Another australian smith

Star Sports Cricket Live: Former Australian cricketer Mathew Hayden has offered his insights on how teams can effectively combat the remarkable pace of young Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) fast-bowler Mayank Yadav. He suggests that batters facing such pace should focus on allowing the ball to approach them, rather than trying to forcefully play shots off either the front or back foot.

Mayank showcased his pace and talent to help LSG beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by 28 runs. After breaching the 150kmph mark nine times on Saturday as he bowled a delivery at 155.8 kph, the then-fastest delivery in the ongoing season. The right-handed pacer raised the bar once again when he cranked up the speed gun once again, bowling the fastest delivery of IPL 2024 measured at 156.7 kmph, against Cameron Green in Tuesday's clash against RCB at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Speaking on Star Sports Cricket Live show, Hayden said, "One of the things that happens in this competition is that all eye balls, all those great players watching him, they are working out strategies of how they are going to play him. If you bang it on length and the pace is fast, it's tough to hit. And the way you've to play someone of that pace is that you need to allow the ball to come to you. Not try to force it off the front foot or back foot. Just absorb the pressure and the ball will do the rest because the pace of the delivery."