Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) bowling coach, Heath Streak feels batsmen are better off against yorkers, as most of the batsmen are good hitters of the ball.
Meanwhile, Kolkata is in a good space with two wins from two games and will be eager to stop the red-hot Kings XI Punjab.
However, Punjab has won two games after posting 190 plus scores on the board banking on Chris Gayle.
Kolkata square off against Punjab on April 21 (Saturday) at the historic Eden Gardens.
Yorkers have become predictable
Streak believes with batsmen good hitters of the ball; yorkers are not any more effective.
However, he recommended for wide yorkers and different variations of slower deliveries as a better option.
“Not only is there the possibility of the bowler becoming predictable but also there is the risk of an attempted yorker being a half-volley or a low full toss. With most batsmen being such good ball strikers of the ball, it could go to the boundary. Also, now players will use the ramp shot even if there is a fine-leg. They can even go for the reverse ramp, and that too has challenged the bowlers,” Streak said.
“There are not many players who can consistently hit sixes on the off-side. I think the effectiveness of variation balls has also come into it. They have become the flavor of the tournament and people are developing different varieties of the slower ball, not just the good old off-cutter and one off the back of the hand. We’ve seen the knuckle ball, (Dwayne) Bravo’s ball…,” he added.
KKR seamers will get better with time
Streak believes Kolkata’s fast bowlers will improve, as the tournament progresses. He also added his bowlers are low on match practice and will need some time to get going.
Streak also lauded the young Shivam Mavi, who has impressed with his brisk pace and accuracy. He also feels Mavi will improve over the seasons and his fielding has helped KKR this season.
“Shivam Mavi has had “an outstanding” start for someone who was playing under-19 cricket earlier this year, and he too would get better over the next two seasons, Streak concluded.
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