The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Fast bowlers need guidance from expert

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Friday, Oct 12, 2007
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Sport - Cricket

Fast bowlers need guidance from expert

G. Viswanath

Many bowlers have benefited from Tyson’s knowledge
Rest of India did not have a bowling coach

Mumbai: India’s fast bowlers need urgent guidance from an expert to impart assorted skills like variation in speed, swing, cut, short balls, bouncers, yorker-lengths, manipulation of the seam, attitude, crease-management and most significantly to appear hostile.

Most of them need to tighten their basics like run-up, acceleration and the rock back, transferring body-weight and the follow-through actions. Munaf Patel, Ishant Sharma, Yomahesh, Vikram Raj Vir Singh and many more in the Indian team need to master the craft for maximum results in first class matches and internationals.

More than a decade ago, the BCA-Mafatlal Bowling Scheme worked wonders and produced highly-satisfying results for Mumbai cricket. Salil Ankola, Abey Kuruvilla and Paras Mhambrey took advantage of Frank Tyson’s expertise. There were many more who benefited from Tyson’s knowledge of how to operate with the shining and old ball.

Time for proper system

Someone like Balwinder Singh Sandhu and Kenia Jayantilal also broadened their knowledge on fast bowling and the art of spin bowling. It’s time the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) puts in place a proper system for the present set of fast bowlers to acquire skills in order to advance their careers. The process has to start to create competent bench strength.

The BCCI has worked out an arrangement with the Chennai-based MRF Pace Academy for corrective measures imparted there by Denis Lillee. But the BCCI needs someone to work frequently with the present crop of the talented youngsters.

Perhaps there is none other than the former England fast bowler, Tyson who can be engaged for the specific purpose with the objective of achieving long-term goals. From a larger perspective, the BCCI can also create opportunities for Kuruvilla, Mhambrey, W.V. Raman and a few more with passion for coaching at the junior level.

The Rest of India that won the Irani Cup at Rajkot did not have a coach, for the bowling department in particular. The BCCI erred in not appointing one. Munaf was out of sorts in the first innings and Ishant Sharma and Ranadeb Bose bowled well within themselves in hot weather, but on a surface that demanded clever use. The wicket prepared by Rasik Makwana, an old hand at the Race Course Road venue and guided by the BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah was good for the fast bowlers and batsmen with adequate skills for stroke-making.

No consistency

Without taking anything away, the performances of Sahil Kukreja (110), Abhishek Nair (118), Parthiv Patel (179 and 60 not out) and Manoj Tiwary (130), were not truly tested by the fast bowlers. Mumbai’s Ajit Agarkar, who touched speeds of 135kmph, looked good in his first innings spell with the new ball and when he trapped Mohammad Kaif, but he did not look the part thereafter.

Rajesh Verma used the seam to be effective in patches, but he bowled at an average speed of 125kmph. Ishant Sharma and Munaf Patel used their height and short balls tactically for better results on the third and fourth day.

Munaf had flattering figures of five for 25, but he, like most bowlers of his ilk, needs to possess not only the fast bowler’s mindset, but also to arm himself with variety. “He got his rhythm, and he looked great, and hence is among wickets in the second innings,” said Amay Khurasia, former MP and India batsman and now on the commentary panel of Neo Sports.

Sanjay Bangar and V.B. Chandrashekar, both on duty for Neo Sports at Rajkot felt that Ishant, Munaf and Bose did not bowl in the right areas in the first innings. “Well, one can go on the backfoot for regulation frontfoot shots, the pitch is so slow,” said Bangar. The Rajkot pitch might have been slow and in the circumstances, the shortcomings of the fast-medium bowlers were glaringly exposed. They need assistance from an expert.

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