Pacers have to understand the nuances of reverse swing: Javagal Srinath
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Former Indian pacer Javagal Srinath has Ā felt that the long season at home will prove beneficial for the current Indian pacers as they face stern test on the lifeless Indian pitches. Srinath also stressed that positive attitude is the key for any fast bowler to play for India regularly.
After remaining a mainstay in the Indian cricket team for the best part of 1990s, Javagal Srinath still remains as one of the finest fast bowlers India has ever produced. One of the most dependable bowlers with the new ball, Srinath played 67 Test for India bagging a haul of 236 wickets in the process.Ā
Speaking about the technicalities in generating quality reverse swing, Srinath on Wednesday, said in an exclusive interview to the Times of India, "If you study Test match cricket in India, you'll see that it is reverse swing which gets you most wickets, especially in the December-January period. Early mornings and late evening conditions assist pacers. I assure you that that in our conditions reverse swing can be more effective than normal swing. Indian wickets facilitate reverse swing regularly and it is up to the bowlers to seize the opportunities which come their way.ā .
Srinath advised the Indian pacers to look out for favourable situations during the passage of a day in order to generate reverse swing.
"Pacers have to be ready to understand the nuances of reverse swing; recognizing when exactly the conditions start aiding them. Reverse swing can rescue you even on flat tracks."
It has always been a problem for the fast bowlers in India to feature regularly for India as several bowlers in recent times have been in and out of the team. Srinath said that Test cricket demands the most optimistic approach from a bowler.
"If they see Test match cricket as a long, tiring endeavour, too much hard work on flat, lifeless tracks, that's just how it's going to be. Negative thinking hasn't taken anyone anywhere. With such an attitude, one of them will come in and play two matches, then someone else will replace him and the chain goes on. Every bowler should put up his hand and ask to be counted, he should approach this string of matches with the mindset of playing all 13 games," he said.
Srinath is currently working in the capacity of a match referee with the ICC.
