England have turned their hopes to the state-of-the-art bowling machine, Merlyn, in a bid to counter India’s spin twins Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, after a disappointing loss in the first T20I.
Spin was always going to be a major factor in the series, and Yadav proved as much with his five-wicket haul in the opening match. With a lot of their batsmen found wanting against the turning ball, England are hoping the spin-bowling machine will help them prepare.
“One thing we can do with Merlyn is to replicate the angle,” said Jos Buttler, who was one of the few batsmen to look comfortable against the Indian spinners. “It’s a very good machine to get used to that.
"He completely deceived us" – Eoin Morgan after Kuldeep Yadav's five-for gave India victory in the first T20I.
More from Morgan and Yadav ⬇️https://t.co/1rVOGlnBn7
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) July 4, 2018
“But it was the first time some guys have faced Kuldeep and it may take one or two games, plus video.”
Yadav returned career-best T20I figures of 5-24 bamboozling the batsmen with his left-arm wrist-spin. His wickets included Alex Hales, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Buttler and Eoin Morgan, all key figures in this power-packed England line-up.
Buttler attributed his recent successes to being in better place, mentally. “It’s about accessing the mental side of the game and that’s been pleasing, to work out good routines and staying in the moment in games,” he said.
“You see guys around the world doing that and it’s been a case of trying to work out how they do that.
“But it’s your own mindfulness as well. When I was younger I didn’t pay much attention to that or trust it enough, it was all about technique in practice. Being calm is allowing me to make good decisions, which is pleasing.”
