Avid listeners: McGrath teaches the nuances of quick bowling to the children on the MRF Pace Foundation.
| Photo Credit: JOTHI RAMALINGAM B
Former Australian pacer Glenn McGrath felt the onus is on the bowlers to innovate and tilt the sport’s steadiness, which is skewed in favour of the batters, particularly in the shortest format.
“When the IPL started, batters improved first before the bowlers caught up with different deliveries and matched the batters. But recently, the batters have taken away the game with new innovative shots. So it is time for the bowlers to step up,” stated McGrath, who is at the moment on the MRF Pace Foundation for his periodical teaching camp.
“It comes back to control, thought processes and game plan. If the bowler can bowl the delivery he wants, he will be successful and in control of the game.
“I think in T20 cricket now, at the top of your mark, you have to have a couple of balls in mind to bowl, depending on what the batters do at the last minute. So, they need to innovate a little bit more,” added the 54-year-old.
With the IPL only a few days away, all eyes can be on Aussie quicks Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins. The two of them fetched file bids in the public sale, and McGrath rated Starc as top-of-the-line in the shortest format. “I think he’s well suited to the shortest version. If the ball is moving, he bowls such attacking lines and lengths,” stated the Aussie legend.
Dangerous
“He is always dangerous when he is on song, swinging the ball and is as good as anyone going around.”
On Steve Smith’s choice to grow to be a Test opener after David Warner’s retirement, McGrath stated, “I think it is a good move for him to challenge himself. He needed the next challenge. It has been 50-50, but let’s see what the future holds for him.”
