LAWSON

Jamaican fast bowlers Jermaine Lawson and Andrew Richardson arrived in Chennai, India yesterday for a 10-day training stint under the guidance of Australian great Dennis Lillee at MRF Pace Foundation.

The camp, which starts today is geared at taking "corrective steps" in Lawson's bowling action, while Richardson, should be using the time to get over a recent injury.

The two made the trip through the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) in collaboration with First Global Bank.

Ideal candidates

Brian Breese, Chief Operation Officer at the JCA, said they got two places at the MRF Pace Foundation and Lawson and Richardson were the ideal candidates.

He said Lawson, "has had problems and we thought it would be good for him to talk and work with Lillee for two weeks.

Lawson, who made his Test debut for the West Indies team in 2002 in India, had since had mixed fortune in his career. After taking a career-best of 7-78 in the first innings against Australia in Antigua three years ago, Lawson has been dogged by a suspect bowling action and injuries.

He has twice been reported for suspect action and has also suffered from spinal stress fracture and back injuries.

In 13 Test matches, Lawson has taken 51 wickets at an average of 29.64 while his 17 in ODI came in 13 matches at 29.29.

Meanwhile, according to Breese, Richardson's selection was made easier because he was already in England with the West Indies A team.

"We thought he (Richardson) would be a good candidate as well," Breese pointed out.

Richardson who has also played for University of West Indies, University of West Indies Vice-Chancellor's XI, West Indies B and West Indies A, opened his first class career with 22 wickets in the 2002-2003 Carib Beer Series.

- A.F.