On the lack of fast bowlers in South African cricket
Proteas Test coach Shukri Conrad has expressed his concern about the lack of true fast bowlers in domestic cricket and the general level of cricket at this level. The whole country took note and reacted to the coach’s opinion on what was happening in domestic cricket.
For a system that has produced players such as Mahaya Ntini, Dale Steyn and Allan Donald, it is certainly surprising that the same system is not producing players of the same calibre.
Given how much the game has evolved at the cricket betting websites with international and franchise T20 cricket taking centre stage, it makes perfect sense that the game in the country is where it is – with a small number of fast bowlers, among other things.
Yes, pace is important in T20 cricket and cannot be replaced, but seamers don’t have to work at express speeds (145km/h) to be successful in this format. If he is able to reach a low to mid 130 km/h, he only needs to add a few skills to his repertoire to succeed in the shortest format.
So, from a tactical point of view, the nature of the short formats motivates sailors to go for the pace-off route.
It is also beneficial to succeed in the shorter formats as they are the ones that earn the most money and are less physically demanding as players have to play a maximum of four overs (T20s) and 10 overs (List A).
As a bowler, which of these two options makes more sense: 1, to bowl at an express pace or 2, to bowl at 130 km/h and get paid the same at the end of the day? Of course, most seafarers tend to choose the second option.
Another aspect of the lack of true fast bowlers in domestic cricket is whether Cricket South Africa (CSA) is serious enough about keeping the sport alive and thriving after players like Kagiso Rabada retire.
One could question the CSA’s commitment as they have changed some of their rules, rules that could certainly provide a decent amount of true pace bowlers in domestic cricket. That rule is the 2km run against the clock, which became mandatory a few seasons ago but was only changed this season.
Yes, this rule does not guarantee that players will be able to develop express pace, but it certainly motivates physical fitness, and more fit players will always be able to develop high speed.
