Marco Jansen Anticipates Bowling Advantage in WTC Final Against Australia
Jansen's Confidence Ahead of the WTC Final
New Delhi [India] - South African fast bowler Marco Jansen believes that the bowling-friendly conditions at Lord's will be beneficial for him during the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia.
He expressed his enthusiasm about learning from former England pacer Stuart Broad, who has joined the South African team as a consultant for the crucial match.
During his first Test tour of the UK in 2022, Jansen took nine wickets at an impressive average of 13.11, significantly contributing to South Africa's innings victory over England, where he claimed four wickets in just 11.4 overs.
Standing over two meters tall, the left-arm bowler showcased remarkable swing with the Duke's ball, positioning himself as a key threat to Australia as they defend their title starting June 11.
Reflecting on his previous performance, Jansen feels confident about the upcoming final, acknowledging areas for improvement.
"From a bowling perspective, I noticed the ball swung more than I anticipated. Adapting to the Duke's ball and understanding its various angles is crucial. I also batted well, and while there were positives from the 2022 match, I believe there are many aspects where I can enhance my game," Jansen stated, as reported by the ICC official website.
For the final, the Proteas have an added advantage with Stuart Broad's expertise. Broad, who has taken 153 of his 604 Test wickets against Australia, also has an impressive record of 113 wickets at Lord's.
Jansen is keen to absorb Broad's insights to help the team secure victory. "He has extensive experience against Australia at Lord's. I want to learn from his strategies on how he dismissed certain batters. Sometimes, you can get a wicket with a delivery you never intended to bowl, so having that knowledge is invaluable," he remarked.
However, he acknowledged that once on the field, players must adapt and execute their plans effectively. "On the day of the match, it’s about figuring out how to dismiss a specific batter and ensuring you don’t get out while batting. I believe the Australians will have a similar mindset," he added.
Jansen also performed well in the recent series against Australia during the 2022/2023 summer, despite South Africa's 2-0 defeat. He recognized that his team was not at their peak against such formidable opponents, but the neutral venue and the stakes of the WTC final will create a different dynamic.
"Australia has strong bowlers and batters, so we expect a challenging match. The conditions will differ significantly, and our approach will likely change. However, our analysis of how to dismiss their batters will remain consistent," Jansen explained.
"Ultimately, it’s about what you can do on the day to get a particular batter out and how to stay in when batting. I think they will be thinking along the same lines," he concluded.