sambrialian,
I haven’t played as a bowler in the longest time so all I can offer is a very general perspective, and not something that’ll subscribe directly to specifics of a fast bowler. As much as it is coining the cliche, persistence is, and will always remain the key.
I’ve seen similar scenarios quite often, at competitive games or sometimes even family picnics at the park. Fast bowlers becoming over-apprehensive about returning to bowl- either because of anxiety about not being able to perform or play at the level they used to in their more active days, or because of the presence of the younger jawaans bowling a yard or two faster than their deliveries. Or other reasons.
It’s only natural, and the most unfortunate thing to note is that they will tend to stiffen up (literally), as in cramp their movement esp. when arriving at the landing crease. That results in either ridiculous wides because their action was not smooth enough, rather a forced bowl; or such a decrease in pace that what was intended as a good line ball ends up becoming one just begging to be spanked. As someone keeping to them, this becomes problematic when they send it too down the legside or they over-emphasize the line-length factor so much that the ball doesn’t even carry through evenly. So I’ll make it a point to provide them with extra encouragement, even if the ball was far from the cheetah it’s being described as.
The fast bowler’s game is more mental than physical, and he will go only as far as his confidence level will allow him to. Somtimes this approach works, sometimes it fails miserably and even praise on a good ball will seem superficial to them. What plesantly surprises me is that they bowl superbly in the nets, so it’s not that they’ve lost their game. You sound like you were an active player when you had more time, and I’m sure you haven’t lost any of your game either. Decrease of pace over time is only natural, but it’s worthwhile to focus on bringing a mixed strategy bag to the field instead of just attempting to waqar-ing the 3 sticks with every ball. You can always try specific strengthening exercises for pace etc, but in the meanwhile, it’s good to try incorporating newer elements to your game. Having any non-positive apprehenive thoughts at the back of one’s mind are probably more damaging than the actual physical aspects that seem to be the cause of worry. sherrybaba is right, there’s no need to worry about conceding the extras or getting the stick sometimes. Just keep it going. One thing I will say from a bowler’s perspective though, is never ever compromise your run-up. One has to arrive spot-on and in fluid rythm at the crease, no matter how fast or slow the ball’s going to delivered as. Completely overhauling your action is one thing, but making minor changes here and there is non-advisable. It isn’t a good idea to experiment with your run-up and action when finding a remedy.
personally, I’ve come back from two or three very serious injuries (am nursing one right now) and have faced a lot of what-if’s and apprehension when re-taking the field. “What if I’m not able to perform as I used to?”, “What if some new face puts up a brilliant game and I’m dumped” etc. It’s very much a mental rehabilitation. But I know ppl like all of us at the Khail Khilari forum love the game enough to actually enjoy fighting it out and eventually come out tops, as part of the beauty of the sport.
To quote a former-captain, now-county-player, “Just bowl, mate!”.
Best of luck. :k:
I rarely smoke – It’s the weather here in the U.K that keeps getting in my practice session – And when the weather is fine and perfect – I always got something important to do – Though I don’t find this kind of trouble in the States.