He Looks Every Bit Of A Test Cricketer: Tom Moody Impressed With Indian Youngster's Talent

Former Australia batsman, Tom Moody heaped high praises for Mohammed Siraj, who made his Test debut on the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. Siraj picked five wickets in the game with figures of 3/40 and 3/37.

In the second Test, Siraj had huge responsibilities on his shoulders: initially, he was filling in for the injured Mohammed Shami; later, in Australia’s second innings, he and Jasprit Bumrah had to carry extra workload as Umesh Yadav got injured while bowling.

However, the young seamer recognized this as an opportunity and cashed on it scalping some important wickets and keeping a lid on Australia’s scoring rate. He took the wickets of Australia’s top-scorers in both innings as India levelled the series.

Siraj will thrive in overseas conditions: Tom Moody

Moody is impressed by the pacer’s emergence as a Test match bowler progressing from Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. Moody observed that Siraj gave his all, with the ball and in the field as well for his team.

“Mohammed Siraj, I think was really impressive. We’re talking another wonderful Indian cricket story. This is a young guy that’s come from a very humble upbringing, got his IPL chance at Sunrisers before going to Royal Challengers Bangalore. Now he’s playing Test cricket,” Tom Moody told ESPNCricinfo.

“To me, he looked every bit at home as a Test cricketer. Whether he had the bowl in his hand or was at the top of his mark, or even when he was in the field. He tried to save every single run which is what you want from a captain’s and a coach’s perspective, which is so important.”

The 55-year-old opined that Siraj will be successful in overseas conditions, where most of the Indian pacers earlier have struggled, owing to his seam presentation and the lengths he bowls. The former SRH coach believes that the 26-year-old has the ability to generate swing and seam movement and therefore Siraj is an asset for the Indian team going forward.

“He bowled the right length, he challenged the batsmen’s front pat constantly. He’s quick enough to disturb top-order players. India has found a keeper there and he’s someone who will thrive overseas as well because of the way he presents the seam. He can swing the ball and get movement off the pitch. He’s a great find for India,” Tom Moody added.

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