Perth Test: No-ball drama leaves its mark on Ishant Sharma

Ishant Sharma’s overstepping past caught up with him yesterday.

India’s Ishant Sharma in action during the second Test in Perth yesterday. Picture: AP

Ishant Sharma’s overstepping past caught up with him yesterday.

After it was revealed Sharma had bowled at least 16 uncalled front-foot no-balls in the first Test in Adelaide, an analysis from the Seven Network stopped the official count at 22.

It’s understood the International Cricket Council are likely to mark the match officials from Adelaide harshly for having the blinkers on when Sharma was charging in, and in just the seventh over in Perth yesterday it was clear the blitz was on.

Umpire Kumar Dharmasena called Sharma for overstepping and the Indian veteran then seemed to lose his rhythm. His average pace dropped below 130km/h, more than 5km/h slower than his class spells in the first innings in Adelaide.

The big quick continued to keep things tight and bowled five maidens in his first 10 overs, but the spring Sharma had in his step in Adelaide where he took three key wickets had diminished through the first two sessions on a stifling day in Perth.

Seven expert and former Australia paceman Damien Fleming suggested the no-ball outrage had got into Sharma’s head.

“We saw in his first over he wasn’t pushing the line,” said Fleming.

“Maybe he’s running in looking at the line and not focusing on where he wants the ball to go.

“The radar isn’t working for Ishant today, he has been all over the place. He has been too wide.

“He is really conscious of bowling no-balls.”

Meanwhile, Fox Cricket commentator Mark Waugh described Sharma’s opening efforts in Perth as “awkward”.

“He’s lost his rhythm to a certain degree,” Waugh said.

“He looks awkward. He looks uncomfortable. He’s not getting it right. He’s worrying about the front foot. He’s worrying about his follow through.”

Australia captain Tim Paine admitted that he addressed Sharma’s no-ball blue murder in Adelaide with umpires in the middle of the first Test. The ICC generally gives umpires the benefit of the doubt with no-balls, given their research has told them they are a rarity.

“I spoke to them on one of the days, just really quickly,” said Paine in his pre-match press conference. “Because I was watching the telecast in the changerooms, just to get an idea of whether they were communicating to the umpires in the middle. Which they said they were.

“As long as we’re aware of it and looking at solutions that can help that process, then I’m all for it. But I hope in this Test match it’s done a little better.”