Jasprit Bumrah: England witnesses a rare talent at the peak of his powers
The clouds were heavy, the floodlights shone down on Headingley and conditions were perfect for the curious cricketing phenomenon of swing bowling. Enter the master of the art, Jasprit Bumrah.
The first over of England's reply to India's 471 in this first Test said everything about the threat posed by the No 1-ranked bowler in the world and arguably one of the greatest of all time. It was fast and furious, but above all, it was pure sporting theatre.
Advertisement
This famous old cricketing arena was buzzing with anticipation at the first sight in this series of the biggest danger to England's hopes and the biggest box office attraction of five Tests in the next six weeks.
Bumrah is as unorthodox as he is brilliant. He starts his run up, short by fast bowling standards, by walking three or four steps before stuttering towards the crease and delivering the ball with a hyper-extended right elbow that takes him almost half a metre closer to the batter at the point of delivery.
His right arm ends up virtually between his legs as he gets his pace and movement from a last split-second whippy explosion of energy. There is perhaps a shortage of elegance, but no shortage of potency and sheer drama.
Immediately here, Bumrah gained significant swing through the air with the new ball — which so often seems weather dependent but in truth owes more to the skill of the bowler — while taking aim at England opener Zak Crawley.
The first three balls swung away from Crawley at high pace, the fourth did so dramatically, and the fifth was somehow steered by the batter to the boundary.
Then, with his sixth delivery timed at 88 miles per hour while gaining an extraordinary two degrees of swing, Bumrah shaped to angle the ball in at Crawley's body before it again swung away, taking the edge and being pouched at slip.
It was Bumrah at his very best. It was the perfect example of a rare talent at the peak of his powers. It was simply unplayable.
While Bumrah was bowling during a majestic opening spell of five overs on Saturday, he was performing at a higher level than anyone else on either side. It was as if the 31-year-old from Ahmedabad was playing a different game.
England know all about Bumrah. He first played against them in 2018, but it was last year when he destroyed them, taking 19 wickets in just four Tests during the 4-1 Indian home victory that remains the biggest setback of England's 'Bazball' era.
Advertisement
He has become a master with both red ball and white, equally as potent in Test cricket and the Indian Premier League, and before this game had taken 205 wickets in his 45 Tests at an average of 19.40 apiece.
Bumrah could have been captaining India here in place of Sharma, but told the India selectors he could not guarantee playing in more than three of the five matches of this congested series to protect his fitness. He contributes more than enough with the ball. The leader of the Indian attack had Ben Duckett dropped during that explosive opening spell on the second day of this Test before returning to take the other England opener's wicket, bowled with the help of an inside edge onto the stumps.
Then, most crucially, the best bowler in the world dismissed the No 1 ranked batter just before the close when Joe Root was lured by the uncertainty of where the ball was moving into pushing at Bumrah outside off-stump and edging to slip.
He would have got Harry Brook, too, had Bumrah not inexplicably overstepped for the third time in the last over of the day, a no-ball ruling out the subsequent catch. But the game is fascinatingly poised with England at 209-3, 262 behind India, and Ollie Pope unbeaten on 100 after also being dropped, in his case on 60, off Mohammed Siraj.
But it is Bumrah who will carry India's hopes into the third day on Sunday and throughout the rest of what is already developing into an absorbing series.
So, what is it like to face this unorthodox genius? 'What makes him so hard is he's much quicker than people think,' former England all-rounder Moeen Ali tells The Athletic.
'Because of the slowness of his run up and stutter, people don't think it's going to be too quick, but he's elastic in his action, particularly in the way he releases the ball.
'It makes him so different. Other bowlers could probably do what he does, but it's the control he has over his wrist to get the ball going in and away, especially in England with the red ball. When he releases the ball, it's at a completely different angle to where it finishes.
Advertisement
'I remember AB de Villiers (former South Africa batter) telling me Bumrah was the one bowler he's faced where he didn't know where the ball was going. AB was always ahead of all bowlers, but Bumrah was the one guy that he didn't know what was coming. He could bowl anything.'
Keaton Jennings was one of Bumrah's first high-profile Test victims during that 2018 summer, being bamboozled by a delivery in Southampton that looked like it would swing away from the left-hander before clattering into his stumps. It was an early sign of things to come.
'He had emerged by then, but he didn't quite have the reputation he has today,' former Lancashire captain Jennings tells The Athletic. 'That ball at Southampton was the first, I think, he'd bowled in Test cricket with more than 1.2 degrees of swing.
'The thing that made it outstanding was that everything in his setup told me the ball would leave me as a left-hander. The three balls previously had gone away quite rapidly, and then there was no visual change to that ball. It just hooped back into me.
'I think it's late wrist movement that does it, but visually everything tells the batter it is going to leave you and then it doesn't. I was going to cut it and then the next thing I knew it had hit me on the inside of my knee.'
Jennings' fellow left-hander Ali was playing in that Test and made a quick decision as to what to do next. 'Keaton didn't see the ball that got him, so as I was walking in, I decided I was going to play every ball as an inswinger and then if it went away, I would just try and deal with it,' said Ali.
'You may nick it, but at least that way I knew I wasn't going to be bowled or lbw! With certain bowlers, you can't cover all options, so you accept all you can do is narrow it down to one mode of dismissal. If you nick one, you nick one. That helped me more than if I'd tried to pick every ball because it's so difficult to see.
Advertisement
'I didn't score many against Bumrah, but he didn't get me out in red-ball cricket. There was one game (the fourth Test of 2021) when he hit me on the foot and I was plumb, but the umpire gave me not out. For whatever reason, they didn't review it.
'In white ball cricket, you can't see his slower ball, and in red ball, it's the swing. He's got a very quick bouncer, too, and he's very good at yorkers. He's a modern great.'
Former Australian all-rounder Moises Henriques believes that 'elastic' arm holds the key to Bumrah's success. 'I think what makes him so good is how far in front of his landing foot his arm gets,' Henriques tells The Athletic.
'That basically shortens the wicket for him. It obviously reduces the time the batter can react, even though it might not increase speed.
'And he has such a big separation of limbs. Both his arms are abnormally straight, he gets them up in the air, and they look like they're going all over the place. I guess you'd see that if you ever observe javelin throwers or baseball pitchers.
'He gets that maximum separation, which allows like a big sort of catapult reaction, and he's able to generate ridiculous speed from such a short run up.
'While he may have been blessed with some genetics, his greatest skill is his accuracy and consistency, not just the fa he's a bit left-field. There are a lot of strange actions out there, but they're not necessarily effective.'
There was plenty to enjoy in Leeds on Saturday, with the equally unorthodox and equally dynamic India batter Rishabh Pant becoming the third century-maker of the visitors' innings and celebrating with a somersault.
Then there was Pope repelling Bumrah and company at a time when his position at No 3 in the England order is under threat like never before from the emerging Jacob Bethell.
But most of all, there was Bumrah, who finished the day with a snorter of a bouncer to the reprieved Brook. There will be plenty more to come from the modern great.
Additional reporting by Nick Miller
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Klopp praises Liverpool's record Wirtz deal in simple message
Jurgen Klopp's Verdict on Florian Wirtz Sums Up Liverpool's Bold New Era Florian Wirtz arrives as Liverpool's new centrepiece Liverpool's summer transfer window has exploded into life with the arrival of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, a £116 million acquisition that does more than just break British transfer records. It marks a shift in tone, a signal of intent, and a reaffirmation of ambition from a club freshly crowned Premier League champions. Advertisement While Arne Slot prepares for his second season at Anfield with the trophy already tucked under his arm, it is this move for Wirtz that may define what comes next. Jurgen Klopp, watching from the wings, sees something special. When asked for his thoughts on the transfer, he needed only three words: 'It will be really, really great.' And then, just to ensure no one misunderstood, he added: 'I'm sure of it.' Photo: @LFC Klopp's legacy and Liverpool's evolution Klopp may no longer be patrolling the Anfield touchline, but his influence lingers in the DNA of this club. The German's verdict on Wirtz was more than a polite nod to his countryman's talent. Speaking to RTL, he said: 'It's very difficult to strengthen them when you're champions. But Liverpool have managed that. They've signed an exceptional talent in Florian Wirtz.' Advertisement It is a glowing endorsement, and from a man who knows exactly what it takes to thrive on Merseyside. Klopp saw the evolution coming. He spoke often of leaving the club in a position of strength. That Liverpool can now attract a player courted by Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid is evidence of that vision bearing fruit. Wirtz chooses Liverpool over European royalty The magnitude of this move cannot be overstated. Wirtz, only 22 but already a 31-cap Germany international, had his pick of Europe's giants. Yet the call of Anfield proved irresistible. 'I just thought that it was the right point in my career to make the next step and of course I wanted to get to a club that is from the top three in the world, and in my opinion Liverpool was one of them,' Wirtz explained. Advertisement That conviction did not emerge overnight. It was shaped by conversations and trust, a process that began quietly but quickly grew persuasive. 'Yeah, I just saw myself in the best hands in Liverpool. I was really convinced by the people here, by the idea, and everything what the club offers me was really good. And in the end [it was] also easy to be excited for me to come to Liverpool.' He acknowledged the difficulty of turning his back on German football, but the persistent clarity of vision at Anfield won him over. 'Every time I spoke to one of the people from the club I felt like, 'this is the place I want to be' and so in the end I was really 100 percent convinced I want to join Liverpool and it was the best choice.' More than a transfer, it is a statement There will be questions, naturally. Can Wirtz live up to the £116 million price tag? Will he thrive in the Premier League's unforgiving tempo? But those feel secondary to the bigger picture. This move is not reactive, not scattergun. It is measured, ambitious, and rooted in belief. Advertisement Liverpool, with Arne Slot at the helm and Klopp's words still echoing, have placed their faith in a footballer with the intelligence, flair and maturity to become the new axis of their midfield. The price may be headline-grabbing, but the strategy behind it is anything but impulsive. And in the background, with a quiet smile and those three telling words, Jurgen Klopp watches on.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
How to Watch England vs. India From Anywhere for Free: Livestream 1st Test Cricket
If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Pricing and availability are subject to change. Ben Stokes' England get a five-match contest against a new-look India team underway with an intriguing first Test at Headingley on Friday. Below, we'll outline the best live TV streaming services to watch all the action from the 1st Test as it happens, wherever you are in the world. We'll also explain how to use a VPN if the match isn't available where you are, along with a full match list. Advertisement The hosts will aim to continue India's winless Test series streak on English soil, which dates back to 2007. India, meanwhile, will begin life without Rohit Sharma following the legendary captain's retirement. 25-year-old Shubman Gill, the men's No. 1 one-day batter in the world, is set to skipper for the first time in an international Test match. The 1st Test between England and India takes place between Friday, June 20, and Tuesday, June 24, at Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds. The first ball is set to be played at 11 a.m. BST local time in the UK each day, making it a 3:30 p.m. IST start in India. That's 6 a.m. ET or 3 a.m. PT in the US and Canada, while for Australian cricket fans it's an 8 p.m. AEST start. England captain Ben Stokes will be hoping his side can maintain their excellent recent red ball record at Headingley, having won their last five Test matches at the West Yorkshire venue. How to watch England vs. India 1st Test online from anywhere using a VPN If you're traveling abroad and want to keep up with all the cricket action while away from home, a VPN can help enhance your privacy and security when streaming. Advertisement It encrypts your traffic and prevents your internet service provider from throttling your speeds. A VPN can also be helpful when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks while traveling, adding an extra layer of protection for your devices and logins. VPNs are legal in many countries, including the US and Canada, and can be used for legitimate purposes such as improving online privacy and security. However, some streaming services may have policies restricting VPN use to access region-specific content. If you're considering a VPN for streaming, check the platform's terms of service to ensure compliance. If you choose to use a VPN, follow the provider's installation instructions, ensuring you're connected securely and in compliance with applicable laws and service agreements. Some streaming platforms may block access when a VPN is detected, so verifying if your streaming subscription allows VPN use is crucial. ExpressVPN ExpressVPN is our current best VPN pick for people who want a reliable and safe VPN that works on a variety of devices. It's normally $13 a month, but if you sign up for an annual subscription for $100, you'll get three months free and save 49%. That's the equivalent of $6.67 a month. Advertisement Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. See at ExpressVPN Livestream England vs. India in the US and Canada This Test series is being broadcast live in North America on cricket-streaming service Willow TV. Willow Willow TV, a dedicated cricket-streaming service, is available from various cable providers, including Spectrum, Dish and Xfinity. The service is also available via OTT provider Sling TV via its Desi Binge Plus or Dakshin Flex plans. Willow TV is also an add-on for OTT provider Fubo, with plans starting at $92 per month, which covers the base Fubo subscription plus another $7 for the add-on package that includes Willow TV. Advertisement See at Willow Livestream the 1st Test in India This Test series is being televised on Sony Sports Ten 1 and Sony Sports Ten 5 linear channels in India, and can be livestreamed via JioHotstar. JioHotstar JioHotstar is available in three different tiers, with prices starting at Rs. 299. See at JioHotstar Watch England vs. India in the UK Live coverage of this summer Test series final is exclusive to Sky Sports in the UK, with all games shown live on its Sky Sports cricket channel. If you already have Sky Sports as part of your TV package, you can stream the tournament via its Sky Go app, but cord-cutters will want to set up a Now account and a Now Sports membership to stream the action. Now Sky subsidiary Now offers streaming access to Sky Sports channels with a Now Sports membership. You can get a day of access for £15, or sign up to a monthly plan from £35 per month right now. Advertisement See at Now Stream England vs. India for free around the world Scores of countries around the world can watch this Test series live and for free via the International Cricket Council's very own streaming service ICC TV. A full list of which countries can access the free livestream can be found here. ICC TV ICC TV offers free live coverage of international cricket in select countries around the world. The service also offers match highlights and an extensive library of on-demand ICC films and documentaries. You can watch via the website through its dedicated apps for Android and Apple devices. Advertisement See at ICC TV Livestream England vs. India in South Africa In South Africa, this Test series is being shown on SuperSport. If you can't watch on your TV, you can also watch via the network's streaming service for PC and Mac, as well as via SuperSport's mobile app. SuperSport Pay TV network SuperSport boasts exclusive live coverage of all the action in Pakistan and Dubai. See at SuperSport Stream England vs. India in Australia Cricket fans Down Under can watch the action from Headingley on Foxtel as well as its sister streaming service Kayo Sports. Kayo Sports A Kayo Sports subscription starts at AU$25 a month and lets you stream on one screen, while its Premium tier costs AU$40 a month for simultaneous viewing on up to three devices. Advertisement The service gives you access to a wide range of sports, including F1, NRL, NFL, NHL and MLB, and there are no lock-in contracts. Better still, if you're a new customer, you can take advantage of a one-week Kayo Sports free trial. See at Kayo Sports Stream England vs. India in New Zealand Pay TV broadcaster Sky Sport has broadcast rights to show the series live in New Zealand. Sky Sport Pay-TV broadcaster Sky Sport will be showing the Test series between England and India live in New Zealand. That also means you can also watch every game online using the network's Sky Go streaming service. See at Sky Quick tips for streaming the England vs. India Test series using a VPN
Washington Post
2 hours ago
- Washington Post
Reds' Elly De La Cruz and Mariners reliever Trent Thornton fall ill while playing in extreme heat
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz and Seattle Mariners reliever Trent Thornton got sick Saturday while playing in the extreme heat that covered much of the United States. De La Cruz vomited on the field with two outs in the fourth inning of Cincinnati's extra-inning loss at the St. Louis Cardinals. He was checked on by a trainer, and two workers from the grounds crew cleaned up the area. 'I actually watched him. He drank a bunch of water. I mean a bunch,' Reds manager Terry Francona said, 'and then he went right out and got rid of it.' The 23-year-old De La Cruz, who is from the Dominican Republic, stayed in the game and hit a two-run homer in the seventh. Thornton pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings for Seattle before departing in the eighth in a 10-7 loss at the Chicago Cubs. The 31-year-old right-hander had to be helped from the field. Mariners manager Dan Wilson said Thornton had 'a little bit of a heat-related illness.' 'It was a scary moment, for sure,' Wilson said. 'He battled hard. But just really glad that he's feeling a little bit better now and should be OK.' The gametime temperature for Reds at Cardinals was 92 degrees, and it was 94 for the first pitch of the Mariners' loss to the Cubs. Milwaukee's game at Minnesota was played under an excessive heat warning. Seattle and Chicago finished their game with three umpires after Chad Whitson got sick. Dexter Kelley moved from second base to home plate. Whitson was treated in the Mariners' dugout. 'He came in, same kind of thing. Just was not feeling well,' Wilson said. 'Threw up a few times in the dugout and then they came and took care of him from there. The heat was a real thing today, for sure.' Whitson was dealing with some dehydration, but a Major League Baseball spokesman said he was doing better Saturday night and had been cleared to work third base for the series finale. A Wrigley Field staffer had a heat-related medical issue right after Saturday's game, according to a spokesman for the Cubs. He was tended to by medical personnel and walked off the field on his own. The Cubs set up cooling and misting stations throughout Wrigley to help fans with the heat on Saturday, along with additional emergency personnel. The team had similar plans in place for Sunday, along with bringing in a city bus to use as a cooling station on the street. ___ AP MLB:
