Former England captain Michael Atherton has praised star Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah for his ability to adjust speed and deliver yorkers on demand. The 55-year-old mentioned how England captain Ben Stokes has struggled against the speedster despite being a good fast bowler.
Atherton’s remarks came after Bumrah dismissed Stokes twice in four innings during the present Test series, bowling him out on both occasions.
Atherton recently informed Sky Cricket:
“Picking with the speed of the ball is tough with him and I’ve noticed with Stokes, even Stokes actually is an excellent player of fast bowling. He’s hurried with Bumrah.
“He struggles to pick up the pace, and a couple of times when he’s got him, it looks as though the ball has kept low, which has but it also almost beaten him for pace as well. I think that’s the issue with Bumrah.”
Michael Atherton
The cricketer-turned-commentator also lauded Bumrah for his magnificent yorker to dismiss Ollie Pope, which left everyone in amazement. He said:
“It was spectacular [yorker] wasn’t it? I don’t see what Pope could’ve done with that. It was an unbelievable image as Pope walked back.”
Michael Atherton
“That I think is the problem” – Michael Atherton on Jasprit Bumrah’s bunny Joe Root
Michael Atherton also stated that Joe Root’s troubles against Jasprit Bumrah are due to his pre-movements. He wants him to play as still as possible, citing Zak Crawley’s performance in the second Test in Vizag, where he scored 70 in two innings.
Atherton’s remarks came when Joe Root lost two wickets against Bumrah in the two Tests. The pacer has previously dismissed him eight times in this style.
Atherton said:
“A kind of stuttering one up and suddenly like at thunderbolt to 90 miles an hour. So, if you’re a person like Root who has kind of pre-movements. Some batters like Zak Crawley for example stand very still, he just stands there and plays the shot.”
Michael Atherton
He continued:
“Whereas most batters have triggers or pre-movements and Root is one of those, he has kind of rhythmical back and forward and that I think is the problem.”
Michael Atherton
The third Test between the two sides will take place in Rajkot beginning February 15.