In the Sheffield Shield final between Victoria and Western Australia, Australian cricketer Nic Maddinson, who is better recognised for his hitting ability, replicated Jasprit Bumrah's motion as a left-arm seamer. Bumrah is currently one of the top pacers in the world, but his early actions were a talking point. Despite this, he has made the most of his unusual bowling movement, making his thunderbolts difficult to bat against. Across all formats, he has developed into India's pace spearhead.
Bumrah is a priceless asset for the Indian team because he can swing the ball both ways as well as unleash the toe-crushing yorkers at any point during the game. With his slower ones, he has a wide range of talents and is known as a death-over expert due to the way he outsmarts hitters. Bumrah's youth coach deserves credit for encouraging him from the outset, and his time with Mumbai Indians teammate Lasith Malinga also helped.
Returning to Maddinson, he was seen as a sluggish left-arm orthodox spinner at times, but towards the end of the game, he tried out medium pace. He had a similar pre-race routine to Bumrah. The wicketkeeper and slip fielders appeared to be smiling as a result of his move. Watching Maddinson bowl like a left-arm Bumrah had the on-air pundits in splits.
Meanwhile, at the W.A.C.A Cricket Ground in Perth, the last game between Victoria and Western Australia finished in a tie, with Western Australia winning by 480 runs. Maddinson only played one inning for Victoria, where he batted at six and hit five fours in a 12-ball 20. WA's Aaron Hardie stayed unbeaten on 174, while Sam Whiteman and Cameron Bancroft were the game's other centurions.
