Bowlers will be hesitant to bowl bouncers: Ian Chappell

Ian Chappell feels that the upcoming Australia-India Tests will not see the usual intensity

Former Australian captain Ian Chappell has said that the Australian bowlers will be a bit hesitant to bowl the short ball against the Indian batsmen, following the happenings at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) last Tuesday.

Australian batsman Phillip Hughes was hit on the back of the head by a Sean Abbott bouncer, which ultimately led to his death on Thursday. Chappell had earlier said that bowlers would be careful of the height at which they bowl the ball, at least for a few games initially.

"It's only natural for a bowler to be hesitant when unleashing a short-pitched delivery with the ghastly reminder of the consequences of bad luck still fresh in the memory. This hesitancy will affect the Australian fast bowlers more than the Indian attack," the 71-year-old wrote in his column for ESPN Cricinfo.

"The bouncer was expected to be a prime weapon of an Australian attack better equipped to dish out intimidating deliveries. With no bowler wanting to hit a batsman in these circumstances, this will have a greater effect on the Australian attack," he added.

The Brisbane Test, scheduled to get underway on December 4, has now been postponed and it looks more than likely that the Test series will commence in Adelaide from December 8/9.

Intensity will not be the same: Chappell

Chappell added that the intensity of play will not remain the same, but also said that the bowlers will continue bowling bouncers.

"The cricket at the Gabba won't be played with the usual intensity but it will probably be the best therapy for all the players. The bouncers won't stop. They will still be unleashed to put some doubt in the batsman's mind. However, I doubt they will be delivered with the same venom in the immediate aftermath of the SCG calamity," he said.