Yorkshire paceman Steven Kirby flew out to India today for two weeks training at the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai where he and Worcestershire fast bowler Kabir Ali will receive tuition from former Australian pace ace Dennis Lillee.

The two England hopefuls have been sent out by the England and Wales Cricket Board to mark the start of the ECB's new fast bowling talent identification programme which is designed to help with the development of elite squad bowlers.

Kirby, 26, has been Yorkshire's leading wicket-taker since joining the county two-and-a-half seasons ago and if any of England's pacemen fail on the forthcoming tour of the West Indies then Kirby could be in line for a Test debut this summer.

Kabir Ali, who is also on the fringe of Test selection, is already well known to Yorkshire fans after grabbing eight for 53 for his county at Scarborough last August, including the first seven Yorkshire wickets to fall.

In order to implement the programme, the ECB's National Academy fast bowling coach, Troy Cooley, is setting up and co-ordinating an elite fast bowling coaching and research group which will consist of seven specialists.

The appointments will be in place by the start of the season.

The group will have direct responsibility for all current England and National Academy fast bowlers as well an input into England age-group and young county academy bowlers.

"This is about a co-ordinated and structured approach to the development of our best quick bowlers," said Cooley.

"We are looking to coach and monitor our fast bowlers to help them perform more successfully and reduce the high injury rates. Equally important will be ensuring our coaches are kept abreast of the current information and coaching techniques.

"The aim is to continue raising the standard of fast bowling and coaching in England and Wales and provide a group of fast bowlers who are able to perform consistently on the international stage."

Updated: 10:54 Wednesday, February 11, 2004