Cape Town: The extra bounce will be a welcome change but bowling with the red Kookaburra ball will be a challenge in the three-match Test series against South Africa, reckons India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
After a two-shift opening practice session Saturday, the Indian team practised indoors Sunday due to wet and windy conditions at the Western Province Cricket Club (WPCC).
The Indian pacers’ focus as of now has been on bowling multiple long spells, which they will need to bowl in the series starting with first Test at Newlands from January 5.
“The first thing that comes to the mind when you are touring South Africa is bouncy wickets. But that is no surety of what kind of pitch you would get in the game,” said Bhuvneshwar in a media interaction.
If it is about dealing with the bounce for batsmen, bowlers will have to make the adjustment for bowling with the Kookaburra.
“When it comes to batsmen there is the bounce factor. But that is a factor for the bowlers too. The Kookaburra is the toughest ball to bowl with. It does not do too much after 25- 30 overs, so these are the kind of situations we are trying to prepare for.”
The swing specialist said the pace attack has not yet gotten down to strategising for the game and the focus is on bowling long spells. “We have not talked so far on the strategy. The focus is on the basics. May be a couple of days before the first Test, we will see how to strategise according to the batsman,” he added
press trust of india
