Heath Streak, Former Captain of Zimbabwe cricket team feels the new rule introduced by the ICC of teams operating with new balls from both ends in ODIs is a positive one.
Mr. Streak, who is in the city to play a charity T20 match, told Coastaldigest.com at the sidelines of a programme in Mangalore on Saturday that the novel idea is helping the game look more exciting. “It’s a good move. In good bowling conditions, the rule enables bowlers to put up a good display of swing and seam bowling while on flatter pitches, it helps batsmen make merry with the harder ball. Either way, it makes watching cricket more exciting so it’s good”, says he.
A fast bowler himself, Mr. Streak feels though that the nature of swing of a cricket ball varies to some extent in ODIs and Tests. “The red ball (used in Test matches) swings more consistently”, he reveals.
Looking forward to putting up a good show with the ball in the scheduled T20 match, Mr. Streak who will captain the Zimbabwe Africans team against Team Mangalore, knows he will have to bring all his bowling experience into play as it will be a mat wicket that the match will be played on. “I will have to produce some slower ones and mix it up, put up some variation”, he quips.
Grant Flower, former batsman and current batting coach of Zimbabwe’s national team, also feels the new ball rule should be welcomed.
“It is not a bad rule as such. It makes the batsmen work harder. There are no grey areas in terms of changing the ball and stuff. If it makes watching cricket more exciting for the spectators, why not?” says Mr. Flower.
Although a batsman himself, Mr. Flower says the ICC is reasonable with the ‘no-runner for injury’ rule as well although it allows substitutes for fielders. “It gives teams a reason to be fitter. With fielding, you got to be running around so it’s fair enough as opposed to batsman striking the ball and running between the wickets”, Mr. Flower opines.
Like his captain who is playing after a long time, Mr. Flower too will be in out in the middle after a long break and is excited about the same.
“It is nice to be in the city of Mangalore. I have never been here before and I am excited. Looking forward to some good cricket and having a good time. It is nice to be having a break from coaching and play the game instead. I haven’t practiced much. Let’s see what happens”, he smiles.
Mr. Grant’s brother Andy Flower is also involved in coaching and has taken the England side to greater heights in his tenure, something that Mr. Grant is proud of.
“Andy’s done very well. Under him, England are playing some good cricket and I wish him well for his future as well” says Mr. Flower.
The brothers share a strong bond. “We played together for most of our lives and are very close. We’ve coached together. I know his game very well and he knows mine. We share a few ideas about coaching these days too”, Mr. Flower reveals.
A left arm orthodox spinner that he is, Mr. Flower says that he liked bowling on Indian pitches during his playing days. “The pitches in Zimbabwe are flatter. Indian wickets turn a bit more. So I did enjoy bowling in India. But as a batsman it was tough and that is the other side of the coin. India had good spinners, so it was hard work as a batsman”, says Mr. Flower.
Mr. Flower is of the opinion that although legends like Anil Kumble who spearheaded the spin department during his playing days have retired now, India continues to produce good spinners. “There are good spinners these days too and I don’t think it has changed too much”, says he.
One finds Anil Kumble in the Royal Challengers Bangalore dugout during IPL matches in his capacity as mentor of the side. With IPL attracting more and more foreign cricketers, Mr. Grant too wishes to see Zimbabwe players play in the League. “Hopefully more guys from our country will feature in the IPL in the days to come. With more exposure, that will surely happen. Brendon Taylor was close to getting a contract but it didn’t materialize. He had played well in the World Cup as well”, says Mr. Flower.
Although quite a few foreign players have moved out of their countries to play for England in recent years, Mr. Grant feels as of now, Zimbabwean players are happy to represent their country. “England is a bigger nation and there is a lot of money to make over there. There are bigger things in terms of greater international exposure, figuring in the iconic Ashes series and so on. But we don’t have the same opportunities and our guys don’t get to play for England. They are happy where they are nevertheless”, Mr. Flower discloses.
Photos by Ahmed Anwar
Comments
Add new comment