PACER SHAMI OVERSTEPS BCCI DIRECTIVE, BOWLS 26 OVERS

KOLKATA: Mohammed Shami didn’t follow the Indian board’s instruction to bowl a maximum of 15 overs per innings, sending down 26 overs for Bengal who have been left struggling by Kerala at Eden Gardens.

Shami, who joined the Bengal squad after the Indian board’s conditional okay, finished with 3/100 in his first competitive game since the second one-dayer against West Indies.

Bengal coach Sairaj Bahutule said Shami overshot his ‘quota’ because he had told the team he was feeling good and wanted to bowl. Bahutule said the Bengal team management was given to understand that the 15-over restriction wasn’t rigid and could be stretched by a few overs anyway. Shami looked in good rhythm and the best way to prepare for Australia is to get some overs behind him, said Bahutule on Wednesday evening.

Shami was rested for three one-dayers against West Indies and the T20 Internationals against the West Indies and Australia to manage his workload ahead of the Test series against Australia, beginning next month, and the World Cup next year.

Shami, reiterated Bahutule. “When you are playing a match for your state, the important thing is to fulfil your responsibility. I was also feeling well and had no discomfort. The wicket was also doing well so I continued as long as I could... I decided on my own,” he said. “It was better to bowl for your team and state rather than practising somewhere else... The more you bowl here the more it will help in Australia. It was good preparation.”