'I Think He Has To Be Rewarded': Brad Hogg Calls For Indian Pacer's Inclusion In The WTC Final
Published - 16 Jun 2021, 01:47 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:47 AM
Former Australia spinner Brad Hogg has strongly backed Mohammed Siraj to play in the ICC World Test Championship final against New Zealand. India and New Zealand will lock horns beginning on the 18th of June in Southampton to claim the ultimate prize in Test cricket. Brad Hogg believes since Mohammed Siraj spearheaded the attack in the absence of the big boys in Australia, he deserves to play.
Mohammed Siraj is one of the six pacers alongside Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Shardul Thakur, and Umesh Yadav that the selectors have opted for the England tour. Siraj has enjoyed a sensational start to his Test career and has so far taken 16 wickets at 28.25, including a five-wicket haul. The 27-year old has also made it to the 15-man squad for the ICC World Test Championship final.
With discussions going around Shardul Thakur’s inclusion, Brad Hogg feels he would not be a correct fit for long spells. He thinks that Mohammed Siraj would be a better choice and spearheaded the attack when the big boys were not available in Australia. Thus, he has to be rewarded.
“I don’t think Shardul Thakur would be fit enough if he has to bowl long spells to get through the five days. I just think Siraj has got a better engine. Plus Siraj has led the Indian attack when the big boys weren’t there, and I think he has to be rewarded,” Hogg said as quoted by Hindustan Times.
I would have Ravindra Jadeja as the fifth bowling option: Brad Hogg
Additionally, Brad Hogg took into account the overcast conditions of Southampton and selected Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj as the four pacers. The Western Australian picked Ravindra Jadeja as the fifth bowling option since they would need an extra batter.
“The balance of the bowling attack for India that I would see playing in this World Test Championship final will be in overcast conditions, that’s the weather report. I would have four quicks and one spinner. I would go with Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj instead of Shardul Thakur. I would have Ravindra Jadeja as the fifth bowling option because you need that extra batting on that day in the Indian batting line-up,” the 49-year old added.
