Ishant says he will depend more on bouncers

Johannesburg:

India's pace spearhead Ishant Sharma on Saturday said he will rely more on bouncers in the upcoming Champions Trophy as it could prove to be an effective weapon in the seaming tracks here.

The lanky Delhi speedster also made it clear that he had no plans to drop a yard in speed to regain his form during the tournament beginning September 22.

"This issue of drop in pace depends on conditions. In Australia you could be quick in air while in sub-continental conditions it's different. I am essentially a fast bowler and I don't ever want to be a medium-fast bowler," Ishant said.

"All through these years I didn't think bowling bouncers was necessary to me. But now I am realising with my pace it can make a difference. I am now practicing bowling bouncers," he said.

Ishant had a not-so impressive outing in the recently-concluded tri-nation Compaq Cup in Sri Lanka which India won and the 21-year-old bowler blamed the scheduling of the event for his poor performance, saying it was tough on a pacer's part to play three games in a span of four days in hot and humid conditions.

"I was off my line in the final but then you have to consider the conditions," he said.

Ishant also agreed with his skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's observation that his style of bowling is not suited for the new ball.

"I don't bowl up to the batsmen which is essential when you are operating with the new ball. I don't swing the ball as much as I look to hit the deck and bowl back of length stuff. So I would say that I am better off as one-change," he said.