IPL 2024: Two-bouncer rule allows fast-bowlers to set up the batters now, says Brett Lee

New Delhi, April 2 (IANS) Australia fast-bowling legend Brett Lee has given a stamp of approval for the two-bouncer rule in an over, introduced in the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), saying it allows the pacers to set up the batters well by tying them down and restricting their scoring flow.
The rule underwent a successful trial in the 2023/24 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy before being introduced in IPL 2024. “I think the two-bouncer rule is good, as essentially, what we have seen in the history of Indian Premier League tournaments is that it favours the batters – through small boundaries and the one-bouncer rule, either at shoulder or head height.”“Free hit and wide lines are scrutinised, so there are a lot of things that go against the bowlers. Now that we have the option to see two bouncers per over, it allows fast bowlers to set up the batters coz they now have two cracks at the bowling the short ball.”“Before this, if someone bowled one short ball for the over, he generally wouldn’t bowl a bouncer as there are five balls remaining in the over and know it cannot be short anymore. So now, they got the option to bowl a short ball on the first and potentially, in the last ball of the over, which is great,” said Lee, an IPL expert, in a select virtual media interaction organised by broadcasters JioCinema.In 14 matches of IPL 2024 so far, pacers have been dominant by picking 119 wickets, as compared to 39 scalps taken by the spinners. What’s been more interesting to see is slower deliveries making a bigger impact in the tournament so far.According to statistics provided by