Experienced pacemen would be handy: Lillee

CHENNAI: Despite the perception of fast bowlers’ peripheral relevance on sub-continent wickets, former Australian fast bowler Dennis Lillee reckons they could play a pivotal role in the World Cup. Not necessarily the steaming tearaway but the worldly-wise experienced purveyors can linchpin their team’s course.

In conditions exasperating for pacers, they have multiple roles to function. “A fast bowler who can put brakes on scoring, besides getting a couple of wickets, would be an asset in these conditions. Also, he needs to bowl tight in the end overs. Though the spinners and part-timers are expected to make a huge impact, it can make a huge difference if you have two-three good fast bowlers,” opined Lillee, on the sidelines of his periodical visit to the MRF Pace Foundation.

The yorker and slower delivery could be potent weapons of destruction, felt former New Zealand bowler Danny Morrison. “They should be brave enough to use the slower balls, and should importantly know when to use it,” he said.

The mandatory change of balls, though, has reduced the effect of reverse swing. “It’s another bad thing that to have happened for bowlers. Now, they can manage some reverse only in the last four-five overs. I don’t mind using two new balls in an innings. At least, it helps both the batsmen and the bowlers. The ball comes onto the bat for the batsmen while the bowler can nick someone out with swing,” he said.

Experience could be another decisive factor. “When Glen McGrath came out of retirement to bowl in the IPL, he was quite difficult to get away with. He wasn’t extremely quick but troubled batsmen with his bounce, tight line and length as well as the ability to swing the ball both ways. So it shows that experienced bowlers can be quite tough to get away with in any format of the game. Maturity comes with experience and as far the World Cup is concerned it would be crucial how your premier fast bowler bowls” stated Lillee.

Though he surmises it was inevitable that Australia lost their once-redoubtable greatness, he rates Brett Lee’s comeback with a glint. “I think Bret Lee has comeback superbly. He is still quick,” he said.

Morrison, too, agreed, “You need someone who doesn’t panic under pressure. Taking Lee was a bit of a gamble but he is an experienced and quality bowler. Dale Steyn stands head and shoulders above the rest while Jimmy Anderson and Zaheer Khan are canny operators.