Dale Steyn
Dale Steyn Photograph:Christiaan Kotze/AFP/Getty Images

Former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn has suggested the idea of free-hit to introduce in Test Cricket which would help tailenders to survive longer when bowlers bowl no balls.

Notable that in T20 and ODIs there is a rule of a free hit when a bowler bowls a no-ball. In free hit delivery, the batter can’t be dismissed other than run-out dismissal.

“6 balls is Hard enough for the tailenders facing a top-class life-threatening fast bowler”- Dale Steyn

“Free hit for No Ball in Test Cricket… What you think? Will definitely help the bowlers (when batting) survive those extended 7/8 and sometimes 9 ball overs we’ve seen happen before… 6 balls is Hard enough for the tailenders facing a top class life threatening fast bowler,” Dale Steyn tweeted this during the second day’s play in the Cape Town Test.

Notable that Steyn suggested this idea when Bumrah gave a short ball barrage to Marco Jansen on either side of Tea session on the second day’s play. In the last Test at Johannesburg, Marco Jansen treated Bumrah with some chin music so this time it was Bumrah’s turn to return the favour. In the process, the duo also exchanged a few words as well. However, it was Bumrah who had the last laugh as he castled the 21-year old as his off-stump went for cartwheeling.

Bumrah returned with another fifer in Test cricket as India got a minor lead of 13 runs. Dale Steyn also sent a congratulatory tweet for Bumrah.

“Anyway, makes for a interesting discussion. Serious Test Match happening here, well bowled Bumrah for the 5,” Dale Steyn tweeted.

As he suggested the idea, there were floods of responses in and against the idea.

Earlier in India’s tour to England, a similar incident happened when Bumrah gave a barrage of short balls to James Anderson in a test match at Lord’s. The veteran pacer wasn’t pleased with it as he publicly criticized India’s tactics to target a no. 11 with short-pitched stuff.

At the end of the day, Steyn himself gave a second thought to his idea.

“I must say, imagine Steve Smith bowling a no ball last ball of Day 5 and Anderson leaving the next ball free hit to be clean bowled and not out to save a Test would be a little ridiculous,” Dale Steyn replied to ESPNCricinfo referring to the thrilling draw happened last week in Sydney.

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