Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj during the practice session. file | Photo Credit: KVS Giri
Former New Zealand captain Ross Taylor has backed the Indian pace unit to trouble the Australian batsmen in the World Test Championship final to be held at the Oval in London from June 7 to 11.
Taylor, himself a World Test Championship winner, believes the Indian pacers have the wherewithal to cause problems for Australia even though Jasprit Bumrah will be ruled out due to back surgery.
“Whenever you play in England, the conditions and the weather play a big part,” Taylor told the ICC website.
“Whenever you think of Australia and India, and also you are playing at a neutral ground, fast bowlers play a big role. Australian fast bowlers are famous for bowling with Dukes ball and they have Quite an experience.” But Taylor did not rule out the possibility of India.
“I wouldn’t dismiss this Indian side. They’ve had a lot of success there over the years, they’ve got some of these fast bowlers,” he said.
While spin played a key role in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India, Taylor expects the pacers from both the teams to rule the roost in the WTC final at The Oval.
Taylor is confident that even without Bumrah, India have enough options in the pace department to make an impact in English conditions.
He said, “It is very difficult to replace someone like Bumrah. He has been excellent in all three formats and is the leader of their bowling attack.”
“But I think there is still enough depth in this Indian line-up to trouble the Australian side. (Mohammed) Shami and co are brilliant in these conditions.
“When you consider India’s attack, (Mohammed) Siraj and Co. have also been very good with the Dukes ball.
“I think there are still a lot of (India) fast bowlers who are brilliant and like to bowl with the Dukes ball. Umesh Yadav also bowls 140-plus. They love bowling with the Dukes ball and in England conditions. Let’s enjoy the opportunity.” Added.