Shami shows class on final day again
ATTACK MODE Shami combined his reverse-swinging ability with a relentless attack on the stumps
NEW DELHI: Fast bowlers usually play second fiddle to their slowbowling counterparts on the final day of tests on the sub-continent but Mohammed Shami’s performance in India’s test win over South Africa in Visakhapatnam on Sunday told a different story.
It has been almost a tradition for quicks to begin proceedings before retreating into the background to watch the spinners wreak havoc on fifth day dustbowls in the region.
The lack of carry on such tracks limits a quick’s scope for success, which often comes eit her by reverse swing or through a brain-fade moment by the batsmen.
On Sunday, Shami demonstrated how a quick can succeed on such tracks, combining his reverse-swinging ability with a relentless attack on the stumps.
The bustling right-arm quick has already emerged as a second innings specialist and he burnished that reputation with figures of 5 - 3 5 against Faf du Plessis’s side.
“Shami has been a strike bowler for us in the second innings consistently now,” India captain Virat Kohli told broadcaster STAR Sports after they went 1-0 up in the three-test series.
“If you see all his four-fivewicket hauls, they come in the second innings invariably when the team needs it. The ball is r e versi ng a bi t , t hat’ s hi s strength.”
Shami now has three fivewicket hauls in the second innings since 2018, most by any bowler, and four of his five South African victims were dismissed bowled.
FAF FOXED
One of them was Du Plessis, who shoulder-armed to a delivery and watched in horror as his offstump went cartwheeling.
India opener Rohit Sharma said it was just reward for the quick, who offered no respite to the batsmen.
“He makes the batsman play all the balls, which is slightly tough on that kind of pitch,” said Rohit, whose twin centuries in his first match as a test opener earned him man-of-the-match award.
“When you know you have to play all six balls, and the pitch at times, as we have seen, is doing something from the crack, or staying low at times...the batsman doesn’t really know what’s coming next, because he (Shami) can swing it both ways.”
Shami said it took more than just his ability to reverse-swing the ball.
“It’s not easy to bowl when you know reverse-swing is happening,” said the 29-year-old.
“You need to pitch it in the right area, you need to make sure that the ball is just around off stump, so that it comes and hits the middle stump. Otherwise sometimes you can drag (the ball onto pads) and leak a lot of runs.”
‘MAYANK PLAYS FEARLESSLY LIKE SEHWAG’ NEW DELHI: Former India great VVS Laxman feels Mayank Agarwal’s “fearless” approach in batting resembles a lot with the Virender Sehwag, who has been the Karnataka opener’s idol.
“He is a solid batsman and has approached this game like a domestic cricket match. Players usually change the way they play in domestic and international cricket, but he managed to maintain his style in both forms of cricket. Mental toughness and stability are his strengths and he plays fearlessly just like his favourite, Virender Sehwag,” Laxman commented on Agarwal’s performance on ‘Cricket Live’.
Agarwal had come into the limelight with twin half-centuries in his maiden Test tour of Australia but maiden double hundred (215) against South Africa has consolidated his position in the national team, feels former India spinner Harbhajan Singh.
Harbhajan on his part felt that years of grind in domestic circuit has paid dividends as Mayank is aware of what is expected of him.
“Mayank uses his feet well when he comes forward and hits and also executes the reverse sweep shots. He has a lot in store and plays them when and where needed.
“He is a hardworking player; the players who come from domestic cricket background have learned a lot,” said Harbhajan.
“They come in late but have so much knowledge and experience of the game that they value and understand every opportunity that the game brings to them,” said Harbhajan.
Harbhajan also feels that Mayank did well because he was sure about his role in the team.
“Once a player is confident about his role and place in the game, he only needs to focus on his performance. Rohit was trying (to play) a different game but Mayank stuck to his game.” Duanne Olivier Jason Holder Kemar Roach Mohammad Abbas
Tim Southee Vernon Philander
Jasprit Bumrah Mohammad Amir
Trent Boult Ishant Sharma Suranga Lakmal Kagiso Rabada James Anderson
Pat Cummins Shannon Gabriel Stuart Broad
Sam Curran Josh Hazlewood
Chris Woakes Lahiru Kumara Mitchell Starc
Ben Stokes Mohammed Shami
(minmum 15 wickets)
12.26
13.74
14.2
15.91
16.21
19.04
19.09
20.53
20.54
21.51
21.74
21.87
23.23
24
24.37
26.27
28.26
29.96
31.93 32.52 33.06 35.73
37.56 Morne Morkel Pat Cummins Jason Holder Mohammed Shami
Jasprit Bumrah Mohammad Abbas
Ishant Sharma Vernon Philander James Anderson Kagiso Rabada
Ben Stokes Shannon Gabriel Neil Wagner Stuart Broad
Trent Boult Mitchell Starc Josh Hazlewood
Tim Southee 12.93
14.22
16.23
17.7
19.41
19.57
19.87
20.68
22.31
22.6
24.42
24.9
25.11
25.96
26.52
27.47
28.31
33.93