Aussie pace bowling legend Glenn McGrath, in the city for yet another coaching stint at the MRF Pace Foundation, believed yorkers would play a critical role in the upcoming ICC World Twenty20.
Director of Coaching at the foundation, McGrath said here on Monday, “A perfect yorker is the one that hits the bottom of the bat and the ground at the same time. You need control to execute the delivery. It’s a wicket-taking delivery. And unlike the slower ball, you can also set fields to defend runs when a yorker is sent down.”
McGrath said he saw paceman Jasprit Bumrah, who bowled some telling yorkers down under recently, in action. “He’s got an unusual bowling action. Many batsmen haven’t seen much of him. He bowled some good yorkers.”
Execution is key
The Aussie added, “Malinga too has an unusual action and he bowls some very potent yorkers. Again, it boils down to execution. What I try to do is to refine bowling actions not change them. A paceman has to get the maximum out of his action, bowling as quick as he possibly can, with the least chance of getting injured. That’s how his action should be.”
McGrath shifted his attention to MRF Pace bowling trainee Nathu Singh, who was such a big hit at the IPL auction earlier this month. “He’s got pace and he’s prepared to listen. I hate it when paceman who have the speed sacrifice it to bowl with control. You need to go to the nets and learn to bowl fast and with control. I’m really excited about Nathu.”
The Australian felt India would be among the favourites going into the ICC World Twenty20. “India has played well in the Twenty20 format. The sub-continental conditions should suit them.”
Talking about flat tracks in Australia these days, McGrath said, “They are mainly due to the drop-in pitches. They prepare them so well. A wicket should deteriorate with time and that is not happening. They are just too good for batting and have become lop-sided in favour of batsmen.”
McGrath also felt teams while chasing totals, however daunting, in the shorter formats have lost fear. “There is no fear in chasing big totals anymore. Apart from the pitches, it is also because batsmen are playing so many more shots.”
The Australian pace ace said Shane Watson will be critical for Australia’s success in World Twenty20. He also had words of praise for skipper Steven Smith. “I’m a big fan of Steven. I like his attitude. He gets the results.”
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