Sehwag the part-timer delivers again |
|
Monday April 14, 03:01 AM
Much like his reputation as a part-time off-spinner, his 'special ball' seems innocuous as it leaves the hand as well. To a left-hander, this well-flighted ball loops way outside the leg stump and has an air of harmlessness about it. But after it pitches, the ball takes a sharp turn to dart towards the stumps.
It was just such a delivery that had ended Adam Gilchrist's Test career on a sorry note in Perth. And today, in dusty Kanpur, South African skipper Graeme Smith became another a high-profile southpaw to be foxed by the Viru special. Gilchrist missed the sweep shot and lost his leg stump, Smith was bowled around the legs trying to work one on the leg-side. Both fourth innings wickets, both of potential match-winners, and both vital to India's eventual victory.
Crucial wickets
To emphasise the importance of these wickets at Perth and Kanpur, it's important to take stock of the match situations.
Chasing 413 for victory, Australia eventually fell short by 72 runs. And the wicket of Gilchrist, who was showing signs of dominating, for just 15 proved to be a strike just at the right time. He followed it up with a wicket of Brett Lee to finish with two for 24 in eight overs.
Today he bowled five deliveries more than he did at Perth, gave half as many runs and got one extra wicket. His figures of 8.5-2-12-3 are his best in Test cricket.
The one he floats in to the left-handers, is pretty much his stock ball while having a go at right-handers. He keeps the length a bit shorter and the line closer to the stumps, but the turn remains sharp. South Africa's MVP No 2 Jacques Kallis fell for one today, beaten by the turn and bounce to be caught by Jaffer at short-leg. That was Sehwag's first ball of the day.
A few overs later, he dismissed Smith and from there on, the visitors never really had a shot at victory.
Sehwag has now made silent contributions with the ball in India's last two Test victories. If he keeps this rate up, his reputation as a 'part-timer' could soon come under threat.
|
More Cricket News
Pakistan win series despite Bangladesh effortIndia spin a win in Kanpur, clear Test before IPL carnivalIPL alters guidelines, aims to end boycottSehwag the part-timer delivers againSA dig their own graveProteas sink in Kanpur Dust BowlT20 is not all slam bang, says FlemingBowlers did the job: MahiWe weren’t good enough: SmithAkmal and Butt punish Bangladesh in 3rd ODI
