Justin Langer lauds Jasprit Bumrah’s seam position, compares him with Pakistan great Wasim Akram

Former Australian opener Justin Langer has showered praise on India’s gun fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah for his perfect seam position. The former left-hander likened Bumrah to former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram, who was known to swing the ball both ways.

Bumrah has been at his sensational best in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Test series against Australia. The ace pacer bagged nine wickets in the third Test match at the Gabba, Brisbane, returning with figures of 6-76 and 3-18 in the two innings.

The Indian pack leader has scalped 21 wickets in the first three Test matches of the series at an average of 10.90 against Australia. Bumrah has also bowled with an impressive strike rate of 25.14.

“I would hate to face him. He is like Wasim Akram. For me, he is a right-hand version of Wasim Akram, and every time I am asked the question ‘who is the best bowler you have ever faced’. He has got the ability to swing the ball both ways, his seam is literally picture perfect,” Langer wrote in his column for the Nightly.

Langer added he would hate to face Bumrah with the red-ball.

“If you present a perfect seam and it comes perfectly out of the fingers like it does with him, you get the double whammy, swing in the right conditions and if it hits the rope it can go either way. That’s what Akram used to do and we was a nightmare to face. I would hate to face Bumrah,” he added.

On the other hand, the former Australian coach added that Australia will not make any substantial changes to their Test squad. Josh Hazlewood, who is injured, is likely to be replaced by Scott Boland.

“I can’t see them making any changes now at 1-1 in the series. There will be some discussions about a few players, but my gut feeling is they will keep it the same.”

The fourth Test match between India and Australia will be played at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground from 26th December.