Spinners usually get a little more purchase from UAE pitches. In the ongoing T20 World Cup too, they have had an effect with very few high-scoring games so far in the Super 12 stage of the competition.
Conditions in Dubai, though, have been a little bit different compared to that in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, as strokeplay has appeared easier there. Not to say that the spinners have had a tough time in Dubai, but the margin of error has been minimal for them while bowling in Dubai.
For instance, leg-spinner Adam Zampa played a key role in Australia’s win over Sri Lanka last Thursday, returning figures of 2/12. But in a matter of just two days, he was taken to the cleaners by England’s Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow. Both the matches were in Dubai.
In the same match on Saturday, Zampa’s England counterpart Adil Rashid had the Australians under all sorts of confusion with his googlies, conceding only 19 off his four overs and getting a wicket as well. Of course, Rashid bowled in the first half of the game.
It seems to get a tad more difficult for bowlers in the second session, especially if there’s dew.
So what are the adjustments that a spinner needs to make when bowling in such conditions? According to Rashid, England’s second-highest wicket-taker in T20Is with 70 scalps from 65 matches, sticking to one’s strengths is the best way to go.
“Wherever you play, whether it’s in UAE, Australia or England, conditions are always different. So in some conditions, you may have to bowl a bit quicker or a bit slower, depending on the day. But I think each spinner, wherever he bowls in the world, has his own strengths,” the 33-year-old said on Sunday.
“Some spinners like to bowl quick and some like to bowl slower. Ultimately, it’s about whether you stick to what you’ve been good at or successful at. And from thereon, you probably adjust a bit.
“You need to gauge, ‘Is it a bit quicker? Is it a bit slower today?’ And then you adjust accordingly. And that’s how I do it.
“Definitely, conditions may vary. But you need to stick to your strengths first and then you can just, as time goes on, you can figure out if the pitch is a bit quicker or slower and what’s required on that pitch,” Rashid explained.
Mindset crucial
He has got five wickets from three matches, but what stands out for Rashid is his economy rate, which is well under six (5.41).
It’s the mindset of looking to create chances while bowling during the Powerplay or in the middle overs that’s crucial, Rashid emphasised.
“My game plan is very similar, whether I’m bowling in the Powerplay or in the middle stage. Even if you are nailed for a few fours and sixes, you ought to have that mindset about creating chances, allowing your team to create some stuff and make things happen.
“Obviously, there are times when I might bowl different lines and lengths. But the mindset never really changes.”
Elaborating on how he prepares and gets himself ready, Rashid said: “It’s about trying to get better day by day in terms of leg-spin, the groove, slide and variation. Some days it comes out well, some days it doesn’t. That’s T20 cricket. That’s cricket itself.
“But it’s definitely about going into the nets, working hard and just trying to repeat, repeat, get better and improve day by day in that sense, in that way.”
