rtweryb ty34b reyeryh 5636 series - and are likely to attempt implementing Wagner's successful ploy. On the ascent fo

Don't think India pacers will be as effective as Wagner with bowling bouncers'

by  Cricbuzz Staff  •  Last updated on Fri, Jul 31, 2020, 08:25 AM


"I think we'll see it a bit (from India) but I don't think it will be as effective as Wagner."
"I think we'll see it a bit (from India) but I don't think it will be as effective as Wagner." © BCCI
Australia batsman Matthew Wade has said that he and his teammates will anticipate India's attempt to take a cue out of New Zealand's copybook when they tour Down Under later this year, but felt the effectiveness is not going to be the same. New Zealand suffered a 0-3 defeat in the Test series but Australia found it extremely hard to negotiate against Wagner's short-ball barrage which fetched him 17 wickets in the series - a tally second only to Nathan Lyon.
The left-armer exploited the chinks in Australia's armour once it was clear that they were uncomfortable against the tactic, and used it repeatedly with great success over the course of the series. The biggest testimony to his effectiveness was the fact that he repeatedly dismissed the top-three run-getters of the series - Marnus Labuschagne [twice], David Warner [four times] and Steve Smith [thrice].
"Teams may try it but I don't think it will be as successful," Wade told cricket.com.au. "I don't think anyone in the game has bowled bouncers the way he bowled and been so consistent, and not gotten scored off while also picking up wickets.
India will arrive in Australia later this year with the intention of repeating their historic feat from 2018-19 - when they clinched the series - and are likely to attempt implementing Wagner's successful ploy. On the ascent for the last 18-odd months, India's pace attack has already led the way on the previous tour, but that was when the hosts were handicapped by the absence of Warner and Smith, while Labuschagne was still finding his feet in the format. The challenge ahead of them this time - in the form of that famed troika - is likely to be far more daunting this time.
"I think we'll see it a bit (from India) but I don't think it will be as effective as Wagner. He's done it for a long time now ... to be honest, I've never faced a bowler who is so accurate at bowling bouncers," Wade said.
Wade - who copped a lot of blows to his body in the tussle against Wagner - further made his point about the New Zealander's unmatched accuracy with short-pitched bowling with an Ashes example.
"It was a good contest [with Wagner]. I had a bit of a contest with Jofra [Archer] in the Ashes but he wasn't as accurate as Wagner, and Wagner's left arm was coming at funny angles to our guys," he said.

Comments