Former England bowling coach Darren Gough has heaped praise on Indian speedster Jasprit Bumrah for his unique bowling action, saying he is a huge fan of the pacer ahead of the opening Test of the upcoming four-match Test series between India and England on Friday (February 5) in Chennai.
Spinners might be the central attraction in Chennai but former cricketer said the fast-bowlers from both teams – India and England would also play a significant role in the upcoming Test series.
Bumrah and Ishant Sharma’s return boost India’s pace attack which also has Australia Test series hero in-form Mohammad Siraj, England’s also has star-studded fast-bowling attack comprising world-class and experienced pacers James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Jofra Archer, and Ben Stokes – who has enough experience of Indian pitches having played in the IPL.
Gough told Times of India: “I am a huge fan of Bumrah. He is hard to pick because of his action and the angle that he creates. He also has a natural variation and that makes him lethal. Ishant has reinvented himself and bowls in the right areas which makes him a wicket-taker while Siraj has a huge heart.”
He further said India has now a lot of quality fast bowlers because of IPL. Gough added, “IPL is such a wonderful tournament. Young Indian players get to share the dressing room with big stars and learn a lot from them. In fact, I would love to work in IPL as a coach, bowling coach, or a broadcaster.”
Coming to England, Gough said the upcoming Test series in India will be massive for Jofra given his IPL experience while suggesting Joe Root play both Anderson and Broad in the first Test with two spinners against Team India in Chennai.
He further added, “For England, it will be a massive tour for Archer. Due to his IPL experience, he knows where to bowl on Indian pitches and it will hold him in good stead. Stokes is a clever bowler and England should use him as a wicket-taker.
Broad and Anderson have 1000 wickets between them and you don't need to teach them anything new. In fact, given Broad and Anderson's form, England should play them both in the first Test and go with two spinners. From the second Test, England can look at playing three spinners.”
The 50-year-old further said England bowlers need to make the most of the new ball and attack the stumps to be effective against the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Cheteshwar Pujara.
Gough continued, “England needs to use the new ball well and attack the stumps as the ball is not going to swing and seam much. Sharma and (Shubman) Gill though tend to chase the off-stump deliveries so you might try your luck there.
But Kohli, Pujara, and (Ajinkya) Rahane will bat time so there is no point in frustrating them by bowling the off-stump line. If you are bowling at the stumps, you also need to get the field right. Otherwise, you may go for runs. Once the ball gets old, you can bowl back of a length, hit the pitch hard, and vary your pace.”
The former bowling coach feels England should continue to play attacking brand of cricket in India while saying the first Test is extremely important for the tourists as if they win the Chennai Test, they will get a lot of confidence for the rest of the Test series.
He signed off by saying, “We have been playing an attacking brand of cricket in the last few years where the batsmen put the runs on the board and the bowlers put pressure on the opposition. The first Test will be extremely important. If England can win it, they will take a lot of confidence.”
