McCullum’s move draws flak: ‘Pacers better for Super Over’

“I think it was a mistake asking Ajantha to bowl,” says his Sri Lanka team mate and Mumbai Indians pacer Dilhara Fernando. “A pace bowler is always a better choice to bowl in these conditions,they are a bit harder to hit anyway.”

While Harbhajan Singh doesn’t rule out the possibility of spinners contributing,he admits that “it gets really difficult when the batsman is only looking to hit.”

Shaun Pollock,meanwhile,felt that the target was extremely defendable,but “when you get hit for a six off the first ball,things become really easy.”

Incidentally,Chris Gayle took 22 runs off Daniel Vettori — arguably the world’s best T20 bowler — in a Super Over while playing for West Indies against New Zealand.

Shane Warne,who tossed the ball to pacer Kamran,admitted that he too had considered bowling either himself or Yusuf Pathan. “But the conditions were different towards the end of the match. The ground was very wet and it was difficult to hold the ball,which is why I decided against using spin,” Warne said.

Brendon McCullum,on his part,admitted that Ishant was an option,but he thought Mendis was the best bowler on show so he preferred to go ahead with him. “Mendis bowled outstandingly well in the game and he got Yusuf Pathan out as well. I thought that if Yusuf tried to hit him once too often and put one straight up in the air,then that would have enough to win the game.

“Also,I asked Mendy if he wanted it and he was jumping out of his skin. Anyone who wants a job like that,I’m more than happy to give it to them rather than try and find someone else.”