(ICC Credit)
“On a general rule, other than Bumrah, we haven’t seen enough fast bowlers nailing their yorkers recently.
“I want to see fast bowlers bowl more yorkers. I still don’t reckon they execute enough yorkers at the death,” Lee said at the launch of the Legends Intercontinental T20 league recently.
“If you look back at 17 years of Indian Premier League, on average a yorker goes for a strike rate of less than 100. Which tells me that one run or less per bowler that’s executed.
“Now, when you bowl a yorker and you’ve got guys who can go down and scoop you over the head, well that puts pressure on you as a bowler.
“You’ve got to set in the right field and put two men back, third man fine and back and then bowl,” Lee added.
Lee, like several other former players, called for a balance between bat and ball.
“I’m all for batters smoking the ball all over, but there has got to be something for the bowlers too. I’m not asking for a green top, where teams bowled out for 110, because that’s not good for cricket either.
“You want a good total, I think. Anywhere around that 185 mark to 230 is a good score. We’ve seen scores now of 265, 270, 277.
“It’s really hard because most bowlers now are going for 45 to 50 off their four overs.” he said
As T20 cricket evolves, the balance of power increasingly favors the batsmen. The introduction of the ‘Impact Player Rule’ and the prevalence of flat pitches have made it tough for bowlers, resulting in their struggles during the IPL.
Warner has rightfully earned the privilege to dictate the terms of his departure.
Australia’s dynamic young batsman, Jake Fraser-McGurk, lit up the IPL in his debut season, prompting many to advocate for his inclusion in Australia’s T20 World Cup squad. Despite this, selectors opted for experienced opener David Warner, who is slated to retire after the tournament, along with Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh in the top order. Fraser-McGurk, who bats in the top order like Warner and is his teammate at Delhi Capitals, has been named as a travelling reserve.
“David Warner has earned that right to go out on his own terms. And if things don’t happen for whatever reason, then he’s (McGurk) definitely there to take part,” Lee said.
Despite missing several matches due to injury, Warner’s performance in the IPL wasn’t remarkable. However, he has accumulated 834 runs in T20 cricket since 2021, boasting a strike rate of approximately 150. Heading into the 2021 T20 World Cup, he struggled with form, yet emerged as the player of the tournament, playing a crucial part in Australia’s historic maiden victory in the shortest format.
Meanwhile, the 22-year-old McGurk, drafted in as a replacement for Lungi Ngidi at Delhi Capitals, showcased an impressive exhibition of explosive batting. He hammered four half-centuries in nine games, boasting a staggering strike rate surpassing 234.
“I think if you go over there as a reserve batsman, you definitely have a chance to get an opportunity.
“That happened this year with the Delhi Capitals, he wasn’t even picked in the squad.
“Ricky Ponting rang him up late night and said come in and had a few injuries. So right time, right place.
“But the advice to him, and he articulated it beautifully to say that he’s only 22 years of age (araam se araam se) . He’s got time. There’s no point rushing it,” Lee said.
