SHAMI’S GRAND RETURN

spot for long periods of time and that is why we were successful. On slow wickets, the batsmen don’t expect the short ball. So, that was our plan to bowl the short delivery as it would fetch us wickets.”

About staying away from cricket for 18 months, Shami mentioned “It has almost been 18 months since I last played a Test. I got injured in Australia and underwent a surgery. My wife helped me a lot through the period as I was bed ridden for two months. In the same time, our baby (daughter) was born and that calmed me down as I was upset at getting injured since I was bowling really well. The birth of my baby helped me take the focus away from the game and I could reenergize myself. Also in the same period, I had put on about 15 kgs. I resumed my training and worked really hard in the NCA and then during the preparation camp. I felt that today I could carry on from where I had left. I didn’t feel like there was any extra load. Today, I felt I bowled the same manner that I used to.” — Agencies