Ishant looking to adapt to the rigours of Hove
India seamer Ishant Sharma has accepted the challenge of dealing with the slope at the Hove, home ground to Sussex for whom he has signed.
Ishant bowled just 13 overs in a rain ruined warm up match against Surrey having last played for India during the Test series in South Africa.
Sussex bowlers Chris Jordan and Jofra Archer are currently enjoying stints in the Indian Premier League while Ishant prioritizes the longest format ahead of the four Test tour later in the season.
Ishant said: “From downhill you get some good bounce because you are running down the slope.
“It looks like you are bowling back of a length.
“The ground is not what I am used to. We always have a level type of ground in India, nothing like uphill and down.
“But I will soon get used to the conditions.
“In India you hardly get this sort of bounce. I rely more on the bounce and hitting the deck really hard.
“When you go abroad the ball is always moving, with the Duke’s ball, and you get bounce. That is what my bowling is all about.
“I back myself and hit the deck hard and get the rewards.
“That is what I’m looking to do now.”
ALSO READ: Shastri launches scathing attack on India’s critics
Photo by: Shaun Roy / BCCI / SPORTZPICS
Ishant is eager to learn from his time in England in the hope of prolonging a career increasingly threatened by India’s growing pace stocks.
He spoke of the role a county stint with Worcestershire helped Zaheer Khan break back into the India group.
Ishant added: “Zak did well. After, he came back to the India team and was totally a different bowler after that.
Sussex open their County Championship campaign with a match against Warwickshire at Edgbaston on Friday.
Latest
-
T20 cricketEngland news: Injury-hit Jofra Archer back for first time in nearly a year
Archer is still some way off a return after heading to his native Barbados following a second operation on a longstanding elbow complaint last month.
-
ODI cricketSouth Africa vs India: Quinton de Kock will be welcomed ‘with open arms’
Quinton de Kock will be welcomed with open arms in the South Africa squad to face India in a limited-overs series.
-
Women's CricketNat Sciver: England ‘a bit more calm’ now after ‘tricky’ start to Australia tour
The multi-format Women’s Ashes series is set to get under way on Thursday with the first of three T20 internationals.
-
T20 cricketDavid Payne feels England T20 call-up provides opportunity to realise Test dream
The tall left-armer is still awaiting his first international cap and turns 31 next month.
-
Test cricketHere’s who should be in the England XI for the first Ashes Test of 2023
Following the latest Ashes humiliation, Matt Whiley selects an England Test team that we can finally be proud of.
-
Test cricketAustralia tour to Pakistan: Pace attack could be boosted
Australia are likely to include a raft of pace bowlers in their squad for the scheduled tour to Pakistan in March.
-
Test cricketSouth Africa vs India: Keegan Petersen still coming to terms with stardom
New South Africa batting star Keegan Petersen has not quite gotten his head around his newfound fame.
-
The AshesAshes reaction: Kevin Pietersen backs Joe Root and coach Chris Silverwood
Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has backed current captain Joe Root and coach Chris Silverwood to remain in charge of the team.
-
The AshesEngland Test team: ECB investigating after police called to Ashes drinks following Hobart Test
Players and staff from both the Australian and English teams were at the event.
-
Test cricketRassie van der Dussen relished India banter in tough Test series
The series between South Africa and India rode on a knife-edge.