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Journalism of Courage
The ball was more than 75 overs old. The shine gone, the stitching worn, shape a bit disfigured and movement through the air lazy. The type of ball more suited to a spinner’s hand — unless of course one is a pacer who practices the sub-continental art of reverse swing. With just an over left for stumps, Irfan Pathan, all of two Tests old and with Steve Waugh’s scalp in his kitty, ran up for the third delivery of his 15th over. Bowling left-arm round the wicket, he released the ball at his usual 120-130 kmph to the left-handed Gilchrist.
The ball darted towards the base of the stumps, heading for leg — before suddeny straightening out, as the reverse swing took effect. It sneaked below Gilchrist’s bat to hit the off-stump — a boomerang for the Aussie wicketkeeper. Cue Pathan’s gravity-defying leap in the air.
The art of reverse swing, an old-ball speciality, originated in Pakistan where the two great Ws — Waqar and Wasim — used it to deadly effect against unsuspecting, defenceless batsmen. Pathan is a confirmed Wasim fan and after his debut at Adelaide had thanked the great Pakistan bowler for the few tips he had passed to him.
Which begs just one question: when will Wasim Akram officially be named bowling coach of the Indian team?
