It can be hard for spinners in Twenty20 cricket but Samuel Badree has made a name for himself in this format.
The leg-spinner has 102 wickets in 102 Twenty20 matches at a laudable economy rate of 5.08. Compare this with the 33-year-old Trinidad and Tobago bowler’s first class record — 14 scalps in 12 matches — and you get an idea about his area of expertise.
Badree is a Twenty20 specialist, someone who bowls wicket to wicket and brings in subtle variations. Accuracy is his forte.
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The leggie is confident about Chennai Super King’s prospects in the upcoming Champions League. He is also realistic about his chances of figuring in the CSK line-up.
“The side has two quality spinners in Ashwin and Jadeja. But competition is always good. You never know when you will get an opportunity. But you should be ready,” he said addressing presspersons at MAC ‘B’, here, on Saturday.
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Asked about the secret of his success, Badree’s answer was simple — “Practice.”
He added, “Given the size of the bat and the short boundaries, it can be hard but you got to find a way. The spinners are now at the top in this format. Look at Sunil Narine.”
Badree said he had learnt much from watching his West Indian compatriot Narine during practice and in matches. “The way he goes about his game, you can pick up a lot of things.”
He said more spinners were emerging from the West Indies these days since the pitches there had become more conducive to spin.
“The wickets in India were a “bit slower and lower” than those in the Caribbean, he said.
Badree said the key was to adapt to different situations. “In Power Plays, you cannot loop it up and be slow. You bowl a little quicker.”