The great Steve Smith suggested that a bowler should only be able to bowl a certain number of leg-side bouncers. The former captain of Australia said that if a pace bowler bowls leg-side bouncers with a densely packed leg-side field, the hitter finds it difficult to strike the ball down the line.
As a result, Smith believed that the umpires ought to begin classifying a pacer’s deliveries as wides after he delivers one or two leg-side bouncers. He compared it to how right-arm spinners who purposefully bowl over the wicket and left-arm spinners receive warnings and finally have their deliveries declared wide when they don’t yield.
“I believe there might be a few minor adjustments to the rules regarding balls rolling down the leg side when that field is set up. The ball truly cannot be hit anywhere in front of the wicket, and it almost feels like when a left-arm spinner comes over the wicket and the leg-side warns them, then they start getting ‘wided’. If you’re bowling down the leg with balls in those areas frequently, then the ruling ought to be similar to the spinner’s, if that makes sense. The Sydney Morning Herald cited Smith as saying, “Basically, bowl one or two, then get a warning, and then get wides called.”
Getting those catchers (fielders) in position can be difficult, no doubt. If you get too far down, there’s really nowhere else you can score, and all the fielders are there. That’s the only thing I’d like to see. I wouldn’t mind seeing that shift alone,” Smith continued.
On Day 1 of Australia vs. New Zealand’s maiden Test match in Wellington, the seasoned player made 31 runs before falling behind. Cameron Green, who was unbeaten at 103 off 155, helped Australia finish the day with 279/9 in 85 overs.
Steve Smith praised Neil Wagner for his bouncer accuracy.
Due in large part to his skill at bowling precise and accurate short deliveries, Neil Wagner has amassed an outstanding career total of wickets over his illustrious cricket career.
“All things considered, Neil has demonstrated some good technique in his ability to continuously get the ball between throat and chest height, avoid bowling his two bouncers for the over, and simply keep doing it. It can be difficult, but it’s a useful skill—especially for guys who pull the ball,” Smith said.
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