Venkatesh Prasad eyes more pace exploits

By N.Ananthanarayanan

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Indian fast bowlers need to maintain the momentum after a brilliant showing helped achieve their first test series win over Australia in seven years, bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad said on Wednesday.

He said India were likely to rotate the fast bowlers in the seven-match one-day series against England starting on Friday to preserve them for the two tests to follow.

"We can't take the foot off the gas," he told Reuters two days after completing a memorable 2-0 win over Australia.

"We've to take the confidence forward," he said. "(But) they need enough rest and recovery because it is physically and mentally demanding, particularly for the fast bowlers."

The seasoned Zaheer Khan and the 20-year-old Ishant Sharma played crucial roles against Australia, striking early blows and then troubling the batsmen by reverse-swinging the old ball to overcome slow pitches.

Ishant was named player of the series after taking 15 wickets and Zaheer took 11, backing mainline spinners Harbhajan Singh, Amit Mishra and Anil Kumble, who tallied 32.

The youngster is nursing an ankle strain that could sideline him for the start of the one-day series, local media have reported.

Former test paceman Prasad was confident Indian fast bowling had the depth to maintain the intensity against England.