New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee has weighed in on the shifting landscape of Twenty20 cricket, noting the evolving nature of the game as reflected in the high-scoring matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
With records being shattered in this season of the IPL, Southee emphasized the need for bowlers to adapt to the changing demands of the format or risk falling behind.
“The game is constantly evolving, and we’re witnessing it firsthand in India,” Southee remarked in an interview with New Zealand media. “As a bowler, you have to stay ahead of the curve. If you don’t evolve, you’ll find yourself struggling.”
While acknowledging the excitement generated by high-scoring contests, Southee expressed a desire for a better balance between bat and ball, particularly with major tournaments like the T20 World Cup on the horizon.
Southee, a veteran of T20 cricket, was recently named in New Zealand’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, joining experienced campaigners like Trent Boult and Kane Williamson. The Kiwis are banking on their traditional strength in pace bowling for success in the tournament, with the inclusion of bowlers like Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, and Daryl Mitchell.
Meanwhile, Australia, too, has relied on its pace attack for the T20 World Cup, although captain Mitchell Marsh expressed some apprehension about the daunting challenges faced by bowlers in the IPL.
“Some of the IPL scores have been astonishing,” Marsh remarked, acknowledging the relentless onslaught by batsmen. “It’s a tough ask for bowlers in those conditions.”
Despite the challenges, Marsh remained optimistic about the game’s evolution, emphasizing the need for teams to adapt and innovate as they navigate the ever-changing dynamics of modern cricket.
