Post by Punjab2000 on Jun 3, 2005 21:32:44 GMT
By Raj Johal, South London Press
HARBHAJAN Singh admits his head has been in a bit of a spin lately, but all he wants to do now is concentrate on what he does best - taking wickets.
The Indian off-spinner finally turned up at The Brit Oval this week, his arrival having been held up while the International Cricket Committee (ICC) investigated his bowling action.
The ICC gave Singh the all-clear last week and now Surrey's overseas star is aiming to repay the faith Surrey showed in him as they patiently played the waiting game.
The 24-year-old is grateful they never turned their attentions elsewhere as the county cricket season is already in full swing.
"Surrey is the biggest club in England and I'd like to thank them for waiting for me all this while in this tough situation I've been going through in verifying my action with the ICC," said Singh.
"It's good to be here. I feel proud to say I'll play for Surrey. I'm very much looking forward to just playing now.
"Whatever frustration I had is gone now and I want to move on from it and stop thinking about it.
"It's a time for me to look forward.
"Here, all I have to worry about is going out on the park, bowling and batting, and enjoying the game."
Singh is looking to make up for lost time, and his arrival has already boosted squad morale.
He will only be with the county until July 15, when he returns to his international commitments with India. But he feels that's long enough to make a big impact.
"I'm very happy to be here - I'm here until July 15," he said.
"So whatever games I can play in, I'll give it my best shot for my new team.
"I'd like to give the club something very special while I'm here.
"Steve Rixon has brought me here. Now we're on a mission. His mission is to win the championship, that's also my mission - we're working towards the same thing. Steve's said just enjoy your game. We both hope I'll be a success here."
Singh, of course, is a hero in his native Punjab. The country's Sikh community and the Indian cricket fans here will, no doubt, be desperate to get a glimpse of their hero.
The fiery youngster broke into the Indian one-day and Test sides in 1998 aged just 18, and has been a big hit since.
The finger-spinner, a rarity in the game these days, has played 45 Tests and taken 199 wickets. And his one-day record makes equally impressive reading, with 120 wickets from 98 outings.
He has, of course, been here in action with his country - and played at The Brit Oval. And he's looking forward to winning over the Surrey members, as well as hopefully recruiting some more Indian fans to the club.
"It's nice to be back in England," declared Singh.
"I know people love me here, I love them too. The Indian fans here have always been great to me, which is very important. I'd like them to come and cheer for me and Surrey now.
"I've got lots of friends and family friends here and some relatives in Hounslow but playing county cricket is something I'm looking forward to.
"Whenever you play at a new club it's a new challenge - and one I am looking forward to.
"I think I'll be a better cricketer by the time I leave here.
"I'll get to learn a lot of things. I'll be living here on my own as well which means I'll learn a lot about myself as well."
see full report here
HARBHAJAN Singh admits his head has been in a bit of a spin lately, but all he wants to do now is concentrate on what he does best - taking wickets.
The Indian off-spinner finally turned up at The Brit Oval this week, his arrival having been held up while the International Cricket Committee (ICC) investigated his bowling action.
The ICC gave Singh the all-clear last week and now Surrey's overseas star is aiming to repay the faith Surrey showed in him as they patiently played the waiting game.
The 24-year-old is grateful they never turned their attentions elsewhere as the county cricket season is already in full swing.
"Surrey is the biggest club in England and I'd like to thank them for waiting for me all this while in this tough situation I've been going through in verifying my action with the ICC," said Singh.
"It's good to be here. I feel proud to say I'll play for Surrey. I'm very much looking forward to just playing now.
"Whatever frustration I had is gone now and I want to move on from it and stop thinking about it.
"It's a time for me to look forward.
"Here, all I have to worry about is going out on the park, bowling and batting, and enjoying the game."
Singh is looking to make up for lost time, and his arrival has already boosted squad morale.
He will only be with the county until July 15, when he returns to his international commitments with India. But he feels that's long enough to make a big impact.
"I'm very happy to be here - I'm here until July 15," he said.
"So whatever games I can play in, I'll give it my best shot for my new team.
"I'd like to give the club something very special while I'm here.
"Steve Rixon has brought me here. Now we're on a mission. His mission is to win the championship, that's also my mission - we're working towards the same thing. Steve's said just enjoy your game. We both hope I'll be a success here."
Singh, of course, is a hero in his native Punjab. The country's Sikh community and the Indian cricket fans here will, no doubt, be desperate to get a glimpse of their hero.
The fiery youngster broke into the Indian one-day and Test sides in 1998 aged just 18, and has been a big hit since.
The finger-spinner, a rarity in the game these days, has played 45 Tests and taken 199 wickets. And his one-day record makes equally impressive reading, with 120 wickets from 98 outings.
He has, of course, been here in action with his country - and played at The Brit Oval. And he's looking forward to winning over the Surrey members, as well as hopefully recruiting some more Indian fans to the club.
"It's nice to be back in England," declared Singh.
"I know people love me here, I love them too. The Indian fans here have always been great to me, which is very important. I'd like them to come and cheer for me and Surrey now.
"I've got lots of friends and family friends here and some relatives in Hounslow but playing county cricket is something I'm looking forward to.
"Whenever you play at a new club it's a new challenge - and one I am looking forward to.
"I think I'll be a better cricketer by the time I leave here.
"I'll get to learn a lot of things. I'll be living here on my own as well which means I'll learn a lot about myself as well."
see full report here
