Bumrah impresses with legendary WC show

Franklyn DaCosta Stephenson is not a name you normally associate with the West Indies, but the 65-year-old was a pace-bowling all-rounder who never reached international level. Had he not been banned for taking part in a rebel tour of apartheid-era South Africa, he could have gone on to become one of the finest international all-rounders of the 1980s and 1990s. As the youngest player on the 1983-84 rebel tour of South Africa with the West Indies team, he was part of the group that “sowed the seed from which grew the beanstalk that was the dismantling of apartheid.” He also has an intriguing story to tell about Jasprit Bumrah.

“I got a call from my friend in Cape Town, Chris Craven, a day before the final, suggesting that I persuade the curators to organise a fast pitch at Kensington Oval. He wanted me to make sure that the pitch would not favour the Indian spinners. I told him that he was overlooking a bowler called Jasprit Bumrah.” The conversation was of course light-hearted, and Stephenson seriously remarked that ignoring Bumrah’s value would be a mistake.

In the 1988 English county season for Nottinghamshire, Stephenson scored 1,000 runs and took 100 wickets, finishing the final match with a century in each innings and claiming 11 wickets. Locals who saw Stephenson describe him as a fiery fast bowler. The Barbados player says Bumrah reminds him of his own bowling.

“He could bowl at any time and his impact was due to his unorthodox action. He was unplayable with both the new and old ball, with the ability to open the gap between bat and pad. Marco Jansen’s dismissal in the final over was an example. He could have gotten David Miller out a few balls earlier,” said Stephenson, who played for Orange Free State in South Africa.

Bumrah’s recent exploits, particularly in the World Cup here in the West Indies, have given rise to many stories that will be told for years to come. One story is about a fast bowler who claimed that Bumrah was drafted into the legendary West Indies team of the 1980s, although Sir Andy Roberts denied making such a claim.

Bumrah is currently dominating the conversation in the cricket world. His unorthodox deception-creating action, rooted in geometric principles, is being talked about in particular. His remarkable economy rate of 4.17 and an astonishing average of 8.28 for 15 wickets in eight matches have made him the centre of attention. He showed his deadly prowess in the World Cup, leaving spectators debating which of his performances stood out the most and which of his 15 wickets was the most crucial.

The South Africans, including David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen, were looking to get the better of Bumrah and instead tackle the other bowlers. Jansen adopted a similar strategy but was the victim of a late delivery that dislodged the leg stump bail. At 156 for five, this wicket was crucial but the value of Reeza Hendricks’ early dismissal in the first over cannot be underestimated. It prevented South Africa from making a strong start.

Bumrah conceded just eight runs in his last two overs, finishing with figures of two for 18 in four overs – an economy rate that was better than his own for the tournament. If anyone had to pick the player who had the biggest impact on India’s World Cup, it would undoubtedly be him. It’s no surprise that he was named Player of the World Cup.

“I don’t know how much I can say about Bumrah. Obviously, we’ve seen this with him for so long. Whenever he has the ball in his hands, he creates magic for us every time. I’m very happy to have such players in my team. Players who play for me and Team India. Really, really grateful, and thankful as well,” captain Rohit Sharma said of his ace bowler after the final. “He’s a class act.”

It is often said that it would be virtually impossible for someone with such a bowling action to bowl an outswinger from inside the perpendicular. Bumrah, however, defies physics and geometry, and not only masters the art of bowling outswingers but executes them with authority and imperiousness. He challenges the conventional norms of the game, as a batter who plays 360 degrees without restrictions, making him incredibly difficult to bowl against. He was at his most difficult to beat when South Africa needed 30 from 30 balls with six wickets in hand in the final.

“When it was a run-a-ball we thought what happens, so when I came I saw the ball was a bit damaged and it was going to turn a bit, so I thought what is the hardest shot for the batsman, how will he get beat or will I get a wicket and I thought the length ball was an option because the ball was taking a reverse swing, I was happy that I could keep my composure and I could execute,” Bumrah said of the final two overs that swung the match in India’s favour. From a run of 30 off 30 balls, they slumped to 16 off six balls, eventually losing by seven runs.

Be it the sharp bouncer, the slower bouncer, or a well-timed slower ball or a yorker – fast or slow – Bumrah can deliver them all with deceptive accuracy. There seems to be no type of delivery that he cannot master. Combined with his unorthodox action, he gives the batters minimal time to react – an incredibly lethal combination. But the best thing about him is still to stay rooted to the matter and not get overwhelmed by the situation, like the World Cup final.

“When it comes to the big day, you have to do it even more. You have to do what you’ve always done, not try to do it again because it’s the final. So I just felt really good and during the tournament I felt really clear and calm,” Bumrah said. Stephenson interpreted that as control. “It’s his control with the ball, with his effort and mind that makes him stand out,” said Stephenson, who is clearly impressed with Bumrah’s skills.