Aus will be tough for pacers: Nehra

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Bumrah is a much more skilful redball bowler than what he is perceived to be. His yorkers will come in very handy with the old Kookaburra ball.

ASHISH NEHRA, Ex-India pacer

NEWDELHI:India’s pace attack has been a revelation this year on overseas tours but conditions in Australia will make it very challenging, reckons former speedster Ashish Nehra.

Nehra, who was part of the side that drew the 2003-04 Test series in Australia 1-1, said: “The Australian team is going through a massive restructuring and this is India’s best chance, without doubt. We have the bowling attack to beat them. But we need to be mindful that conditions will be much tougher – wickets will be flat and weather would be on the warmer side,” he said in an interview.

“In Australia, you will get extra bounce but there will only be lateral movement till the Kookaburra (ball) seam doesn’t flatten. It won’t be like England where the ball swings all day. Once you adjust to the bounce, batsmen can hit you all day.”

The harder grounds will also take a toll on the bowlers.

“In England, if your fast bowler takes a couple of wickets in a six-over spell, the captain is tempted to give two or three more overs (to) get a couple of more wickets. In Australia, it may not be such a good idea all the time in sultry conditions.”

Nehra expects Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma and either Mohammed Shami or Umesh Yadav to start in the first Test in Adelaide, starting on Dec 6.

“I don’t see Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar) starting in the first Test at least. He can struggle a bit with the old Kookaburra as it will neither swing or seam, unlike Dukes or SG Test.”

Nehra said Umesh Yadav will be an asset due to his fitness and skill sets.

“I still believe Umesh is not a finished product after eight years but someone who has incredible skill sets. He is a strong lad and the fittest among all Indian pacers.”

Ishant’s stamina will also be vital. “The 87 Tests he has played is a testimony to his fitness. Often people will look at the wickets column (256), but bowling 35-40 overs for more than decade requires special skills.

“Whether it’s me or RP Singh or S Sreesanth, we had more skills as fast bowlers than Ishant. … But then Ishant has been fit for so long, so let’s give credit where it is due.”

INDIA’S BEST CHANCE, SAYS GANGULY

KOLKATA: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly said India had their best chance to win a Test series in Australia with Steve Smith and David Warner still serving their bans. “This is like the Indian team not having Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. It’s a huge factor,” he said.

“This is their best opportunity to beat Australia, but you also have to keep in mind that Australia in Australia is a different kettle of fish.”