Pace Is Very Good But It Is Not Everything: Glenn McGrath On Umran Malik
Published - 24 Apr 2022, 12:59 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:07 AM
Australian fast-bowling great Glenn McGrath said Sunrisers Hyderabad sensational talent Umran Malik is work-in-progress to reach heights as a fast bowler. The Jammu & Kashmir bowler has been the talking point amongst the emerging players of IPL 2022 for his ability to clock consistent speed over 150kph and bowl with sheer pace to tantalize the batters.
The 22-year-old has picked 10 wickets in seven matches at an average of 21.4 and an economy rate of 8.23. Malik executed a fiery yorker to dismantle the stumps of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Shreyas Iyer and sent him packing.
Umran Malik becomes the fourth bowler to bowl a maiden in 20th over of an IPL innings
Malik became the fourth bowler in IPL history to bowl a maiden in the 20th after Irfan Pathan, Lasith Malinga and Jaydev Unadkat. He picked three wickets against Punjab Kings in the final over of their innings to restrict them to 151.
Pace is very good, but it is not everything: Glenn McGrath on Umran Malik
In the match against Gujarat Titans, Malik bettered his IPL 2021 record as he bowled at 153.3 kph and also bowled the other four fastest deliveries in that game with speeds – 151.2, 150.1, 149.9, 149.3.
However, McGrath, who used to impose intense pressure on his opponents with a searing pace, opined that having pace alone won’t develop a fast bowler as one needs to learn other variations as well. The Australian bowling great noted the example of former Australian left-arm pacer Mitchell Johnson.
“Pace is very good, but it is not everything. There are different aspects to fast bowling. Mitchell Johnson, during the Ashes (initial phase of his career), bowled with raw pace and with control and that’s why he was a dangerous bowler. One should try to emulate Johnson. Bowling a yorker is nice and with pace, is dangerous” McGrath, who is Director of Coaching at the famed MRF Pace Foundation, told reporters in Chennai on Saturday.
In the match against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Saturday, Malik bowled 19 dot balls with figures 1/13, it was the most number of dot balls bowled by an SRH bowler in an innings.
Also Read: IPL 2022: I’m Sure Umran Malik Will Play For India Soon – Dale Steyn
