skipper Virat Kohli had felt the Karnataka all-rounder would get better with more opportunities.Binny endorsed his captain's views but felt off-field preparations too were crucial.
"Every day I play cricket, I learn something from the game. As Virat (Kohli) said, the more opportunities I get the better I will do. That's very true but it also has to come from within. Preparation off the field will also help," said Binny on the second day of Team India's conditioning camp ahead of their home series against South Africa starting next month. Elaborating on his no-ball delivery that denied his maiden Test scalp when he got the wicket of Sri Lanka's Kaushal Silva in the second Test, Binny said: "When I got him to nick in that game I was happy but I had to wait a while to get a Test wicket. I was disappointed because in the nets, we always ensured that we did not bowl no balls," said Binny, whose first Test victim was Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews.
On the perception that he is lethal with the new ball, Binny said he can be effective with the old ball as well. "I can swing the new ball but I also enjoy bowling with the semi new ball and the old ball as well. It brings in several variations. In ODI cricket, you've got to go to your skills ­ the slower bouncer and the off-cutter. The off-cutter is one of my strengths," said Binny, who holds the best figures by an Indian in ODIs with his six wickets for four runs during their tour of Bangladesh last year.
Binny said his role was to bring balance to the team by contributing with both bat and ball. "It's pretty simple. I've got to contribute with both bat and ball. That is why I'm in the team. It's something I'm looking forward to doing for the Indian team as well," he said.
Binny said the home series against South Africa will be fought hard because of the quality of players in the Proteas ranks. "It's a very important series not only for me but for the entire Indian team as well. South Africa are a quality side in all formats. It's going to be a hard-fought series," he said.

Speed, agility drills dominate day 2
If the first day of Team India's conditioning camp was all about medical checks and fitness assessments, the second day was grueling as the 32 probables went through their paces at the National Cricket Academy here to prepare for the home series against South Africa. The players trooped into the academy in four batches for physical training.
Newly-appointed physio Patrick Farhart of Australia and conditioning coach Shankar Basu put the players on speed and agility drills with short sprints indoors. Strengthening exercises and weight training were also part of their training on Tuesday. During the breaks, some top players were seen testing their badminton skills.
The players are expected to train indoors on Wednesday too before hitting the nets on Thursday. The camp will conclude on Sunday. The series begins with a T20 match at Dharamsala on October 2.
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