Chennai: Medium pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji said on Saturday that he was ready to take a fitness test on Tuesday to be in contention for a place in the national side for the West Indies tour.
"It is a challenge. You have to face up to it. I am to be tested for match fitness by Indian team trainer John Gloster in Mumbai next week. If everything goes well, I will be in contention for a place (for the West Indies tour)," Balaji said.
"Everything is going as per plan. Doctors in Melbourne told me that I should be bowling again in May second week. I am now to prove my match fitness to Gloster," he said while attending to his physical exercises along with India's new pace find S Sreesanth and other MRF Pace Academy wards, under the watchful eyes of trainer Ramji Srinivasan.
The Indian team to play three Tests against the West Indies will be picked in Mumbai either on May 23 or 24.
Balaji had last played a Test in Bangalore in the third match against Pakistan last year.
The Tamil Nadu star, known for his whiplash bowling action, was first injured when India toured England in 2004 and was out of action for almost a year, before making it to the side when Pakistan toured here. He claimed nine wickets in that series.
Balaji tallies 27 wickets in the eight Tests he has played.
As for his injury, Balaji said, "it was stress fracture of the lower back, which surfaced last November. It could not be properly diagnosed here. But Dr John Graham of Melbourne, where I spent 20 days, advised me against surgery."
Balaji thanked the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association for sponsoring his trip to Melbourne in March last for treatment.
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