Legendary Australian fast bowler Brett Lee opines that India’s decision to not consider Umran Malik for the T20 World Cup in Australian conditions has surprised him, saying he would have loved to see the Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler unleashed on pace-rich and bouncy pitches Down Under. During a chat with India Today, Lee said Umran Malik and Cameron Green’s exclusion from the T20 World Cup are two major surprising selection calls by teams in the lead-up to the premier ICC tournament.
On the sidelines of Legends League Cricket, Brett Lee said, “I would love to see Umran Malik unleashed in Australia, yes. So, to me the big surprise of his T20 World Cup – Umran Malik for India, I think he should play. Cameron Green has to play for Australia. I can’t fathom how Cameron Green isn’t in the team.”
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Furthermore, Brett Lee also said pace and bounce are important for pacers in Australia but that control is more important to find success Down Under when asked if bowlers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who rely on the swing, can be effective in Australia. The back injury to Jasprit Bumrah has come as a big jolt to India’s T20 World Cup hopes as the star pacer was ruled out of the tournament.
India doesn’t have an out-and-out pace bowler and speculation is rife that Mohammed Shami will be roped in the 15-member squad even though the pacer hasn’t played T20I cricket since the last World Cup. Deepak Chahar will be expected to miss out on a spot in the 15-member squad as India is looking for someone who can clock 140kph and above consistently.
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Talking about the same, Brett Lee said, “Pace and bounce are crucial but if you are bowling pace at the death and if you are going to bowl length, you are going to be taken down. So, pace up front is good, and pace at the back is good too but it also depends on how well you deliver and execute your plans. So the extra bounce is more so for the batsman, how the batsman handles the extra bit of bounce because the sub-continent batters aren’t used to that pace and bounce.”
India left for Australia on Thursday, October 6 for a preparatory camp in Perth. Rohit Sharma’s men will play two warm-up matches before their practice matches. India opens their T20 World Cup campaign against Pakistan in Melbourne on October 23.
