Biggest challenge is to think ahead of batsman: Boult
Bangalore, April 13 (IANS) New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult on Monday said the biggest challenge for him in Twenty20 cricket is to out—think the batsmen.
“The difference between Tests and the shorter format is that batsmen are coming at you a lot more and looking to attack against your deliveries. My thinking has to be much quicker and I have to plan to be ahead of the batsmen as much as I can. That can sometimes get very difficult but that’s probably the biggest challenge,” Boult was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
The joint highest wicket—taker of the 2015 World Cup and ranked sixth in Tests and One Day Internationals (ODI), Boult was roped in by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs.3.8 crore for the Indian Premier League (IPL) two months ago. The left—armer says there is not much pressure on him and he hopes to enjoy his time in India.
“I don’t think there is too much pressure. I enjoyed the World Cup immensely but I don’t think the pressure beats me and I’m not worried about the expectation and all that. If I can put that aside and just enjoy being here, that will bring out the best in me,” said the seamer.
Asked how he would tackle the batsmen—friendly T20 cricket in IPL, Boult said: “I try not to think about it too much. It’s part of the game. In T20 cricket you are going to get hit for boundaries and sixes.
“How quickly you can put it behind you, how quickly you can come back and hopefully take some wickets. I know it’s easier said than done but the best players in the world have their ways to get through that.”
The 25—year—old said his success in IPL will depend on how quickly he can acclimatise and adapt to the wickets.
“It was pretty helpful to be in our home conditions which us as a team, us as bowlers we were familiar with. We knew what lengths to bowl and what lines. The grounds we played at, the ball swung nicely but I guess the challenge is to come to India —— much different climate, much different environment and very different wickets,” he said.
“The ball will swing here, just won’t be the same as back in New Zealand. So we have to quickly adapt to that and make sure my line and length is right and I’m hoping that I can be tricky for the batsmen.”
——Indo—Asian News Service
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SPORT—IPL—RCB—COMMENTS Boult and Bhuvi’s spells were brilliant: Warner
Bangalore, Apr 13 (PTI) He was the deserving Man—of—the— Match award winner for his explosive half—century but SunRisers Hyderabad skipper David Warner gave credit to his bowlers for setting up the win over Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League here today.
SunRisers rode on Warner’s 27—ball 57 and Trent Boult’s three—wicket burst in RCB innings’ penultimate over to defeat the hosts by eight wickets after bowling them out for 166.
“What a performance from the bowlers. The ball was swinging and the bowlers did well to pull things back. The spell from Boult and Bhuvi was brilliant,” Warner said at the post—match presentation ceremony.
Warner also took a stunning catch to set the ball rolling for his team.
“We pride ourselves on fielding, it is 50 percent of the game. If we get our fielding right, bowling and batting will take care of itself. Credit to the bowlers, they gave us a nice total to chase,” the Australian said.
He also praised his opening partner Shikhar Dhawan, who remained unbeaten with a 42—ball 50.
“I played with freedom and it was great knock from Shikhar. We are in a good place now and ready for our home games.”
RCB captain Virat Kohli was not happy with his bowlers’ performance and felt his team’s total was 20 runs short.
“We were just not good enough with the ball. Maybe 20 runs short with the bat. The guys were off the button today.
Hopefully, we can pull our socks up and come back stronger. We have a lot of freebies. I think the bowlers themselves will know that they were not good enough,” Kohli said.
He added: “With the bat we got close to 170, maybe it was a 180—185 wicket. We will have to improve with the ball. I guess Adam Milne will be fit for the next game and Mitch will be coming in to boost the attack. As long as the boys are willing to improve, it’s all good. PTI AH AH 04140001
SPORT—IPL—MAXWELL (RPT) (RPTNG AFTER CORRECTION IN INTRO) Lucky to play alongside a legend like Sehwag: Maxwell
By Bharat Sharma
New Delhi, Apr 13 (PTI) There aren’t too many better exponents of explosive batting in shortest version than Glenn Maxwell but by his own admission, the Australian all—rounder feels he is lucky to be playing alongside Kings XI Punjab teammate Virender Sehwag in the Indian Premier League.
Maxwell, who starred in his first season with Kings XI Punjab last year, is yet to fire this season. However, it doesn’t stop him from talking about his gains from the IPL.
“Ups and downs are part of a cricketers’ career and hopefully I will hit my straps soon and there won’t be any problems,” Maxwell told PTI today when asked about his current form.
Maxwell has made better use of his potential at a ‘more relaxed’ Kings XI Punjab, after parting ways with the star—studded Mumbai Indians last year.
Talking about the role IPL has played in his career, Maxwell says there is lots he has shared with the Indian domestic players besides learning a trick or two from legends like Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar, who used to be his teammate at Mumbai Indians .
“You learn as you move along. The way they (Indians) play the conditions here. It has been a great experience to play with legends of the game such as Viru (Sehwag). I was lucky enough to play alongside Sachin previously. It is just a great competition to be a part of,” said Maxwell, who has not much to show in his two first two outings of IPL—8.
Are there any specifics that he and Sehwag discuss at nets?
“Not really, but we have our regular chats about the game and the way we go about it. He always tells me about sticking to your game no matter what and back your instincts, and not worry about the external rubbish that goes on,” said the 26—year—old Victorian.
A little over a month ago, Maxwell smashed the second fastest hundred in World Cup when he reached the three figures off 50 balls against Sri Lanka in Sydney.
A batsmen known for his innovative shot making, Maxwell likes to keep it simple, whether it is the 50—over format or the T20 version.
“You just play according to the situation and that is probably what I have not done very well so far (in the tournament). I have not given myself enough time to get in but I am sure as the tournament goes I will hit my straps,” he said referring to his scores of 7 and 6 in the first two games.
Though Maxwell often toys with even the best bowlers in the business, he relishes the challenge of batting in India.
“There is no particular bowler that I enjoy facing. To me, it is about the challenge you face in the IPL. The standard of bowling has been pretty good so far. As I said, it is a great opportunity and challenge to play the best players of the world in this competition,” he said.
When you place him in the league of AB de Villiers, currently considered the best batsman across formats and not just T20, Maxwell’s answer was a clear “No”. PTI BS KHS KHS CM 04131946
