Marco Jansen Credits Josh Hazlewood As Inspiration For His Evolution As A Bowler

Marco Jansen's evolution as a cricketer is one of the standout stories over the last year and a half. Besides his impactful cameos with the bat down the order, he has consistently shouldered the responsibility with the ball for South Africa. In the IPL, he has come into his own as a bankable player for Punjab Kings. It has been a remarkable rise for someone who only took up cricket as a career at the age of 17 after giving up on pursuing rugby.

At the age of 25, Jansen found his calling by bowling the hard length across formats. He has managed to be unfazed by the chaotic world of T20 cricket, which demands a range of variations from bowlers. Importantly, Australia's metronomic Josh Hazlewood has been the inspiration behind his transformation as a cricketer.

“It doesn't surprise me because Josh Hazlewood does the exact same thing,” Jansen said, responding to a query from TOI on the consistent 'Test-match' lengths he bowls irrespective of formats. “People ask the same question (about him). How does he just hit a length and pick up wickets? He doesn't go for a lot of runs and he's consistent as well,” Jansen said. “Josh also has variations. I also have one or two variations. We're both tall bowlers but we bowl different lengths,” Jansen said.

“When I was younger, the problem was I was trying to bowl similar lengths to the other guys. I didn't realise that what I bring to the table is completely different. I've to find my own way to be effective. The last year or so, I've felt comfortable in my own skin,” he added.

However, his role has changed at Punjab Kings. He can't use swing as a weapon because he doesn't get to bowl with the new ball, so Jansen has had to work on bowling with the older ball. The hard work paid off in the Test series in India last winter, when he troubled the Indian batters throughout. Even in the IPL, his approach has been to look for wickets.

“I'm used to taking the first or second over but I also know I have the skills to adapt,” Jansen said. “Coming in to bowl the third, fourth or sometimes fifth over is definitely a different approach.