South Africa’s Marco Jansen has revealed he tried to replicate Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling technique after watching replays of the Indian bowler. Jansen watched replays from the first Test match in Kolkata last year. He said he attempted to copy Bumrah’s technique during the warm-up games for the ongoing T20 World Cup.
Jansen felt the ball was moving off the wicket with quick and sharp movement after trying Bumrah’s technique. According to Jansen, he noticed the revolutions Bumrah imparted on the ball. “In the first Test match [in Kolkata], I looked at [Jasprit Bumrah], at the replays of his wickets, and I saw from his hand and the ball that there were so many revs on the ball. I figured, let me just try and emulate what he’s doing,” Jansen said as per ESPNcricinfo.
Warm-Up Success Led to Match Application
Jansen explained the results he saw in the warm-up. “So in the warm-up, I did it, and it looked like something was happening. It seemed like the ball was actually moving off the wicket, and it was like that sharp, quick movement.”
He then put the technique into practice during a match. “Then I tried it in the match, and I took two wickets quickly, and I just sort of stuck with it and went with it.”
Semi-Final Preparation in Kolkata
Jansen’s remarks came before the Proteas’ semi-final clash against New Zealand. The match is to be held at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the same venue where he first experimented with Bumrah’s bowling technique.
South Africa and New Zealand have had different routes to the semi-finals. Jansen has performed well in the T20 World Cup so far. He has taken 11 wickets in five matches, averaging 16.72.
South Africa and New Zealand Squad Details
The South Africa squad is: Aiden Markram(c), Quinton de Kock(w), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Anrich Nortje, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Jason Smith.
The New Zealand squad is: Tim Seifert(w), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner(c), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy, James Neesham, Kyle Jamieson, Devon Conway.
Jansen’s revelation about emulating Bumrah comes as he prepares for a crucial semi-final match.