I am very much eyeing the England tour: Parvinder Awana

Kolkata: Kings XI Punjab pacer Parvinder Awana has set his sights on the upcoming tour of England to make a comeback into the Indian cricket team.

The 27-year-old Awana, who has played for India in two T20s, has impressed KXIP bowling coach Joe Dawes, who is hoping that the bowler gets back into the national team. “I am very much eyeing the England tour. In fact, only last night, I was jokingly telling Joe Dawes that we have three matches left in this IPL and let me play all of them. I’ll take five wickets in each game and book a seat on that plane for England,” Awana said.

“But seriously, it was my target coming into this IPL to showcase my skills and fitness and try to make an India comeback.”

Awana, who, unlike a lot of other Indian bowlers, relies on pace rather than swing and variations, said the presence of two Australians – Joe Dawes and Mitchell Johnson – in KXIP helped him a lot.

“I have been talking a lot to them. To be honest, my pace had gone down during the initial part of the tournament and I wasn’t putting as much effort as I needed to. That’s when Joe Dawes sat me down and reminded me what I am capable of.

“I think I swayed away a bit from my basics and got into the relaxed mode. By making me sit out for a few matches, he gave me the kick I needed and pushed me to get right what I am known for,” he was quoted as saying in IPL’s official website.

“I told the captain (George Bailey) that in the time I sat out, I have worked on my pace and I think I’m there again,” Awana said after his team’s win over Delhi Daredevils on Sunday.

Awana said he speaks mainly about pace with Johnson. “I speak a lot to him about pace. I asked him what he does to keep his pace up on a consistent basis. He asked me to just keep working on my fitness.

“He said ‘If you are capable of bowling between 140 and 145, you will not get to 150 no matter how hard you work on your bowling or fitness. But if you ignore your physical fitness, your pace will slip’.”

PTI