Amir’s form is good news for Pakistan cricket: Andy Roberts
Jul 8, 2016 at 4:03 PM
Somerset coach Matthew Maynard reckons Pakistan’s left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir, who will play his first Test in six years next week, reminds him of West Indies great Andy Roberts.
Pakistan have played their first tour match of their England tour against Somerset. Bowler Mohammad Amir, who was jailed for five years as he was found guilty in match fixing in 2010 during the Lord’s Test, ripped apart the Somerset batting department with three wickets haul.
After the match Somerset coach Matthew Maynard was impressed with Amir’s spell. Amir inswinger uprooted two wickets and edged Marcus Trescothick. Amir was bowling with sheer pace and swing.
Overall in the match, Amir has taken four wickets.
Maynard is a former England batsman. He told the reporters in Taunton, “He (Amir) was swinging it massive in the first innings, proper late big swing. He’s a threat, he always has been, hasn’t he? He’s got that pace, he’s wiry, he’s got a change-up, you don’t see that too often these days.
“He’s someone who almost bowls at 90 per cent, 95 per cent of his capabilities and then he throws that 100 percenter in, that change of pace up, like the old great Andy Roberts.”
Andy Robers, West Indies one of the most formidable pace bowler, told an Indian newspaper that Maynard had paid him a compliment. “It’s a compliment because somebody remembers me,” said Roberts from Trinidad.
“When I saw Amir for the first time he appeared something special. Then, he got banned (for spot fixing) and is back now. He hasn’t played a lot. Whether he has regained his craftiness is to be seen, but doing well in the lead-up to the Test series is good news for Pakistan. At least this will ensure England don’t prepare tracks which will suit their bowlers.”
The strongly built, tall West Indies bowler said bowler should use their brain more. “I don’t see that happening enough. It has become a power-based game and a lot of stuff is overdone. Bowlers need to vary their pace, but that does not mean they have got to bowl a lot of slower balls,” said Roberts. Roberts was known for deadly two back to back bouncers. The second one would be a lot quicker dan
The second bouncer would be a lot quicker and dangerous than the first one.
Pakistan will play their first ODI on July 14 at the Lord’s.