Mohammad Amir "as exciting as they come": Jason Gillespie

Australian fast bowling legend Jason Gillespie seems to be highly excited about the return of Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir who will be playing on the Australian soil for the first time since getting banned for the 2010 spot-fixing ban. Gillespie, the head coach of Yorkshire, wrote about him in his latest piece for the Cricket.com.au. Analysing his bowling capabilities, he says that his away – swingers can create problems for the Australian top order, which has more than a couple of left-handers

“I’m especially looking forward to seeing left-arm quick Mohammad Amir under lights at the Gabba. He is as exciting as they come – he bowls with good pace, up above 140kph and swings the ball around corners – what’s not to like?”

“It’s still early days back into his career but what a skilful bowler this young man is. He bowls a slightly fuller length than most international bowlers because he looks to swing the ball. He could be a real handful for the Aussie top-order, as he predominantly brings the ball back into the right-handers and shapes it away from the lefties.”

Another riveting fact is related to the welcome he might get after coming out at the Gabba in Brisbane. Since making his international return in June against England at Lord’s, Amir has got mixed response in the places where he has played. The Barmy Army and the England crowd chose to be warm but the New Zealanders weren’t that courteous and showed dollar bills when he came out to bowl in of the ODIs. Gillespie feels that Amir can handle the sledge if it doesn’t go overboard.

“You do wonder how the Australian crowds are going to react to him considering this is the first time he’s playing a Test in Australia since returning from his spot-fixing ban. Is he going to be the pantomime villain of the summer?”

“A few pockets of the crowd got stuck into him in their Test series in England but that looked like water off a duck’s back to him. He handled it well and he was probably expecting it. As long as the banter of the crowd doesn’t go overboard or stays light-hearted, he’ll be fine. He’s shown that he has a thick skin. At the end of the day, he did the wrong thing and he’s paid the price.”