IPL 2012: Doug Bollinger looks to set pace for Chennai Super Kings

He is the face of the Chennai Super Kings pace attack. In the hot and humid conditions of Chennai, it's not always easy for a pace bowler to make it count on a day-to-day basis. But Aussie Doug Bollinger has done exactly that for the last two years and it won't be different this time around.

"I love playing for CSK. I'm now attached to this team and always look forward to this phase of the year," Bollinger said ahead of his first practice session on Sunday.

He is recovering from a hamstring injury that kept him out of Australia's tour of the West Indies and he arrived in Chennai on Sunday only after Cricket Australia cleared him for the tournament.

"Now I am feeling completely fit. I am only 30 now and if I do well here I am sure it will help me work my way back into the national side," the paceman added.

This year, Bollinger will have an Australian for company in the latter half of the IPL. Ben Hilfenhaus has been brilliant in the international circuit and when he comes back from West Indies to join CSK, the pace attack will have a potent look to it.

"The left-right combination will be of great help as it adds to the variation. He swings the ball around and I am looking forward to forge a great partnership with him," Bollinger added.

The Chepauk track is generally a graveyard for pacemen and it was at its worst when the Super Kings played the last time around during the Champions League in September-October. Bollinger, though, feels that the track that is currently on offer "has some grass on it which will allow the ball to carry quite well".

But then, this is still early days and there's every possibility that the grass will be shaved off before the ball rolls. CSK have a lot of quality spinners in the lineup and Bollinger simply smiled when told about the prospect of another dead track where the ball does nothing for the pacemen.

Chennai Super Kings, Chennai, Doug Bollinger, First Practice Session, Hamstring Injury, Australia, West Indies, Cricket Australia, IPL, Ben Hilfenhaus, Chepauk Track, Champions League