'Free hit for no ball in Test cricket' - Dale Steyn puts forward a new suggestion to help tailenders

Former South African pacer Dale Steyn has always had a great eye for Test cricket and his pumping celebrations still live in the memories of the fans. Having retired from international cricket, Steyn is one of the keen followers of the game, and he wanted the bail the tailenders out of the no-ball conundrum. He suggested that the tailenders should be rewarded with a free hit for every no-ball they bowl in Test cricket.

The ongoing Test series between India and South Africa has seen plenty of no-balls bowled from both sides and even the experts wondered if the no balls are bowled intentionally to get a shot at the tailender with more than 6 balls in an over. It has to be noted that the batter can be dismissed only by a runout or stumping during a free hit being bowled and the privilege has been followed in limited-overs cricket for a long time.

6 balls are hard enough for the tailenders facing a top-class pacer: Dale Steyn

Steyn put his suggestion on Twitter feeling sad for the tailenders who had to face more than 6 deliveries in an over from the world-class quicks. The 38-year-old had brought in the point after Jasprit Bumrah bowled a no-ball and followed it with a bumper to Duanne Olivier who was batting at number 10. The Indian pacer wrapped up the tail and finished with a five-wicket haul.

“Free hit for No Ball in Test Cricket What you think? Will definitely help the bowlers (when batting) survive those extended 7/8 and sometimes 9 ball overs we’ve seen happen before. 6 balls are Hard enough for the tail-enders facing a top-class life-threatening fast bowler,” Steyn tweeted.

“Anyway, makes for an interesting discussion. Serious Test Match happening here, well bowled Bumrah for the 5,” Steyn added.

Meanwhile, India will have their task cut out on the third day as they have 8 wickets in hand in their second innings with a lead of just 70 yet. The experienced campaigners Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli are batting in the crease while the openers fell early.