Published: Dec 19, 2014, 10:44 AM (IST)
Edited: Dec 19, 2014, 10:44 AM (IST)
Dec 19, 2014
Ian Healy was a prominent feature of the Australian Team in the 1980s-90s. The Queesnlander, with 366 catches and 29 stumpings, is reputed for more than just his impeccable wicket-keeping, his batting. He amassed 4356 runs in 119 Tests, including four hundreds.
Healy, now 50, is dealing with an injured foot, however continues to remain a prominent media personality, reported The Hindu. He took the opportunity to acknowledge Brad Haddin‘s six dismissals against India, an Australian record Brad Haddin equalled with Wally Grout, Rodney Marsh and Healy himself.
“Brad’s an excellent ’keeper. I think he held them well. When you keep in Brisbane or Perth, the chances of you combining with the bowler for wickets increase,” he said. Healy went on to praise Virat Kohli’s effort with the bat, comparing him with Sachin Tendulkar.
He said, “I have watched Sachin (Tendulkar) bat and I must say he (Kohli) seems to have the ability to bat like him. He’s got a very good range of shots, both, against pacemen and spinners and can take the game away quickly.”
Murali Vijay’s solid performance at the top was also appreciated, “He’s (Murali Vijay) been very good. He’s so balanced and he has really played well off his back foot. He gets really back and makes good use of the crease. In Australia, Vijay’s shot-selection has been excellent, he is clear about what he wants to play and has not been caught in two minds. He’s let the ball go outside off so well. I think he has handled pressure brilliantly.”
Healy then went on to speak of how it may prove costly for teams to not pick a specialist reserve wicket-keeper, when touring. He said, “It can be a dangerous situation for the team if the team’s lone ’keeper gets injured during work-out on the morning of the match”
He emphasized on the role of the keeper in the T20 format saying, “When there are just 20 overs, the extra batsman is wasted. But the opportunity for a dismissal, a quick stumping or a catch standing up, can change the course of the match. A good keeper gives the bowlers confidence. If he leaks runs and makes mistakes, it won’t help the side’s morale.”
Sarfraz Ahmed from Pakistan, makes it to, Healy’s favourite wicketkeeper. “I saw him in the matches in UAE and he impressed me with his balance, glovework and anticipation,” he said.
Wriddhiman Saha also impressed the Australian legend, “I think he is outstanding with very confident glovework. He covers a large area against the pacemen, particularly on the leg-side. He’s agile and very good keeping to the spinners.” He also added, that M.S. Dhoni was vital to the Indian side, “He doesn’t make many mistakes. Gets the job done.”
Healy then recalled his time as wicketkeeper and heaped praise on two great bowlers he kept wickets to, “(Glenn) McGrath wasn’t fast. He did not move the ball very much either. Yet he got so many wickets because he knew exactly what to bowl to which batsman. He would unerringly pitch the ball at the spot he wanted to. Like McGrath, he (Shane Warne) read each batsman well and bowled accordingly. Everyone knew what he would bowl but Warne kept beating them with spin, subtle variations and accuracy.”
