Biggest challenge in T20 is to out-think the batsmen says Trent Boult

Biggest challenge in T20 is to out-think the batsmen says Trent Boult: New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult, who currently representing Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL, said that the biggest challenge he was facing in Twenty20 cricket is to out-think the batsmen.

Boult was quoted by ESPNcricinfo saying, “The difference between Tests and the shorter format is that batsmen are coming at you a lot more and looking to attack against your deliveries. My thinking has to be much quicker and I have to plan to be ahead of the batsmen as much as I can. That can sometimes get very difficult but that’s probably the biggest challenge,”

The joint highest wicket-taker in the 2015 World Cup along with Starc and ranked sixth in both Tests and ODIs, Trent Boult was bought by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 3.8 crore in the IPL auction. The left-armer confidently said that he is not under much pressure coming into the IPL and he hopes to enjoy his time in India.

“I don’t think there is too much pressure. I enjoyed the World Cup immensely but I don’t think the pressure beats me and I’m not worried about the expectation and all that. If I can put that aside and just enjoy being here, that will bring out the best in me,” he said.

Asked how he would tackle the batsmen dominated T20 cricket in IPL, Boult said, “I try not to think about it too much. It’s part of the game. In T20 cricket you are going to get hit for boundaries and sixes.

“How quickly you can put it behind you, how quickly you can come back and hopefully take some wickets. I know it’s easier said than done but the best players in the world have their ways to get through that.”

Before the World Cup, the 25-year-old swing bowler had played only 16 ODIs, and coming into the IPL he has 40 T20 wickets under his belt. He also said his success in IPL will depend on how quickly he can adapt to the wickets.

Boult further added, “It was pretty helpful to be in our home conditions which us as a team, us as bowlers we were familiar with. We knew what lengths to bowl and what lines. The grounds we played at, the ball swung nicely, but I guess the challenge is to come to India – much different climate, much different environment and very different wickets,”

“The ball will swing here, just won’t be the same as back in New Zealand. So we have to quickly adapt to that and make sure my line and length is right and I’m hoping that I can be tricky for the batsmen.” He said.