Andy Roberts Quashes MS Dhoni's Theory, Says Pace Above Line and Length

File photo of Umesh Yadav.© AFP

Sir Andy Roberts has just one advice for India's pace spearhead Umesh Yadav - "Bowl fast." (Yadav is India's First Genuine Pacer: Andy Roberts)

Speaking exclusively to NDTV, the West Indian fast bowling legend elaborates, "Look at Australia, Mitchell Johnson was nowhere in the last five years, but he went back, worked hard, strengthened his body and used his pace. Johnson wasn't about line and length, he was all about pace and that's what got Australia back to the forefront. Pace!"

Roberts' comments come a few days after India skipper MS Dhoni openly criticised his fast bowlers for erring in line and length while concentrating only on pace. The match, after which Dhoni made his comments, had seen Umesh Yadav leak 33 runs in four overs against Bangladesh.

"I don't like this idea of you telling your fast bowlers you must bowl line and length, you don't sacrifice pace for length and control, all one needs to do is work hard in the nets to better his control", says Roberts, taking a contrary view on the matter.

Indian selectors though seem to be in sync with MS Dhoni; as was evident when Umesh Yadav was admonished to the India A squad after the Bangladesh series.

Asked about Umesh's demotion, the man known for his deadpan expressions as a player broke into a smile, "Well that's selectors for you."

A self-confessed Umesh Yadav fan the Antiguan went on to add, "He (Yadav) has the pace and not too many fast bowlers have pace. You don't just make fast bowlers. You have to be born with it."

Andy Roberts would know; former Pakistan captain Imran Khan once described a ball bowled to him by Roberts as the fastest and most terrifying he had ever faced.