South African all-rounder Shaun Pollock, a master of bowling in field restrictions and in the death, reckons bowlers will soon start getting protection from the lawmakers against batsmen who suddenly metamorphose from right-handed to left or vice-versa, says a report in The Times Of India. “After all, bowlers do have to inform the umpires about whether they are bowling right-arm-over or round or left-arm-over or round and it is only fair that the bowlers don’t have to suddenly adjust to a left-hander as the field they have set is for a right-handed batsman,” says Pollock.
“It’s seriously getting difficult. They bring fine leg up and the batsman scoops it over fine leg. You bring third man up and they reverse scoop it over third man. The bowlers constantly have to think on their feet and try and read what the batsmen are trying to do and if a batsman tries to adjust early to play a certain shot, you try and bowl certain deliveries to combat that. But it has become difficult with switch hit and everything that goes on with it. As a bowler you just have to take it on the chin and try to bowl the next delivery,” Pollock said.
“Whatever you try and bowl, make sure you give it a 100 per cent and if it doesn’t come off, that’s the nature of t20 cricket,” he added.
According to a Hindu report, Pollock said Kieron Pollard's fitness and availability for the match against Royal Challengers Bangalore will be known only on Wednesday.
“He (Pollard) has put himself through the paces in the nets. You cannot rush players with shoulder injuries. We will be as patient as we can; he knows his fitness best. He will bowl in the nets and also field, and we will see how he feels,'' said Pollock.
Meanwhile Dean Jones in his column in The Times Of India writes that Mumbai have found a new hero in West Indian Dwayne Smith, who has, of course, come in as a replacement for Mitchell Johnson. “They needed a batsman in the middle overs, and Kieron Pollard has not stood up to the task. He has proved this IPL season that he is more of a bowling allrounder, unlike Smith, who seems to have more batting skills. They have finally found someone who can add a bit of punch to their lineup,” writes Deano, adding that what was important about their last win was the invigorating performance of Tendulkar.
“How he went about hitting from point to over midoff was simply sublime. I know he was playing with a busted finger but he showed no signs of his injury as he went about his business. He really put his team in a winning position with his innings. However, I must say it was the bowling that won them the game. What can I say about Lasith Malinga? His bowling at the death was awesome. I think he’s only paid $500,000 but judging by his performances, he should be one of the highest earners of the IPL. Mumbai have got themselves the best bargain buy,” says Dean Jones.
Meanwhile after leading his side to the top with a facile win over Delhi Daredevils, Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Gautam Gambhir said he, along with senior batsman Jacques Kallis, will have to shoulder the responsibility of steering the team to play-off stage, says a report in The Indian Express.
Gambhir has been leading from the front by scoring 457 runs so far in the ongoing edition. "If someone has to change the game, it should be Kallis or me. We don't want (Brendon) McCullum or Yusuf Pathan to change the game. It's our responsibility because we are the experienced guys," Gambhir said at the post-match press conference.