Usman Khawaja says facing Jasprit Bumrah gets better once you get used to his unique bowling action | Cricket News

Australia opener Usman Khwaja says facing Jasprit Bumrah gets easier once you get used to his unique bowling action. In seven Test innings, Khwaja has faced 155 deliveries from Bumrah and has scored 43 runs without getting out.
“I mean, when you first face him, it’s just his action. It’s a different, bizarre kind of action as his release point is very different than other bowlers,” Khawaja told Fox Cricket.
“It’s just a bit further up. So a lot of guys release the ball from near the popping crease. Against Bumrah it feels like he gets a bit further out just with his front braced leg and pushes the ball out.
“So it feels like it comes out and then gets there a lot quicker than you expect it. It’s just once you get used to the action, it’s fine.
“I played against him a lot. Not to say that he can’t give me out first ball.
Khawaja, who too made a transition from a middle-order batsman to an opener, believes McSweeney can not only score runs but also bat time. (Reuters)
“I mean anyone can. But it’s one of those things where once the first time you face him, it’s very awkward and then when you get a little bit of rhythm it gets better. But he’s still a class bowler.”
In the five-match Test series, starting from November 22, Khwaja will walk out with a new opening partner Nathan McSweeney. The senior pro feels, Indian bowling attack is not all about Bumrah.
“Everyone talks about Jasprit, but they actually have a lot of other good bowlers,” Khawaja said.
India’s bowler Mohammed Siraj appeals for the wicket of Bangladesh’s batter Litton Das during the fourth day of the 2nd Test cricket match between India and Bangladesh, at the Green Park stadium, Kanpur, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. (PTI Photo)
“I think Mohammed Siraj is a very good bowler. He’s a very good bowler to both right-handers and left-handers. When Mohammed Shami was fit, when he was playing those series, he was a very good bowler. He was very underrated. No one really talked about him. And then they got good spinners lining up, too, which really complements their fast bowlers.
“So for me it’s never … I’m just not thinking about Jasprit Bumrah. You want to ask me where do you think… I’m not thinking about where he is getting me out. I’m thinking about where am I scoring runs against him. And I’m sure all good batsmen would tell you exactly the same thing because if he misses, well, then I’m coming and then if he bowls good stuff, then I’ll respect that. So that’s just Test cricket.”