Australian bowling legend Dennis Lillee’s fruitful association with Chennai — precisely the MRF Pace Foundation — will come to an end this year. The owner of 355 Test wickets has called it quits after serving for 25 years at the pace school. The ever-optimistic Lillee, who had to sweat blood at the academy before his efforts bore fruit, is certain that the speedsters’ haven would continue to produce quality cricketers.

Lillee, who is on his regular annual trip, will make a fleeting visit again to train his wards for one last time in August before his successor takes charge. After a session with budding pacers on Monday, the Aussie star sat down for a chat with this newspaper, where he touched upon various topics including the decision to leave, the memories (good and bad) that he takes back from his tenure and also recalled an incident when he was perplexed by a certain 15-year-old batsman named Sachin Tendulkar.

Excerpts from the interview
On the MRF trainees: I am extremely excited with this set of youngsters. They are all in the age group of 18 to 20 and are forever eager to climb the ladder. I have absolutely no doubt that they have their best days ahead of them.

On his decision to quit: It wasn’t an easy call indeed. But then, one of the main reasons behind this decision is that I don’t want to travel anymore. I have decided not to stay away from my family for lengthy periods. But of course, I would love to go on holidays, which have actually been overdue. Frankly, I’m a bit exhausted but I would still love to coach and I wouldn’t mind doing the same in my hometown (Perth). And again, I am 63 now — an age where you would do well to look into newer options.

On his biggest achievement at the academy: MRF is my baby and I am proud of the way things have panned out here. I had to build the school from scratch and being able to formulate a successful story is my pride and joy. I had a fantastic outing here. I am someone who always wants things to be done my way and this place allowed me to be myself. It is a triumphant moment for all of us here to see Zaheer Khan climb the ranks at the international level. Seeing an 18-year-old who hit the deck hard mature into a great fast bowler with longevity reflects the success we have had here. There have been others too but Zaheer was the most impressive to come out.

On what annoyed him the most: The coaches here in India had a different mindset back then, so it was naturally going to be hard. There were quite a lot of doubting Thomases and there was a time when I wanted to leave just a couple of years into the job. But my wife injected confidence and talked me out of it. I am happy things aren’t the way they used to be.

On the challenges: When I came in, I noticed three main things that the boys lacked — they never took physical exercises seriously, lacked in technique and were not being mentally tough. They would bowl for four hours split into two sessions on a daily basis — this might work for a spinner all right. So, I made them do exercises in the morning and held the bowling sessions later in the day. As for the technique, they bowled too much side on and their arm came over too much while delivering. I made them try a particular action after discussing with bio-mechanists and the likes. It was no breakthrough but a refinement.

On his successor: There are some big names on the potential list such as Glenn McGrath, Troy Cooley, Craig McDermott, Alan Donald, et al. We will try and zero-in on the best-suited man for the job.
On the BCCI not giving him the due: It wasn’t something new to me (referring to his acerbic relationship with the Australian Cricket Board). So, I guess the problem lied with me (laughs). Yes, I was a bit disappointed.

On his best wards: That’s a hard one to pick. But Zaheer, Javagal Srinath (part-time trainee at the MRF) and Venkatesh Prasad would top the list. Munaf Patel, to me, has been a disappointment. He had the natural gift of speed but someone has obviously (mis)guided him to drop pace. S. Sreesanth, too, is a big let down. For the talent he showcased, he has actually disappointed himself more than anyone else.

On meeting Sachin for the first time: I certainly did reject a 14-year-old five-foot nothing’s proposal to become a pacer in 1987 — didn’t I do a huge favour for him? (laughs). He came back a year later and this time he was padded up with the wood clasped in his palms. Sachin smashed the first ball straight back over the bowler’s head and I said ‘well that could be a fluke’.

So, I asked the next bowler to adjust his length — the promptly followed advice was yet again flicked for four disdainfully. I had a go at my bowlers but to no avail as the subsequent short-pitched delivery disappeared out of the park. I was awed by his talent and asked T.A. Sekar (then head coach at the academy) ‘Who is this man?’ Sekar responded: ‘He is someone you rejected. His name is Sachin.’

To me, his name sounded like ‘Searching’ and I shot back saying: ‘Mark my words, this lad will not only search for runs he will also go on to get many during his search.’ And as history would have it, he is one of the greatest players ever to put the boots on.

On his associates at the academy: I am indebted to Sekar and the current head-coach M. Senthilnathan for their services. I thank the entire MRF family for giving me this lovely opportunity.