Shami rues ‘lack of edges’ in fine show
The Indian fast bowling coming of age will be the silver lining in the back-to-back Test series losses in South Africa and England. India bowlers took 20 wickets in six of the eight matches, though both series ended in defeat. Of the 82 wickets taken by Indian bowlers in the five-Test series against England, pacers have shared 61 -- Ishant Sharma (18), Mohammed Shami (16), Jasprit Bumrah (14), Hardik Pandya (10) and Umesh Yadav (3).
However, the fast bowlers looked fatigued in the final Test at the Oval, and were hamstrung on Day 4 after Ishant left the field in the first over due to an ankle problem. India had fielded only three pacers – all-rounder Pandya was dropped for debutant Hanuma Vihari as the sixth batsman – and Ishant’s absence meant extra workload.
It made life easier for Alastair Cook, who struck a brilliant 147 in his farewell Test, and skipper Joe Root, who made 125. India, hoping to draw the game, were 58/3 at stumps in their second innings
going into the final day of the tour. Shami beat the bat countless times without reward in the first innings. Cook, who hit 71, and Moeen Ali, 50, somehow survived his brilliant spells.
Shami has been the pick of the lot, but at the Oval, he didn’t get a wicket till his 34th over, until the second innings when he bowled opener Keaton Jennings. He had one more, Jonny Bairstow with the second new ball, but by then the hosts were far ahead.
“Luck is also a factor,” he said. “When you bowl with the new ball, your first priority is line and length. Luck also determines whether you get a wicket or not, but it is definitely frustrating. I say unlucky because I beat the bat so many times. It’s okay, you have to accept it.”
At one point during England’s second innings, the official broadcasters reckoned he had beaten the bat 43 tim the match. T were a few m Ishant’ absence did help.
“It’s to when you ar bowler short as load will be higher. But it’s (Ishant injury) is not that serious. It happens sometimes, when a bowler feels discomfort he leaves the field to prevent aggrav t the injury. It’s all about the understanding among us w - ers, that we can do it even if we are a bowler short.”
Shami said watching the vid eos of England’s James And and Stuart Broad was useful going into the series.
“We got to learn a lot. When came in 2014, I was not this x time rienced or mature. This I watched a lot of videos of Ander son and Broad, which areas the bowl, especially in England conditions. As you saw, compared to the last time, we were better. We learnt, especially when you are playing in someone’s home ground, what they do, what you have to focus on.”