David Willey won’t be able to join LSG during the initial stage of IPL 2024.
New Delhi: Lucknow Super Giants is a little concerned about the lack of experience in the fast-bowling department after Mark Wood ruled himself out of the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League due to personal reasons and David Willey won’t be available in the initial stage either as he was part of the PSL and ILT20
Moreover, Shivam Mavi, the injury-prone pacer hasn’t played competitive cricket since August 2023 due to a rib injury while Delhi fast-bowler Mayank Yadav has struggled with a side strain. Left-arm fast-bowler Mohsin Khan has endured injury issues while Yash Thakur, though he picks wickets, isn’t very good in stemming the run-flow. The only experienced overseas pacer LSG has is in Afghanistan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq.
“It is a very good observation that we lack some experience in pace department, including with Mark Wood pulling out of the tournament and also David Willey won’t be coming now either. That means we lack in the experience, but what I have seen in last few days is there is enormous talent.”
“The pacers had some injuries over time, but they all look fit, healthy and very hungry. We just need to manage them well not just at start but work through the whole tournament. Naveen (ul Haq) has played a lot of T20 cricket, Mohsin (Khan) has played a lot of cricket, so its all looking pretty good.”
“Mark Wood is a world-class bowler, isn’t he? And he pulled out after the auction, which is disappointing but this is the world we live in. We also have Shamar Joseph, we have Mayank (Yadav) who bowls with very good pace. Hopefully, we can replace, not (Wood’s) experience, but his pace with Shamar Joseph and Mayank. Of course, he’ll be missed, he’s a world-class bowler, but this is the world we live in and we will adapt and we will be okay,” elaborated Langer.
Though West Indies Test sensation Shamar Joseph is present as Wood’s replacement, he isn’t much experienced in T20 cricket. But Langer, in his first year as LSG’s head coach after Andy Flower spent two years in the franchise, thinks Joseph has it in him to succeed in IPL 2024.
“I was commentating for the two Tests (of West Indies against Australia) and I saw him with his incredible spirit and talent pick seven wickets in 37 degrees, 80 per cent humidity, and a half-broken toe to bowl 14 overs straight.”
“Yes, he doesn’t have much experience, but he didn’t have that much experience when he came to play Tests in Australia and took Steve Smith’s wicket on his first ball of the format. He’s got the smile, spirit, athleticism and skill, he has got all those ingredients that you need to succeed.”
Another issue for LSG is the make-up of their top-order, considering Rahul is the only right-handed batter who’s played in that area apart from a left-handed trio of Quinton de Kock, Kyle Mayers, and Devdutt Padikkal, who’s traded in from Rajasthan Royals.
“I have been sleeping very well at night for the past two years after I left coaching Australia. Now I will have sleepless nights because it is so hard to fit in all the talent in just 11 positions. It’s a good and sweet problem to have; but we will work it out. It’s nice to have so much talent in our squad,” concluded Langer.