Australian legend Ricky Ponting picks the best fast bowler in the world in all formats
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has picked Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah as ‘the best fast bowler in all formats’ following his brilliance in the Perth Test. Praising the right-arm pacer, Ponting added that Bumrah is worthy of the tag of India's greatest fast bowler.
In Rohit Sharma's absence, Bumrah led from the front for India in the Perth Test, claiming five wickets in the first innings and three in the second. The visitors were without the services of seasoned fast bowler Mohammed Shami, who has recently returned to domestic cricket. Bumrah, however, ensured that India did not feel his absence even as debutant pacer Harshit Rana stepped up to the challenge.
Speaking to ICC Review, Ponting hailed the Indian fast bowler over his Perth heroics and commented:
“It was so important for the captain to stand up. I think he showed everyone why he's clearly the best fast bowler in the world in all formats of the game."
“What he did there, not only in the first innings but for that entire game – his pace, his consistency, his ability to move the ball, his ability to continually challenge the stumps and hit the stumps, [it] was the difference between him and everyone else that bowled in that game,” the Aussie batting great added.
India were on the back foot after being bowled out for 150 in their first innings. The captain, however, claimed 5-30 as the Aussies were held to 104. The right-arm pacer also starred with 3-42 in the second innings after Australia were set a huge target of 534 runs.
"It's not all about wickets" - Ricky Ponting on Jasprit Bumrah's brilliance
Recently, Australia's batting all-rounder Glenn Maxwell made a huge statement about Bumrah and said he has the potential to be the 'best fast bowler of all time'. Asked for his take on the debate, Ponting replied that he is already India's greatest fast bowler.
“I think he's definitely India's greatest fast bowler. A lot of the greats before him didn't play all three formats as much as he has. I can put my hand up and ask people to sit back and watch and say that in T20 cricket, one-day cricket and Test match cricket, he's clearly the best right now," the 49-year-old said.
On what separates Bumrah from some of the other fast bowlers around the world, the former Australian batter explained:
"It's not all about wickets. It's about performing at a high level for a long period of time. We saw the other day when he gets the right conditions, just how good he can be. If he keeps going the way that he is, then there'll be a lot of people saying what Glenn Maxwell said I'm sure."
Bumrah (30) has played 200 matches across the three formats and has claimed 419 wickets at an average of 20.80, with 13 five-fers.