The Outsider Posted June 17, 2011 Posted June 17, 2011 Kapil's 9/83 bowling 30 overs on the trot is one of my finest cricketing memories, soon to be followed by Hadlee's 9 wicket haul at Brisbane where he took the catch for the other wicket to fall. Imran, Botham, Kapil picking up lots of wickets was a pretty common happening - well, not common like they would do it every other test, but once or twice a year or so some fast bowler would take a bucket load of wickets in an innings. Following are the number of times 7+ wickets were taken in an innings in the 80s (29 occasions): http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?bowling_pacespin=1;class=1;filter=advanced;orderby=wickets;spanmax1=31+Dec+1989;spanmin1=01+Jan+1980;spanval1=span;template=results;type=bowling;view=innings;wicketsmin1=7;wicketsval1=wickets 90s (32 occasions) : http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?bowling_pacespin=1;class=1;filter=advanced;orderby=wickets;spanmax1=31+Dec+1999;spanmin1=01+Jan+1990;spanval1=span;template=results;type=bowling;view=innings;wicketsmin1=7;wicketsval1=wickets 00s (21 occasions) : http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?bowling_pacespin=1;class=1;filter=advanced;orderby=wickets;spanmax1=31+Dec+2009;spanmin1=01+Jan+2000;spanval1=span;template=results;type=bowling;view=innings;wicketsmin1=7;wicketsval1=wickets Changing the criteria to 8+ wickets, 80s (13 times) : http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?bowling_pacespin=1;class=1;filter=advanced;orderby=wickets;spanmax1=31+Dec+1989;spanmin1=01+Jan+1980;spanval1=span;template=results;type=bowling;view=innings;wicketsmin1=8;wicketsval1=wickets 90s (9 times) : http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?bowling_pacespin=1;class=1;filter=advanced;orderby=wickets;spanmax1=31+Dec+1999;spanmin1=01+Jan+1990;spanval1=span;template=results;type=bowling;view=innings;wicketsmin1=8;wicketsval1=wickets 00s (2 times) : http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?bowling_pacespin=1;class=1;filter=advanced;orderby=wickets;spanmax1=31+Dec+2009;spanmin1=01+Jan+2000;spanval1=span;template=results;type=bowling;view=innings;wicketsmin1=8;wicketsval1=wickets Of course these have to be normalized with the total number of tests played in each decade. 7+ wickets/ test : 1. 1980s : 29/266 = 10.9% 2. 1990s : 32/347 = 9.2% 3. 2000s : 21/464 = 4.5% 8+ wickets/test : 1. 1980s : 13/282 = 4.6% 2. 1990s : 9/347 = 2.6% 3. 2000s : 2/464 = 0.4% So, why aren't fast bowlers picking up huge hauls of wickets anymore? Is it because they are not good enough? Is it because they are rested too often during the game even if they are in rhythm? Is it because of too much of interference from the physios and supporting staff?
EnterTheVoid Posted June 17, 2011 Posted June 17, 2011 Didn't Kapil bowl with Cortisone injections in his calf in that 83 Melbourne Test which India won?
Sachinism Posted June 17, 2011 Posted June 17, 2011 Teams don't want to over work bowlers, so give them breaks??
The Outsider Posted June 17, 2011 Author Posted June 17, 2011 Didn't Kapil bowl with Cortisone injections in his calf in that 83 Melbourne Test which India won? '81 test - yes. Got 5 for 20 odd IIRC, though Ghavri did a great job the previous evening when Kapil was not on the field by taking out the top order. Marshall too 7 for 50 odd against England with his left arm plastered. In that innings, he even batted with one hand and according to Lloyd was offended when Lloyd asked him if he would take further part in the match.
Cricket Tragic Posted June 17, 2011 Posted June 17, 2011 '81 test - yes. Got 5 for 20 odd IIRC' date=' though Ghavri did a great job the previous evening when Kapil was not on the field by taking out the top order. [b']Marshall too 7 for 50 odd against England with his left arm plastered. In that innings, he even batted with one hand and according to Lloyd was offended when Lloyd asked him if he would take further part in the match. And took a decent catch off his own bowling as well.
The Outsider Posted June 17, 2011 Author Posted June 17, 2011 Teams don't want to over work bowlers' date=' so give them breaks??[/quote'] Yeah, the title of my thread is a bit ToI like, but that brings us to a bigger question whether such extreme protection is really needed. I mean, guys like Kapil, Imran, Hadlee, Marshall had extremely successful test careers without this added protection. If the ball was doing a bit, it wasn't unusual for Kapil, Imran, and Hadlee to bowl 10-15 overs spells. Marshall and Lillee still had good back up, but in those days unless the back up was of a similar class he wasn't just brought into the attack for the sake of it.
Switchblade Posted June 17, 2011 Posted June 17, 2011 May be its also due to the flat pitches which are being produced most of the times
EnterTheVoid Posted June 17, 2011 Posted June 17, 2011 Shwetabh, a lot has to do with the pitches as well. Take Perth, which used to be a fast and pacy pitch. Now, it's national highway 101 where even 400 is not defendable.
Brainfade Posted June 17, 2011 Posted June 17, 2011 Great question Flat pitches is the easy answer. But, before we make any conclusions, we have to ask if there is an overall increase in the number of runs scored per test or runs per wicket. If not, the flat pitch hypothesis has to be discounted. I think it is a combination of 3 things: (1) The growth of LOIs/T20s. Having to bowl tight spells in LOIs, and then shifting on a dime into an attacking mode is not easy. (2) Wear and tear - there is, without a doubt, more cricket being played overall. A fast bowler cannot take the grind. (3) Pitches that are designed to help fast bowlers only for half a session on day one, and then maybe on day 5 - if they can get uneven bounce on deteriorating pitches. In addition, I wonder if there has been a change in the type of ball used in test cricket. In all our discussions about pace bowling/bowlers, this is one aspect that constantly gets overlooked. But, I suspect it contributes more to the shift in bowling skills than we think.
Ram Posted June 17, 2011 Posted June 17, 2011 What about giving credit to the batsmen? Is it so unreasonable to say the collective quality of batsmenship has gone up over the years? I mean, i look at the Indian team of today and the Indian team of the 90s and can immediately tell how our batting standards have improved significantly.
The Outsider Posted June 17, 2011 Author Posted June 17, 2011 What about giving credit to the batsmen? Is it so unreasonable to say the collective quality of batsmenship has gone up over the years? I mean, i look at the Indian team of today and the Indian team of the 90s and can immediately tell how our batting standards have improved significantly. And what happens when you look at the collective quality of the WI batting in the 80s?
Ram Posted June 17, 2011 Posted June 17, 2011 And what happens when you look at the collective quality of the WI batting in the 80s? Actually, I was going to say that. Plus, you can say the same for a team like Pakistan as well. :D
zen Posted June 17, 2011 Posted June 17, 2011 Sachin is the greatest brigade would be nervous :giggle:
Cricket Tragic Posted June 17, 2011 Posted June 17, 2011 How often do we see seamers today bowling long spells like in the past? England actually "manage workloads" of the bowlers in the nets and have someone calculating how many balls each bowler bowls in a session.
cowboysfan Posted June 17, 2011 Posted June 17, 2011 this phenomenon is not just unique to cricket.It seems to be a trend in other major sports like NFL,NBA and baseball to name a few.15 years ago pitchers used to routinely throw complete games in baseball(all 9 innings),now they have become a rarity(texas rangers have 4 complete games in 80 odd games this season.NBA stars used to play all 48 minutes in every game,now they rarely play even 40 minutes(even in playoffs) .
Brainfade Posted June 17, 2011 Posted June 17, 2011 this phenomenon is not just unique to cricket.It seems to be a trend in other major sports like NFL' date='NBA and baseball to name a few.15 years ago pitchers used to routinely throw complete games in baseball(all 9 innings),now they have become a rarity(texas rangers have 4 complete games in 80 odd games this season.NBA stars used to play all 48 minutes in every game,now they rarely play even 40 minutes(even in playoffs) .[/quote'] What's the explanation for it? Are they required to *do more things* when they are on the court/field that they wear out faster? Is it the ~ 100- 160 games per season?
The Outsider Posted June 17, 2011 Author Posted June 17, 2011 (1) The growth of LOIs/T20s. Having to bowl tight spells in LOIs, and then shifting on a dime into an attacking mode is not easy. Not sure how that explains the data, except if you are implying that bowlers are no longer used to bowling long spells because of the shorter format where they would typically get a 6/3 over spell at the most (2) Wear and tear - there is, without a doubt, more cricket being played overall. A fast bowler cannot take the grind. That's a contentious point - as far as the number of cricketing days a player plays and the number of balls he bowls at FC level or above I don't think there is a lot of difference. However, I do agree that constant travel and lack of acclimation can increase the fatigue and workload. So, even if Akram delivered 700 overs in a county season, he would feel the effects more if he had to deliver the same 700 overs with constant jet setting. (3) Pitches that are designed to help fast bowlers only for half a session on day one, and then maybe on day 5 - if they can get uneven bounce on deteriorating pitches. I agree with this point completely. In addition, I wonder if there has been a change in the type of ball used in test cricket. In all our discussions about pace bowling/bowlers, this is one aspect that constantly gets overlooked. But, I suspect it contributes more to the shift in bowling skills than we think. Standardization of the cricket ball to the Kookaburra has been one of the major banes of cricket. Hand crafted balls have a much more pronounced seam than those factory manufactured garbage, and frankly I am surprised that no one in the top echelon of cricket has taken this issue seriously.
Laaloo Posted June 17, 2011 Posted June 17, 2011 this phenomenon is not just unique to cricket.It seems to be a trend in other major sports like NFL' date='NBA and baseball to name a few.15 years ago pitchers used to routinely throw complete games in baseball(all 9 innings),now they have become a rarity(texas rangers have 4 complete games in 80 odd games this season.NBA stars used to play all 48 minutes in every game,now they rarely play even 40 minutes(even in playoffs) .[/quote'] Even in the NBA today, there are so many pussy fouls. Back in the days, the refs rarely used to call those that they do today.
cowboysfan Posted June 17, 2011 Posted June 17, 2011 What's the explanation for it? Are they required to *do more things* when they are on the court/field that they wear out faster? Is it the ~ 100- 160 games per season? i think its just coaches and owners being carefull with their players,baseball has had the 162 game season since the 60s.
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