Keep pressure up in fourth innings: Reid

Bruce Reid, once India’s bowling consultant during their famous tour of Australia, and rumoured recently of becoming India’s bowling coach...

Bruce Reid, once India’s bowling consultant during their famous tour of Australia, and rumoured recently of becoming India’s bowling coach (something that never really materialised), assigns India’s bowling failure to failure in putting requisite pressure in the fourth innings.

’’Why, what’s wrong mate?’’ was how Reid answered a call from The Indian Express, when asked about the Indians’ dismal bowling performance in the first two Tests. With first hand experience of India from the Australian tour, he succinctly explained the discrepancies found in Irfan Pathan or Anil Kumble for their inability to bowl out the West Indians.

“Look, if you are expecting your bowlers to run through sides, no matter what the conditions…’’ he says, elaborating: “One aspect, if you would call it a letdown, has been India’s inability to maintain the same kind of pressure while bowling in the fourth innings.

“But to me, it is logical to believe that the conditions weren’t close to what Kumble would like to have. The reason why he has succeeded so much on the sub-continent wickets is precisely because the he’s got the much needed help from tracks that are sharp and turn viciously.’’

Reid recalls experience, saying: “The wickets in West Indies can be really dead. You need bowlers who can bowl something at 90 mph or probably some luck. There is a lot of difference in bowling in the first innings and bowling in the last innings.’’

The former Australian cricketer and Hampshire’s coach has some good news too. “Pathan, to me, has been progressing with every series. He has developed into a smart bowler who knows where his advantages lie. But the rest of the attack is very young, very clueless about what is expected of them. You need to give them time, mate,’’ says Reid.