Saker’s role important in England bowlers dominating Oz batsmen at MCG

MELBOURNE - England’s bowling coach and former Victorian pacer, David Saker, has played an important role in restricting Australia on 98 runs, which tallied the lowest total against England at the MCG.

“I think there was a fair bit of it [David Saker's influence] there,” said former Australian bowler Damien Fleming.

“We know in Victoria they have had such a disciplined bowling line-up for years now and they know that patience and a lot of pressure from both ends is important and it is interesting they brought [Tim] Bresnan in because he is very similar to a Saker type and Damien Wright, those types of bowlers,” he said.

“Stephen Finn had 14 wickets, he was the leading wicket-taker, but they thought ‘no he is leaking runs and the youngster needs a rest’ and Bresnan, out of all the Australian bowling conditions, looks like he is most suited to bowl [at the MCG],” The Age quoted Fleming, as saying.

Bresnan was the most economical of England’s three pacers, going for less than two runs an over in his 2-25, while James Anderson and Chris Tremlett bowled beautifully to take four wickets apiece.

England bowled a disciplined line on off stump and kept the ball full enough to demand the Australian batsmen were forced to play off the front foot.

Fleming also complimented England on its field placement. “It was interesting as well England had a catching cover and a catching mid-wicket. Even though every batsman was caught behind the wicket and even though they were all over Australia, a lot of teams would say we are going to put in a fourth slip,” he said. (ANI)