New Delhi: Jasprit Bumrah is fit enough to last the rigours of Test cricket in India’s demanding five-match series in England, insisted bowling coach Morne Morkel.
Bumrah injured his back during the Border-Gavaskar series and sat out the fifth Test in Sydney against Australia and then missed the Champions Trophy as well.
He underwent rehabilitation in Bengaluru and then returned to action for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League but is yet to bowl long spells required in red-ball cricket even though Morkel tried to brush away concerns.
“He (Bumrah) knows how to get himself ready. He knows how to prepare. And like you say, I was blown away to see the energy in the ball the last three days. So that’s very exciting to see happy ‘Boom’,” he said, as quoted by PTI.
“I’m just happy his body is in good shape at the moment and we’ll manage him with that. And we’ll be smart with him because he’s obviously key for us.”
‘Reddy must bowl more’
Nitish Reddy needs to bowl more to be counted as a reliable all-rounder during India’s upcoming five-Test series against England, feels bowling coach Morne Morkel.
He has asked Reddy to bowl more overs after making a mark with the bat through a century against Australia at Boxing Day Test in Melbourne last year.
Reddy bowled 26.5 overs for India A in two tour games against England Lions and Morkel said he wants him to bowl more overs.
“I think he (Reddy) is skillful. He is a guy who can bowl that magical ball. So for him, it is about creating that consistency and that’s something we want to work on. It’s important for his game as well,” Morkel said.
“I’ve had conversations with him where I’ve challenged him to bowl a bit more. I want to see the ball more in his hands. We all know what he can do with the bat.
“But for a team, if you can have those bowling options, especially in these conditions, I think he’ll be one to be excited and compliment his bowling at that.”
Reddy is in a battle with veteran Shardul Thakur for a place in the playing XI in the first Test that begins at Headingley, Leeds, from June 20. Former South African pacer Morkel didn’t divulge who could get the nod in between Reddy and Thakur.
“In terms of the balance, we’ve got very happy with that. But for us as a bowling unit, finding that gear that we’re going to need in Test matches is going to be important,” he said.
“We’ve spoken a lot about how we’re going to go about playing and match-up England. But I think so far we’re in the right way in terms of doing the preparation. And for us, like you say, when it comes to match day, with the ball, it’s about execution.”
Jasprit Bumrah injured his back during the Border-Gavaskar series and sat out the fifth Test in Sydney against Australia and then missed the Champions Trophy as well. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
