Ashwin against left-handers preferred choice: McKenzie
LONDON: India’s premier off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin may be back in the mix after being dropped in the first two games and South Africa batting coach Neil McKenzie feels that the tweaker would be a preferred choice against his team.
With three left-handers in Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy and David Miller in the top six, it is imperative that Ashwin who can turn the ball away, would get a look in.
“When it comes to strategy, Ashwin against left-handers should be preferred choice but I think there’s quality at both ends and you need two good performances at the end of the day,” McKenzie said after his team’s optional net session at the indoor stadium of Lord’s ground.
However, McKenzie was quick to remind that South Africa had a good record against the Indian spinners during that high-scoring ODI series in 2015.
“I think they (Ashwin and Jadeja) have all had good records against us specially in Test matches but we will take confidence from the fact that we won the ODI series in India back in 2015. Both teams have got some serious options,” said the former right-handed batsman.
“If India lose, it’s the defending champions out of the tournament and if it’s South Africa, then No 1 side in the world goes out and we have played some consistent cricket. It’s two fantastic sides at a great venue playing a quarter final,” he said.
HAPPY WITH INDIA’S PACERS: MCGRATH
CHENNAI: Australia legend Glenn McGrath says it was good to see a crop of quality pacers emerging from India. “To see so many fast bowlers come through (from India) is wonderful. One has to really work hard as a bowler, especially a paceman. To see (many) people bowling at 140 kph-plus, high 140s (kph) is promising,” he said.
“They are going well. Umesh (Yadav) is doing exceptionally well at the moment, bowling at a good pace and picking up wickets too. (Bhuvneshwar) Kumar knows his game pretty well, gets it in the right areas; swings it at a decent pace.
“Jasprit Bumrah, we have done a little bit of work with him, has a unique action and is a unique bowler. He has done well in the shorter versions of the game, the T20s and ODIs.”