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Seamers on song swung it India’s way

S. Ram Mahesh

CRICKET / Pathan, R.P. Singh and Ishant Sharma used the Kookaburra ball to telling effect

— Photo: AFP

TERRIFIC TRIO: Ishant Sharma, Irfan Pathan and R.P. Singh (right) proved more than a handful for the Australians at Perth.

Perth: As ever, the obituary writers have arrived first, portents of a darkening mood, saying ‘I told you so’ with undisguised relish.

If they are to be believed, this Australian side is beatable, the halo has been returned to the celestial peg, and Ricky Ponting’s men will not so much crash to earth as flutter down slowly like leaves in the wind.

That it has taken one defeat to call forth such pronouncements in Australia reflects the magnitude of the home side’s dominance over the last decade and, to a lesser extent, the verve with which India has played its cricket.

This much is certain: the India-Australia rivalry has been restored as the marquee series of world cricket, irrespective of where it is staged.

Better team

For, make no mistake, India comprehensively won the battle of skills at the WACA, out-bowling, out-batting and out-catching Australia in its bastion.

Anil Kumble’s men responded resolutely every time the match was in flux, handling the pressure better than Australia.

Two recent trends were evident in the 72-run conquest: nearly every member contributed vitally, but no one stood out; and the fast-medium bowlers led the way, terminating Australia’s first innings in 50 overs.

Most exceptional was how skilfully the young attack swung the Kookaburra ball — not usually prone to such aerial gymnastics. Even Ishant Sharma, who can hit the deck at pace, swerved it.

The most pressing question ahead of the series was whether the Indian bowlers would find other means of taking wickets if they failed to manipulate the Kookaburra through the air like they had the Duke in England. They didn’t need to at the WACA.

Swing bowling is an arcane, delicate art that seems to disintegrate rather easily: poor wrist positions, insufficient back-spin in release, recalcitrant balls, and conditions that are too wet or too dry, too still or too draughty — any of these (and several other indecipherables) can turn off swing.

Brave and skilful

But, R.P. Singh, who has evolved into a world-class opening bowler, Irfan Pathan, and Ishant consistently curved it through the air. The display was as skilful as it was brave. Swing presupposes a full length, and therefore engenders the drive.

For an inexperienced attack to have the strength of mind to keep the ball up was surprising. Consider this wasn’t the first-choice line-up, or the second or even the third, and the feat is singular.

The bowlers were helped by the fact that the WACA is one of the few grounds in the world that privileges the breeze.

Shallow grassy banks flank its sides, allowing the breeze a conduit across the playing strip. Still, the Indians made better use of the conditions than their counterparts.

Anil Kumble had his bowlers at the right ends, something Ricky Ponting failed at on the first morning, contributing to Virender Sehwag’s quick getaway. Moreover, R.P. and Pathan swung the ball on the second afternoon when there was no breeze.

Watching the bowlers deal with Matthew Hayden would have been interesting. There is no doubt Australia missed the cask-chested left-hander, who sat the third Test out with an injured hamstring.

Not only does Hayden have an excellent record in chases, but also presents two distinct threats to swing — an intimidating presence that freezes some bowlers, depriving them of the rhythm swing needs; and a belligerent forward-press, often a shimmy down the wicket, challenges a full length.

Unfazed

But, as all three Indian seamers showed — most notably Ishant in his spell against Ponting — they aren’t fazed by reputation. They also offered glimpses of being able to defeat batsmen in other ways.

Ishant’s cut and lift are definite weapons. R.P. has a particularly good bouncer that catches batsmen by surprise. He can scramble the seam causing the ball to hold its own from both over and around the wicket.

Pathan got two of his five wickets with bounce, bending his back in delivery, compensating for his minimal rock-back.

Decent pace

R.P. hit the mid 140s (kmph), Ishant clocked in between the late 130s and early 140s, and Pathan bowled in the early to mid 130s — not express, but powerful when allied to movement.

As England proved in 2005 (but couldn’t here in 2006-07), Australia’s batsmen are susceptible to swing, whether conventional or reverse. Adelaide, where Ponting expects the ball to swing, should be compelling theatre.

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