Why is Ishant bowling from close to the stumps

[PaiN_KiLLeR]

During the series down-under, Ishant bowled from the edge of the crease and had the Aussie batsmen in all sorts of discomfort. The terrific angle he created angle he created coupled with 140+ pace made him look a very potent bowler. After returning, when he started bowling from close to stumps in the IPL, I thought he was doing it to be more accurate and keep his economy rate in check. But he is continuing the trend in Test matches as well. Is this a result of some brilliant mentoring by Venkatesh Prasad? :nervous:

[msb1991]

Going close to the stumps on flat pitches is a valid tactic, it opens up more wicket taking opportunities (notice how few wickets Ishant got in the Test series downunder) and on flatter pitches, the ball will not jag back off the seam like it might on more lively tracks. To quote Wasim Akram speaking in Australia: If he comes closer to the wicket about six inches, he'll be a different bowler altogether, he'll get a lot more wickets in his career...and I am sure the bowling coach Venkakablatesh Prasad will be telling him to come closer to the stumps

[flamy]

Going close to the stumps on flat pitches is a valid tactic, it opens up more wicket taking opportunities (notice how few wickets Ishant got in the Test series downunder) and on flatter pitches, the ball will not jag back off the seam like it might on more lively tracks. To quote Wasim Akram speaking in Australia: If he comes closer to the wicket about six inches, he'll be a different bowler altogether, he'll get a lot more wickets in his career...and I am sure the bowling coach Venkakablatesh Prasad will be telling him to come closer to the stumps

Looks like Prasad did his job :D He should put ESPN on his Deepavali list :D

[Fontaine]

I'm actually a fan of Venky Prasad. I think he's done a very good job so far with the bowlers.

[gs]

The spinners suck though, maybe we need a spin coach. Bedi anyone? :--D He would distract Murali atleast :cantstop:

[rahulrulezz]

Ishant Sharma has lost some serious pace recently..after OZ tour, he rarely touched 140.. from 145 to 135 now... He shud better get into 140s again or he will soon turn into next Kuruvilla or Tinu

[Predator_05]

A word about the speed. Channel 9's broadcast had him clocking high 140's and a high of 152.7. Star cricket, when broadcasting the same game, had him clocking high 130's, low 140's. Even in this test against SL, he looked quick through the air but the speed gun didn't really push 135 regularly. The pace is still the same, it's the guns that are different.

[MPS 3]

Channel 9 guns are sponsored by Toyota. Surely they are more reliable :-D

[msb1991]

A word about the speed. Channel 9's broadcast had him clocking high 140's and a high of 152.7. Star cricket' date=' when broadcasting the same game, had him clocking high 130's, low 140's. Even in this test against SL, he looked quick through the air but the speed gun didn't really push 135 regularly. The pace is still the same, it's the guns that are different.[/quote'] Indeed. GOing by Star Cricket readings, Ishant has only slowed down fractionally and this would be due to being demotivated by a slow pitch and tired by hot, humid conditions.

[Chandan]

So the speed guns do differ from channel to channel! But when Ishant was bowling from wide of crease and then got the ball to straighten a bit, it was an unplayable delivery to a right hander! Why has he changed that? Is it to get more effective against the left handers or has it got something to do with the slowness of the track?

[msb1991]

Wide of the stumps straightening is an unplayable ball that will often beat the bat but straightening from near the stumps can hit the stumps, catch the edge or catch a batsman on the pad. Also, the ball will rarely straighten in Sri Lankan pitches, which do not help seamers nearly as much as Australian pitches, although it will help them a bit.

[Centrino]

Interesting topic. I thought he was much better bowler when he was bowling little wide from stumps atleast in australia. I think when you bowl wide from stumps you can bring more speed and swing. However by bowling closer from stumps he can keep the bowl straight and on the wickets thus creating more opportunities on a flat wicket...