Vital tips by former Australian wicketkeepers Rodney Marsh and Ian Healy helped the Indian wicketkeeper Sameer Dighe perform well on the recently concluded tour of Zimbabwe.

A beaming Dighe told PTI in Mumbai today that the legendary Aussie wicketkeeper Marsh had passed on a few tips to him during the conditioning camp in Bangalore which helped a lot.

"As if that was not enough, Healy spent some time with me during the Harare Test match. I was delighted when he made the first move and wanted to help me out," he said.

"Healy, who was in Harare to participate in the benefit tie for former Zimbabwe Test star Eddo Brandes, is a remarkable man and can spot any flaws by just watching others behind the stumps. I soaked in all the knowledge when he gave some important tips in the lobby of our hotel," Dighe said.

"In fact, I was really touched when Healy told me that I can call him up for help even if it is two in the morning and the most important tip he gave was to move with the ball. He also told me to maintain a diary and note down the good and bad things every day," Dighe added.

When asked about his unbeaten 94 in the tri-series final against the West Indies on Saturday, the Mumbai player said, "I used Sachin's (Tendulkar) bat which was much heavier than the one I normally use. In fact, it was Sachin who advised me to do so as I would get more power in my strokes. However, I feel very sad that we fell short by 16 runs," Dighe said.

Only yesterday, the chairman of the selection committee Chandu Borde had said that Dighe was a much improved wicketkeeper now.

© PTI