Finch: 'Knuckle ball a powerful weapon for bowlers'

“You see guys are coming with two, three, four different types of slower balls. But I think once more players start following it, then the batsmen will start playing it better,” said Aaron Finch of the usage of slower deliveries in T20.

Aaron Finch believes that the packed schedule of the IPL and its frequent travel have its pitfalls.

Gujarat Lions (GL) batsman Aaron Finch said that knuckle ball has become a powerful weapon for bowlers in the Indian Premier League. But once batsmen start getting used to it, he said, they will start playing it better.

“It is a very good ball, it’s something the fast bowlers have started to develop a lot,” Finch said when asked about the knuckle ball.

“You see guys are coming with two, three, four different types of slower balls. But I think once more players start following it, then the batsmen will start playing it better,” he told reporters here during an event.

Dhawal Kulkarni, who was also present at the event, said it’s hard to practice bowling the knuckle ball.

“A bowler can perfect it only with extensive practice,” Kulkarni said.

Gujarat Lions's campaign this season has been in a disarray and it is struggling at the seventh place in the points table. It will play Kings XI Punjab on Sunday.

About losing a close game against Delhi Daredevils, Finch said, “T20 is a game that can change so much. If you win your first match that’s very close, you tend to win any other close ones in future. But when you start losing them, it starts to become a mental game. We’ve still played some good cricket, but not just good enough.”

“There is still a lot to play for, winning matches for the franchise is still very important and we are going to try and achieve that,” said the Australian.

Lions have suffered a body blow, losing their opener Brendon McCullum, who will miss the remaining matches after suffering a hamstring strain.

“He is in New Zealand, he has gone home. He has been a wonderful player for the franchise and we are going to miss him,” Finch said.

Injuries are not ideal but part of our sport. Compressed tournament & long travel can be gruelling. Sorry for not being there all the way.

— Brendon McCullum (@Bazmccullum) May 5, 2017

 

Asked about McCullum's tweet that said "Injuries are not ideal but part of our sport. Compressed tournament & long travel can be gruelling," Finch said he agreed with the Kiwi.

“It takes a big toll, I think the fast bowlers in particular. You play a match and then you are sitting in a bus or an aircraft,” he said, adding the packed schedule and frequent travel have its pitfalls.

Notably, before McCullum’s hamstring strain, Andrew Tye was ruled out of the tournament with a dislocated shoulder.

Tye sustained the injury on April 29 when he dived to stop a boundary at deep square leg during GL's match against Mumbai Indians.

“I think you have seen a lot of injuries throughout this IPL on the back of a lot of travel and a lot of games without much rest. But that’s part of the game and something you can’t control,” Finch said.