Former South Africa batsman Daryll Cullinan heaped praise on India fast bowler Mohammed Shami, who ran through the Proteas batting lineup with a five-wicket haul on Day 3 of the first Test at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on Tuesday.
Shami bagged his sixth five-for in Tests and completed 200 wickets in the format after finishing with figures of 5 for 44 from his 16 overs as India bowled out South Africa for 197 to take a 130-run first innings lead.
Cullinan, who played 70 Tests and 138 ODIs for South Africa, compared Shami’s bowling skills with that of former Proteas captain Shaun Pollock and England veteran James Anderson after watching his performance on the third day of the Boxing Day Test.
“Just watch his seam position. It is perfectly up there. Watching him bowl reminded me on Pollock and Anderson that don’t seem to waste the ball. He was on strike constantly with subtle variations and seam positions. It’s not as if the batters are anticipating his line and length,” Cullinan said on ESPNCricinfo.
Shami became the third-fastest Indian to complete 200 wickets in Tests and the fifth from his country to enter the double-hundred club after Kapil Dev (434), Zaheer Khan (311), Ishant Sharma (311) and Javagal Srinath (236).
“It’s just that control which may vary a foot wider and foot fuller. That’s what to me makes him so good. He finds that in between length which is the big key He is constantly asking you questions. There is a thought process behind everything he does,” added the former South Africa batter,” Cullinan added.
Shami’s performance helped India consolidate on their position in the match as they reached 16 for 1 at the end of play on Day 2 to take a 146-run lead over the hosts.
