Spin bowling will certainly be the key to success in the upcoming World Twenty20 in India but the role of fast bowlers cannot be brushed aside. Bowlers who have variations and who can reverse the ball (yes, it can happen even in 20 overs) and swing it under lights will be a difficult proposition on pitches which might be two paced and not conducive to hitting through the line. Let us have a look at the English pace bowlers and analyse the impact that they are likely to have in the mega event which begins next month.
Reece Topley
Reece Topley is a lanky left arm pace bowler capable of swinging the ball both ways at a decent pace. He also has a deceptive slower ball which is hard to pick up and given his height he will be a difficult customer to face on the uneven pitches of India. He had a stellar ODI series against the strong South African side where he finished as the highest wicket taker from either side, picking up 10 wickets in 5 matches. He will have to work on his control though as he went at more than 6 runs per over during that series and even in the first T20I he travelled at 9 runs per over.
Overall, he has played 53 T20 matches picking up 76 wickets at a strike rate of 15 and an economy rate of over 8 runs per over. He is a good find for England as he has the tendency to pick up wickets and even though he may be a bit expensive, having a genuine wicket taker in your ranks is always a positive.
Impact Rating – 7/10
Steven Finn
Steve Finn is also a lanky pace bowler like Topley but he bowls right handed. Finn, at the peak of his powers had the ability to trouble the best batsmen with his pace and uncomfortable bounce. But problems with injuries and his habit of knocking down the stumps at the non-strikers end in his delivery stride meant him having to change his action and left him low on confidence. But he has worked hard with the England Lions team and has come back rejuvenated and has gradually built up his pace as well. He has the ability to swing the ball and if he can get his act together, he will certainly be more than a handful even in India. He has played 21 T20I’s for England picking up 27 wickets at an economy rate of just over 7.
Impact Rating – 7/10
David Willey
David Willey is the son of former England all-rounder turned Peter Willey and is the preferred choice ahead of Finn at the moment for England. It is probably because he gives them the option of a hard hitting batsman lower down and because he is a very good fielder too. He has picked up just a solitary wicket in the four matches (3 ODI’s and 1 T20I) on the tour to South Africa and has not contributed much with the bat as well so his place will certainly under the scanner. But at his best, he is a good left arm swing bowler who can deliver at decent pace.
Impact Rating – 6/10
In addition to these three, England also have Ben Stokes and Chris Jordan who can be used as medium pace bowlers and who also provide them with batting fire-power as well.
This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.
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