'I found that very odd' - Shane Warne makes a very 'interesting' observation on T Natarajan's no-balls

T. Natarajan is actually living out a fairytale dream. The Tamil Nadu pacer became the first Indian cricketer to make his debut in all three formats of the game on the very same tour. While the left-arm seamer impressed in his maiden T20I series against Australia, where he picked up 6 wickets in three games at an economy rate of 6.92 and a strike rate of just 12.00, he also got a chance to represent India in the all-important fourth Test at Brisbane.

Natarajan also picked up three wickets in the first innings of the fourth Test, including the important ones of Marnus Labuschagne and Matthew Wade to push Australia on the backfoot. But then, if there has been one problem as far as Natarajan is concerned, it is the frequency with which he has been bowling no balls.

It has caught the attention of bowling great Shane Warne, and the legendary spinner pointed out the same to Fox Cricket. Warne said that Natarajan bowling 7 no-balls in the Test match is something that cannot be missed. Warne also termed the no-balls as ‘big’ and said that he found it ‘odd’ as well. Australia’s highest wicket-taker in Tests further added that Natarajan bowling 5 no-balls off the first delivery of an over is indeed ‘interesting’.

“Just something interesting that’s caught my eye when Natarajan was bowling, he’s bowled seven no-balls in this match and they’ve all been big ones. And five of them have been off the first ball — and they’re miles over. I found that very odd. We’ve all bowled no-balls, but five of them off the first ball of an over, it’s just interesting,” said Warne in a chat with Fox Cricket.

Is the leg-spin great hinting at something indirectly? Is there something fishy in Warne’s comments that we have to read between the lines?

Australia set India a daunting target of 328 for victory

As far as the match is concerned, India have been set an extremely tricky target of 328 for victory in the fourth Test. Just 1.5 overs were bowled in the Indian second innings before rain played spoilsport, as India ended the fourth Day with the scorecard reading 4/0. For Australia, Steve Smith was the catalyst with the willow, as he scored a half-century in the second innings. He was ably supported by veteran left-hander David Warner, who scored 48.

Also, there is a high possibility that a good amount of the fifth day might be washed out due to rain, and as things stand the likely outcome is a draw if the rain plays spoilsport tomorrow.