Jeff Thomson to train Mumbai pacers ahead of domestic season

Mumbai: Having missed touring India during his cricket career, former Australian fast bowler Jeff Thomson arrived here early this morning to impart his knowledge to Mumbai pace bowlers through a joint initiative by MCA and IDBI Federal Life Insurance.

The 64-year-old Thomson, who formed a deadly fast bowling partnership with Dennis Lillee that terrorised the world's batsmen in the 1970s, has been contracted to be the guiding force for a two-year term for the MCA-IDBI Life Insurance Bowling Foundation scheme.

This initiative by Mumbai Cricket Association has come a quarter century after unearthing bowlers who went on to play for the country through an earlier bowling scheme.

The MCA's plan, announced in July, is to have 'Thommo' put the selected Mumbai bowlers (20-25) through their paces ahead of the 2015-16 domestic cricket season.

He's set to return in May next year after the conclusion of the first-class season to coach the bowlers for another month, MCA had announced earlier.

There's a likelihood of him returning during the Ranji season too, to watch the bowlers picked for the scheme parading their skills, it was learnt.

The scheme is the brainchild of Makarand Waingankar, who had interacted with former Mumbai Ranji pacer and IDBI Federal Life Insurance CEO Vignesh Shahane to bring the company on board as the main sponsors.

Shahane made it clear at last month's scheme announcement that the bowling foundation was not part of any CSR initiative of IDBI Federal Life Insurance.

"I am a passionate follower of Mumbai cricket, but this is not a CSR initiative," Shahane had said.