The state of fast bowling: 'Excessive cricket is hurting fast bowlers'

dhobi_bhai · December 28, 2007, 4:53pm

In another well-written yearly column harboring the thoughts and protection of fast bowlers around the world, CricInfo panel recently held a discussion initiating the major decline in supreme fast bowling and the reasons that signifies this cause. The general theme of the topic is centered around excessive cricket. Sanjay Manjrekar hinted at the different cycles cricket have sunk into, one being the peak of 80’s and 90’s and another one that we are now passing through. “[With] the amount of cricket that is being played, I doubt you’ll ever see a revival in fast bowling” - Michael Holding.

Asish Ray of Daily Telegraph, currently covering the back-end discussion part between Australia and India on Sky Sports, muttered the following during the first day’s lunch session hour where Australia posted 111/0. “India should have gotten more practice matches. Playing Australia in Australia, holding one was not enough. More practice was needed”. For sub-continent teams struggling in pitches ‘abroad’ and pressing for more practice matches before the start of series, is it a plausible circumstance to be taken into consideration by ICC?

The final element of this discussion is the focus on quality fast bowling and the reasons it is declining. Thoughts/opinions/concerns/questions?

Some1 · December 28, 2007, 6:58pm

Re: The state of fast bowling: 'Excessive cricket is hurting fast bowlers'

The time has come for all countries to have a pool of 20-25 players (consisting of batsmen, bowlers and wicket-keepers) and rotate players from this pool continually.

Given that teams, these days, are playing cricket pretty much 10-12 months a year, I cannot see how fast bowlers can maintain top-notch fitness levels for that long.

The problem is - playing professional Cricket is a short-term career option (and even in that span of time somebody is always breathing down your neck for your place in the side), so given this insecurity....most players today have no choice but to accept playing non-stop Cricket.