‘Today’s bowlers not accurate enough’

Chennai: With the T20 format skewed in favour of batting and the resultant proliferation of innovative strokemaking, the challenge for bowlers is becoming increasingly daunting. While modern-day batters do all they can to unsettle bowlers and find the fence, how do the latter respond? The answer lies not in variation but in accuracy, and that is where most are lacking, believes Chennai Super Kings assistant coach Eric Simons.
“If you took an international seam bowler and asked him to hit a target, he would only hit three or four out of 10. I don’t think international bowlers are as accurate as they need to be.
“To strive for variations or innovation is not the answer. The answer for modern cricketers is accuracy,” said Simons during an interaction.
The former India bowling consultant added that young bowlers these days are not striving for accuracy and if they did, they could be much better placed in pressure situations. “If they can hit the target seven or eight times out of 10, that is where the next layer works. I don’t think young bowlers are focusing on being accurate and that is where the answer lies,” he said.
Major bowling innovations may not be likely, but if a bowler has an unorthodox bowling style, sticking to it makes sense as per Simons. “In the past, people used to strive for a classic technique. Today, you stay away from it. The more unorthodox you are, the better. Consider (Lasith) Malinga’s round-arm action or (Kagiso) Rabada who’s a little bit off the wrong leg.
“If the bowler’s got something unique, do not change it. The batter is used to facing the normal, so if there’s something different, it’s a blessing,” he explained.
The philosophy of sticking to your guns is at the heart of CSK’s approach as they are a side known for backing their players and methods. When his bowlers persist with their plans despite getting hit, it makes Simons happy.