Why fast bowling remains one of cricket’s most exhilarating spectacles

Why fast bowling remains one of cricket’s most exhilarating spectacles
Delhi Capitals’ Mitchell Marsh bowls a delivery during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings in Chennai on May 10, 2023. (AP)
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Updated 11 May 2023

Why fast bowling remains one of cricket’s most exhilarating spectacles

Why fast bowling remains one of cricket’s most exhilarating spectacles
  • In addition to technique, bowlers also display ability to swing ball in air, make it deviate off pitch

There is no more exhilarating sight in cricket than that of a fast bowler running in to deliver the ball, except, that is, if you are the person holding the bat.

In my youth, I faced one of England’s fastest bowlers of the time. I barely saw the ball, let alone possessed the hand-eye coordination to make a proper reaction to play an intended shot.

It is, therefore, unimaginable what it would have been like to face the fastest bowler ever recorded. In 2002, Shoaib Akhtar, known as the Rawalpindi Express, became the first bowler to break the 100 miles per hour barrier, equivalent to 161.3 kilometers per hour. His achievement still stands.

A radar gun has been used since 1999 to calculate bowling speeds in international matches and some first-class matches.

A gun is mounted on a pole located next to the sight screen behind the boundary and behind the bowler. It measures the speed of the ball from one end of the pitch to the other, in comparable manner to how the speed of a motor vehicle is calculated. Speeding tickets were first introduced in the late 1940s in the US, but it was some time before speed-gun technology arrived in sport.

First it was baseball in the 1970s, to measure speed of pitch, then tennis in 1989, to calculate the speed of service. It was another 10 years before cricket adopted the technology.

The gun transmits a microwave beam toward the entire distance of the pitch and detects the movement of any object along with the pitch. Spectators, coaches, analysts, and players can see the ball-speed calculation displayed on screen.

Sceptics are apt to point out that the speed gun is not 100 percent accurate, suggesting that Akhtar may not have achieved 100 mph. He said: “It doesn’t matter to me whether somebody recognises the speed gun or not. For me, it’s satisfying that I have bowled the fastest-ever delivery.”

It is, however, the case that the gun is accurate to within 1 mph up to 60 mph and within 3 percent over this. The laser could be 2.7 mph out at 90 mph. Generally, bowlers are categorised as slow, if delivering the ball between 40 mph and 60 mph, medium pace between 60 mph and 80 mph, and fast over 80 mph.

The characteristics which determine which bowlers fit into which category are complex. These relate to technique, physical condition, mental strength, and aptitude for practice.

There are five stages in bowling technique — run-up, pre-delivery stride, delivery stride, ball release, and follow through. In the case of fast bowlers, the run-up assumes increased importance. This needs to be at a level appropriate to produce high linear velocity while still allowing the bowler to perform the bowling action properly.

Every bowler has a different body shape, so each one has a separate way of generating acceleration in the run-up. Foot contact on the ground is also important, as ground reaction forces are used to generate both pace and deceleration in the delivery stage.

One of the great fast bowlers, Michael Holding of Jamaica, had such a smooth, silent, run-up that he was nicknamed Whispering Death. Another great, Australia’s Dennis Lillee, appeared from the distance, almost back to the sight screen on some grounds, in menacing fashion. During his furious sprint to the wicket, his mane of hair would blow in the wind, his moustache bristle, while his unbuttoned shirt revealed a bouncing gold chain.

In the pre-delivery stage, the bowler leaps into the air to allow the body to be organized for the delivery. This means that the lower body is decelerated, and the upper body of hips, shoulders, and bowling arm are accelerated.

In the delivery stage, the back foot contacts the ground first, exerting pressure on the spine. When the front foot contacts the ground, there are forces up to nine times the bowler’s body weight relying on the front leg to keep the body stable. Prior to delivery, the upper body is driven forward, pivoting on the front knee. At the point of ball release, the position of the bowling arm in relation to the front foot impacts on ball speed. The faster bowlers tend to delay delivery.

It is little wonder that fast bowlers succumb to injury. In 1973, Lillee’s lower vertebrae were fractured in three places, his career possibly over. Displaying the mental toughness required for fast bowlers, he embarked on a fastidiously planned recouperation that included a remodelling of his action. A year-and-a-half later, he returned to international cricket, an even more potent performer.

Lillee had added a change of pace, deliveries which cut into the batters to complement his natural ability to swing the ball away, and a more strategic use of the bouncer.

In addition to bowling technique, there is also the ability to swing the ball in the air and make it deviate off the pitch. Fast bowlers who can ally these facets with superior bowling technique are fearsome prospects to face.

Ultimately, Lillee claimed 355 Test wickets. Richard Hadlee of New Zealand, although slightly slower, claimed 431 Test wickets with a similar range of talents. In similar fashion, James Anderson of England has so far now taken 685 Test wickets.

All three started their careers erratically, maintained incredible levels of fitness, overcame injury, trained and worked hard, and possessed innate technical skills which they honed as they grew older and wiser. In Lillie’s words they “never gave in, no matter the condition of the match.”

All of this demands a particular type of personality to overcome setbacks and dismiss batters. Fast bowlers express this in separate ways.

Lillee had a reputation for getting involved in or starting duels and altercations, Anderson has a reputation for appearing grumpy when things are not going well, while Hadlee displayed a deeply forensic and strategic approach to his task. Each of them has shown that raw pace needs to be allied to technical and mental attributes for success to be achieved.


T20 break gives longer formats time in spotlight

T20 break gives longer formats time in spotlight
Updated 01 June 2023

T20 break gives longer formats time in spotlight

T20 break gives longer formats time in spotlight
  • Fears franchise cricket remuneration would persuade top players to jettison Test matches proven unfounded

Finally, in the early hours of Tuesday in Ahmedabad, the 2023 Indian Premier League ended after a marathon 74 matches.

Chennai Super Kings triumphed dramatically over Gujarat Titans, last year’s winners, off the last ball, to claim their fifth IPL success.

Attention will now turn away from the Twenty20 format, which threatens to devour professional cricket, to the longer forms, both of which have existentialist concerns.

England began a sequence of six Test matches on June 1. The first of these, against Ireland at Lord’s, represents only the seventh Test played by Ireland since becoming an International Cricket Council full member in 2018. It is a prelude to a five-match Ashes series against Australia. While the match against Ireland will not be sold out, those against Australia will be, for sure.

In between England’s match against Ireland and the start of the Ashes, India and Australia will contest the World Test Championship at The Oval, in London. The two teams finished in the top two places out of nine full members who participated in the 2021 to 2023 cycle.

Each team was scheduled to play six series, three at home and three away. This meant that each team did not play each other equally, playing six of the other eight members. A series consists of between two and five matches, all scheduled to be played over five days.

The unevenness of the tournament led to teams playing a different number of matches. England played the most, 22, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh the least, with 12 each.

Final places were determined by ranking teams according to the percentage of points obtained out of the total number of points contested. Twelve points were awarded for a win, six for a tie, and four for a draw, with points deducted for slow over rates, England being the prime losers in that area. Australia achieved a 66.7 percentage of points available, India, 58.8, ahead of South Africa’s 55.6.

In mid-August 2022, South Africa led the table with a points percentage of 75. After that, they fell away, losing twice to England before succumbing to Australia in December and January.

In particular, South Africa’s batting was disappointing. The team was forced into transition, as some of its best players chose to focus on T20 franchise cricket. Indeed, at least one of them was playing in Australia’s Big Bash at the same time the Test team was struggling in Australia. Given that new T20 franchise tournaments were about to open in South Africa and the UAE, much soul-searching about the future of Test cricket occurred.

It generated various views and suggestions. One was that the 12 full members be divided into two equal groups with promotion and relegation between groups. This was based on the view that, if Tests became too one-sided, spectators would lose interest. Others argued that only by playing the stronger teams would the weaker ones improve.

In any event, the 12 full members have signed up to the Future Tours Program and WTC for the next eight years. The prize money available in the current cycle totals $3.8 million. The winning team will receive $1.6 million and the runner-up, $800,000. Teams placed between third and ninth positions will get between $450,000 and $100,000.

An often-expressed fear is that the remuneration available in franchise cricket will persuade top players to jettison Test cricket. Yet, most of these players continue to emphasize that Test cricket is the pinnacle of the game, the ultimate test of their physical, technical, and mental attributes.

There is little doubt that Test cricket is alive and well in Australia, England, and India. Concerns exist about other countries, largely because they do not generate sufficient income from Tests, as attendances are low. This means that national boards are either unable or unwilling to pay players sufficient salaries to prevent them turning their heads toward the more rewarding franchises.

Cricket South Africa’s financial problems led to its espousal of a T20 franchise tournament, while constrained opportunities for Pakistani players to boost incomes in the IPL and Indian-owned franchises are well documented.

Many people would like to peer into a crystal ball to foresee the landscape of cricket in 15 to 20 years’ time. In 2002, the prospect of T20 cricket being a dominant mode would have been laughed off. How wrong that view was, the format initially derided as “pyjama cricket.” Now, the straws in the wind appear to be forming a pattern.

T20 cricket, especially in franchise format, is here to stay for the foreseeable future, with one or, possibly, two additional franchises to come – the US Major League will start in July. Certain domestic structures, especially in England, pose challenges to further franchise expansion.

Test cricket is likely to prosper, primarily in three to four countries, with others playing their part according to finances and scheduling opportunities within the FTP.

One-day cricket is under threat but is set to continue at international level in World Cup format, with its extensive qualifying stages, at least until 2031.

There does appear to be a growing consensus among those who hold the future of the game in their gift that strategies to achieve co-existence between the various formats is the optimum way forward.

In moving toward that consensus, it is possible for everyone, or nearly everyone, to benefit. The game is nothing without high-quality players. That is why national boards must keep their elite players sufficiently remunerated. Failure to do so could lead to the crumbling of current structures.

Underneath the elite level, there are already signs of changing allegiances. A prime example is that of England’s Jason Roy, who asked for his incremental contract with his national board to be cancelled so that he could play more profitably in the US.

That does not mean he will never play again for England. However, the agreement signified a recognition by both parties of an action which represents another stage in the shifting relationships between players and boards.


How Saudi cricket is building bridges between cultures

How Saudi cricket is building bridges between cultures
Updated 30 May 2023

How Saudi cricket is building bridges between cultures

How Saudi cricket is building bridges between cultures
  • From street matches to the success of the national team, the sport’s profile is rising among both locals and expats across the Kingdom

JEDDAH: The sun was directly over Jeddah’s sprawling cityscape, casting a warm orange glow as a group of men gathered in an empty lot.

They were in casual attire, with some wearing cricket jerseys and others in traditional shalwar kameez outfits. The sound of lively chatter and laughter filled the air as they set up for a tape-ball cricket game.

The men worked together to mark out a makeshift pitch on the dusty plot, using chalk to draw the boundaries and creases. As the preparations continued, the players took turns to warm up their arms by throwing the ball to each other.

The tape ball is a tennis ball covered in electrical tape, which makes it easier to grip and swing — similar to a traditional cricket ball. It is a popular choice for informal games played on streets, in parks, and other open spaces.

Meanwhile, a small group of spectators had gathered on the sidelines, eager to watch the game unfold. They chatted amongst themselves, discussing the players’ skills, and making predictions on who would win.

The game was about to begin.

For many Saudis, Fridays are a time to unwind, catch up on sleep, and enjoy traditional meals with loved ones. However, for many expats living in Saudi Arabia, Fridays can look quite different. Those from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh often use their Fridays to pursue hobbies, which by in large seems to be cricket.

It is estimated that there are approximately 7.5 million expats from cricket-playing nations residing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. These expats use the beloved game as means to stay connected with their home countries and cultures.

Furthermore, cricket provides them with a sense of familiarity and comfort in a foreign land and allows them to bond with fellow expats over a shared passion for the sport.

Mohammed Hassan, a 27-year-old IT professional, captured his passion for the game by saying: “Playing cricket on Fridays is like a breath of fresh air for me. It’s a chance to forget about work and the stresses of daily life and to just enjoy the game with my friends. We play on empty plots of land or in parks, wherever we can find a space.”

Most players are forced to play on empty plots of land and makeshift fields, as there are few dedicated cricket facilities available in the country. This is particularly true in smaller towns and cities, where there may be little to no cricket infrastructure at all. However, despite all these challenges, expats have continued to play cricket in Saudi Arabia and have even formed their own community-led leagues and tournaments.

The transformation of the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation under the patronage of Prince Saud bin Mishal Al-Saud has had a significant impact on the development of the sport across the country.

The SACF has established goals of promoting and developing cricket throughout the country and has made significant progress. This was highlighted when the Saudi National Cricket team won the inaugural 2023 ACC Men’s Challenger Cup in Bangkok.

Winning this tournament has put Saudi Arabia on the map as a rising cricketing nation. This exposure could lead to greater interest and investment in the sport, which will have a positive impact on the local cricket community.

The SACF’s CEO Tariq Sagga was recently quoted by Arab News as saying that this year participation would exceed 50,000 in cricket-related activities in the Kingdom. These initiatives not only affect the cricket-loving expat community but also provides an alternative sport for the local Saudi population.

Sagga has said in the past that most Saudis have a perception of cricket as being a dangerous street sport that is unorganized and often played in risky places. “We need to change this perception first,” he said.

In recent years, cricket has become a lucrative sport due to the rise of franchise leagues. A prime example of this comes from the Indian Premier League which manages to raise billions of dollars in revenue each year. Having already invested heavily in other sports such as LIV Golf and football, Saudi Arabia has already made headlines around the world for a proposed cricket league, as part of the International Cricket Council.

“Given their advance into sport more generally, cricket would work quite well for Saudi Arabia,” ICC chairman Greg Barclay recently told Australian news outlet The Age.

“Our aim is to create a sustainable industry for locals and expats living in the Kingdom and make Saudi Arabia a global cricketing destination,” Prince Saud told Arab News recently.

By providing a legitimate structure and well-fitted cricket facilities, the SACF has been able to positively affect the game. By investing in local talent, building strong partnerships with the ICC, and promoting the sport as a means of social cohesion, the federation has helped to raise the profile of cricket in the country and created opportunities for players of all levels to compete and enhance their skills.

Cricket can be a powerful force for bringing people together, breaking down cultural barriers, and building bridges between different communities.

Whether it is through playing the sport itself or simply coming together to watch a match, cricket can help to promote a greater sense of unity, understanding, and shared purpose in Saudi Arabia.


Chennai win Indian Premier League in stunning finish against Gujarat

Chennai win Indian Premier League in stunning finish against Gujarat
Updated 30 May 2023

Chennai win Indian Premier League in stunning finish against Gujarat

Chennai win Indian Premier League in stunning finish against Gujarat
  • Victory gave Chennai a record-equaling fifth title, and gave retiring batter Ambati Rayudu a sixth IPL title
  • The league needed three days to play the final

AHMEDABAD, India: Chennai Super Kings won a sensational Indian Premier League final against the defending champions Gujarat Titans off the last ball on Tuesday.

Chennai were squeezed by medium-pacer Mohit Sharma in the last over to need 10 runs off the final two balls. Sharma got his length wrong and Ravindra Jadeja hit a straight six. Sharma then got his line wrong and Jadeja hit a four to fine leg to complete a stunning five-wicket win.

“I was just thinking I need to swing hard, as much as I can,” Jadeja said. “Where the ball will go, I was not thinking about that. I was backing myself and looking to hit straight, because I know Mohit can bowl those slower balls.”

Victory gave Chennai a record-equaling fifth title, and gave retiring batter Ambati Rayudu a sixth IPL title, tying him with Rohit Sharma as the league’s most successful players.

“It’s a fairytale finish,” Rayudu said. “I’m fortunate to have played in really great sides. I can smile for the rest of my life.”

The league needed three days to play the final. It was washed out on Sunday, started late Monday and finished after 1:30 a.m. local time on Tuesday. But it was worth it.

Gujarat was made to bat first and posted 214-4 — the highest ever total in a final — highlighted by 96 from Sai Sudharsan.

Rain halted Chennai’s chase in the first over for nearly 2 1/2 hours, and reduced the target to 171 in 15 overs. Chennai needed every single ball to make a thrilling 171-5.

A fantastic launch was shared by openers Devon Conway, 47 off 25 balls, and Ruturaj Gaikwad, 26 off 16. They raised a half-century stand within the four-over powerplay, including 17 runs in legspinner Rashid Khan’s first over.

Spinner Noor Ahmad removed both openers in the same over but Chennai kept coming hard. Ajinkya Rahane added 27 off 13, and Rayudu punished a loose Mohit Sharma with 6-4-6 before he was caught and bowled next ball.

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni also fell to Mohit Sharma, for a duck, leaving Shivam Dube, an unbeaten 32 off 21, with Jadeja.

Dhoni, Chennai’s only captain in its history, said after leading the team to a 10th final and fifth title that he will keep going.

“The easy thing for me to say is, ‘Thank you,’ and retire,” he said “But the hard thing to do is to work hard for nine months and try to play one more IPL season. … The amount of love I have received from CSK fans, it would be a gift for them to play one more season.”

Mohammed Shami bowled a brilliant penultimate over to give Mohit Sharma a cushion of defending 13 runs in the final over. Mohit Sharma, who ended up with 3-36, conceded just three runs off the first four deliveries until Jadeja’s last-gasp heroics.

Earlier, Chennai’s early lapses in the field gave Gujarat momentum. Deepak Chahar missed catching chances against Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha.

Gill, who top-scored in the tournament with 890 runs, made 39 off 20 before he stumped by Dhoni. Saha made 54.

Sudharsan sharing two half-century stands; 64 with Saha and 81 off 33 with captain Hardik Pandya.

Sudharsan smashed eight boundaries and six sixes and dominated the death overs. He was in sight of a deserving century in the final over until pacer Matheesha Pathirana pinned with a superb yorker.

“We tick a lot of boxes and we play with our heart,” Pandya said. “We’ve always been a team that has stood together and no one gave up. We win together and we lose together, maybe one of those games today.

“I’m very happy for him (Dhoni). Destiny had this written for him. If I had to lose, I don’t mind losing to him. Good things happen to good people.”


Why it’s not always the best wicketkeepers who get the nod

Why it’s not always the best wicketkeepers who get the nod
Updated 25 May 2023

Why it’s not always the best wicketkeepers who get the nod

Why it’s not always the best wicketkeepers who get the nod
  • Like goalkeepers, the only cricket fielders with gloves are a breed apart, often displaying idiosyncratic tendencies, but their batting numbers often make a difference

The most frequent method of dismissal in cricket is being caught out by fielders other than the wicketkeeper. Detailed analysis reveals that, between 1877 and 2012, the method accounted for around 40 percent in Test cricket.

This is confirmed by analysis of post-2012 data. When the 20 percent caught by wicketkeepers is added, the total percentage of dismissals achieved by catches rises to 60 percent.

Wicketkeepers also effect stumpings, some 2 percent of dismissals. Given the level of importance attached to this single position, it would be reasonable to assume that the selectors of a team would always choose their best wicketkeeper.

An early precedent was set for this concept. In the first ever Test, between Australia and England at Melbourne in 1877, Jack Blackham was selected for Australia ahead of Billy Murdoch because Blackham was considered to be a superior keeper. Murdoch’s first-class career had started in 1875, when he was regarded as the finest wicketkeeper in Australia. Consequent on the selector’s decision, Australia’s fast bowler, Frederick Spofforth, refused to play in the match. Both he and Murdoch were reinstated for the second Test, but Blackham kept.

Controversy over this type of decision has never gone away, but usually it is about not selecting the best keeper.

Last week, England’s Test team selectors were faced with a conundrum. The incumbent wicketkeeper is Ben Foakes, widely regarded by most observers as the finest in the country and, perhaps, more widely. He has been in and out of the England team between November 2018 and May 2023, playing in 20 out of 55 Tests. His Test batting average is a respectable 32.2, which includes match winning innings.

England’s new adventurous approach to Test cricket in summer 2022 was encapsulated by the batting of Jonny Bairstow, himself a more than competent wicketkeeper. A freak break of Bairstow’s leg in September 2022 kept him out of cricket, including the T20 World Cup and the IPL, until last month. During the winter, a new English batting star emerged in Harry Brook. The selectors had several choices. They could either drop Brook for Bairstow or drop an opener for Bairstow and move someone else up the order, or drop Foakes for Bairstow, who would then keep wicket. The latter was the decision taken for the first Test match of the summer against Ireland, starting on June 1.

It is one that has reopened old arguments and, for Foakes, perhaps old wounds, as this has happened to him twice before. He has played a big part in England’s recent run of 10 wins in their last 12 Tests and was almost the match winner in England’s one-run defeat in February at Wellington, New Zealand. Bairstow’s Test batting average is slightly higher than Foakes’ at 37, his best performances coming when batting between number five and seven in the order. It is the attacking manner of his batting which may well have swayed the decision, given that the main opponent this summer is Australia.

England have been in this position before on more than one occasion. Alan Knott was selected 95 times for England in Tests between 1967 and 1981, averaging 32.75. His Test career ended when he chose to join a rebel tour to South Africa in 1981-82. This allowed Bob Taylor, a long-term reserve, to take over. Some observers judged Taylor to be a superior keeper, but his batting was inferior to Knott’s, as a Test batting average of 16.28, mainly compiled after Knott’s retirement, would attest.

Wicketkeepers, like goalkeepers, are a breed apart, often displaying idiosyncratic tendencies. Knott, for example, always kept his shirt collar turned up as protection from the sun and his shirt sleeves buttoned down to provide extra protection when diving. One of the most eccentric wicketkeepers was England’s Jack Russell. Apart from an admission to drinking 20 cups of tea a day, having a diet of chocolate biscuits, chicken and bananas, plus an unusual stance for both batting and keeping, Russell was a landscape painter. He played 54 Tests for England between 1988 and 1998, sometimes receiving shabby treatment from team selectors.

High quality wicketkeepers are a joy to watch. When Rodney Marsh was first selected for Australia in 1970, he was dubbed “Iron Gloves” by those who preferred the man he displaced. Marsh went on to dispel this derogatory epithet, claiming a then world record 355 Test dismissals, 95 caught off the bowling of Dennis Lillie. At first sight, Marsh did not appear to be athletic, but was quick footed and agile.

An old adage has it that the true test of a wicketkeeper is the quality of his/her ability to stand up to the stumps to take the ball as opposed to standing back from the stumps. It would be unusual, but not unheard of, for keepers to stand up to fast bowlers. Edges fly so quickly off the bat that the best chance of catching them is by standing some distance back. Conversely, keepers do not stand back to slow or spin bowlers. Potential catches would drop short and opportunities to dismiss batters lured out of the crease would be passed up.

In wicketkeeping, everything leads from the head, whether diving or jumping up or down. Since a keeper is doing the same thing repeatedly, consistency of movement is vital, so that distance between feet does not vary. Needless to say, watching the ball all the time is imperative, as are quick reflexes.

Coaches will normally advise that the ball must be waited for, with the hands giving as the ball enters the gloves. However, the legendary M.S. Dhoni of India keeps his hands close to the stumps when standing up to save a split second on a stumping opportunity.

No discussion of wicketkeepers can pass without acknowledging Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka. Although his wicketkeeping may not have satisfied purists, his extraordinary batting average of 57.4 in 134 Tests, exemplifies the tendency towards selecting a wicketkeeper, who may not be the best available, but offers superior batting potential.


Brilliant Madhwal takes 5-5 as Mumbai knock Lucknow out of IPL

Brilliant Madhwal takes 5-5 as Mumbai knock Lucknow out of IPL
Updated 25 May 2023

Brilliant Madhwal takes 5-5 as Mumbai knock Lucknow out of IPL

Brilliant Madhwal takes 5-5 as Mumbai knock Lucknow out of IPL
  • Mumbai booked a meeting with holders and regular season table-toppers Gujarat Titans in the next playoff encounter on Friday in Ahmedabad
  • The winners on Friday will meet Chennai Super Kings in the final on Sunday

CHENNAI, India: Akash Madhwal took five wickets for as many runs to lead Mumbai Indians to a crushing 81-run win in the second IPL playoff game and knock Lucknow Super Giants out of the tournament on Wednesday.

Australia’s Cameron Green (41) and Suryakumar Yadav (33) put on 66 to help guide five-time champions Mumbai to 182-8 after they elected to bat first in the knockout contest in Chennai.

Madhwal then returned figures of 5-5 in 3.3 overs to dismiss Lucknow for 101 as Mumbai booked a meeting with holders and regular season table-toppers Gujarat Titans in the next playoff encounter on Friday in Ahmedabad.

The winners of that clash will meet Chennai Super Kings in the final on Sunday.

“It’s nice that it’s going well at the moment,” Green said.

“Our batting’s been really good. Madhwal has been the game changer for us; five today, and got four-for the other day.”

Green, who was the second-most expensive player bought in the auction at $2.11 million, added: “Gujarat are the best team. It’s going to be a tough challenge, especially on their home turf.”

Lucknow’s innings imploded as they collapsed from 69-2 to be bowled out in 16.3 overs, losing three key wickets to run outs.

Green, who hit his maiden T20 century in Mumbai’s previous win, looked in control during a 23-ball knock laced with six fours and one six until his departure.

Naveen-ul-Haq, who took four wickets for Lucknow, sent back Suryakumar and Green, bowled by a slower off-cutter from the Afghanistan pace bowler, in the space of three deliveries to push Mumbai onto the back foot.

Tilak Varma hit back with a quickfire 26 and a 43-run stand with Tim David, who was out caught for 13 after unsuccessfully reviewing a full toss for being over waist-height.

Naveen finished with 4-38 and Yash Thakur took three wickets but despite their efforts Mumbai’s impact sub Nehal Wadhera boosted the total with his 12-ball 23.

Lucknow lost their openers early including impact player Kyle Mayers for 18 before Australia’s Marcus Stoinis attempted to pull the chase together in his 27-ball 40.

But Madhwal struck with successive balls, including getting the dangerous Nicholas Pooran caught behind for a golden duck.

An engineer by profession, Madhwal learned the game while playing tennis-ball cricket in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand but is filling in for Mumbai’s injured pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.

“Bumrah bhai (brother) has his own place, and I’m just trying to play the role assigned to me,” said the 29-year-old Madhwal.

Stoinis, who crossed 400 runs this season to be his team’s standout performer, was run out after a mid-pitch collision with non-striker Deepak Hooda with both batsmen watching the ball.

The innings fell further apart with two more run outs sending back Krishnappa Gowtham and Hooda.

Lucknow, who made their IPL debut last season with Gujarat Titans as the league grew to 10 teams, fell at the same hurdle in the previous edition.

The neutral venue for both teams had many empty seats, in contrast to the nearly full stadium on Tuesday when home hero M.S. Dhoni’s Chennai made the final with a win over Gujarat.