Marut Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 I think its an accusation from a bygone era that Indian cricketers are not fit enough. They may not be muscular and built like their western counterparts- and that probably is genetics- however for the most part they are as lean and agile as players from any other nation. Even the pacemen' date=' the fact that they seemingly struggle with long spells in tests is mroe down to mental stamina rather than physical[/quote'] Fitness is more important than strength in cricket. Being big and burly can actually be a handicap in cricket. Have you ever seen big and muscular marathon runners? To play a game of cricket all day long, you need to have stamina and endurance - not massive strength. Lighter and fitter athletic bodies can cope with the rigours of cricket much better than body builders of cricket. Imagine two cricketers - one who can run 5 miles, do 50 pushups and 15 pullups - and another cricketer who cannot do this, but can deadlift 200 kg. The first cricketer is obviously more suited for cricket compared to the powerhouse guy. Link to comment
MCGGG Posted January 30, 2015 Author Share Posted January 30, 2015 Fitness is more important than strength in cricket. Being big and burly can actually be a handicap in cricket. Have you ever seen big and muscular marathon runners? To play a game of cricket all day long, you need to have stamina and endurance - not massive strength. Lighter and fitter athletic bodies can cope with the rigours of cricket much better than body builders of cricket. Imagine two cricketers - one who can run 5 miles, do 50 pushups and 15 pullups - and another cricketer who cannot do this, but can deadlift 200 kg. The first cricketer is obviously more suited for cricket compared to the powerhouse guy. The Great Australian sides of yesteryear all hit the gym fairly hard, None of the batsmen were skinny, and they ruled the world in both formats for over a decade. I don't think Indian players hit the gym at all, atleast I don't think its a requirement for them to do so, Australian players spend a lot of time in the gym, stronger is always better. Link to comment
rkt.india Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 Fitness is more important than strength in cricket. Being big and burly can actually be a handicap in cricket. Have you ever seen big and muscular marathon runners? To play a game of cricket all day long, you need to have stamina and endurance - not massive strength. Lighter and fitter athletic bodies can cope with the rigours of cricket much better than body builders of cricket. Imagine two cricketers - one who can run 5 miles, do 50 pushups and 15 pullups - and another cricketer who cannot do this, but can deadlift 200 kg. The first cricketer is obviously more suited for cricket compared to the powerhouse guy. You dont deadlift 200 kg without doing pushups and pullups or running. they are all a part of a workout regimen. Link to comment
Desi Cartman Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 Warne, Hughes, boon .... Link to comment
MCGGG Posted January 30, 2015 Author Share Posted January 30, 2015 Warne' date=' Hughes, boon ....[/quote'] Boon worked his right forearm more than most. Link to comment
CSK Fan Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 ITT, people confusing strong wrists (which is what is needed for most of those flick shots, etc) with strong forearms. Athletes having strong wrists will do well in most sports including cricket, baseball, tennis, table tennis, badminton. Link to comment
CSK Fan Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 Fitness is more important than strength in cricket. Being big and burly can actually be a handicap in cricket. Have you ever seen big and muscular marathon runners? To play a game of cricket all day long, you need to have stamina and endurance - not massive strength. Lighter and fitter athletic bodies can cope with the rigours of cricket much better than body builders of cricket. Imagine two cricketers - one who can run 5 miles, do 50 pushups and 15 pullups - and another cricketer who cannot do this, but can deadlift 200 kg. The first cricketer is obviously more suited for cricket compared to the powerhouse guy. For cricketers, shoulders and triceps are very important. Working on biceps and chest would be detrimental for flexibility. Particularly for bowlers. Link to comment
MCGGG Posted January 30, 2015 Author Share Posted January 30, 2015 ITT' date=' people confusing strong wrists (which is what is needed for most of those flick shots, etc) with strong forearms. Athletes having strong wrists will do well in most sports including cricket, baseball, tennis, table tennis, badminton.[/quote'] Working the forearms also works the wrists, you cant have strong forearms with weak wrists. Link to comment
CSK Fan Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 Working the forearms also works the wrists' date=' you cant have strong forearms with weak wrists.[/quote'] True. However, the defining factor in most world class athletes have been magic wrists and not forearms. Many Indian players like Azhar, Laxman had great wrists thought not so noticeable forearms. And even strong wrists need not be very big looking. It is more about how flexible they are. Sports is not like WWE. Show is not as important as motor skills Link to comment
MCGGG Posted January 30, 2015 Author Share Posted January 30, 2015 True. However' date=' the defining factor in most world class athletes have been magic wrists and not forearms. Many Indian players like Azhar, Laxman had great wrists thought not so noticeable forearms. And even strong wrists need not be very big looking. It is more about how flexible they are. Sports is not like WWE. Show is not as important as motor skills[/quote'] No doubt the great sub continent players have strong wrists, but, that doesn't mean they couldn't be stronger with time in the gym. Gym work also releases favourable natural chemicals into the blood stream which cardio alone doesn't. Link to comment
MCGGG Posted January 30, 2015 Author Share Posted January 30, 2015 Hitting a cricket ball requires every muscle in your body, the stronger those muscles the better. Link to comment
rkt.india Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 For cricketers' date=' shoulders and triceps are very important. Working on biceps and chest would be detrimental for flexibility. Particularly for bowlers.[/quote'] also chest and strong leg muscles for pacers. Link to comment
NareshK Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 Batting is not slogging. We have over a thousand sloggers who have big forearms (whom you are drooling over) in IPL who can whack the cricket ball all day. It doesnt mean they are good batsmen. The conditions in Australia are something that Indian batsmen are not used to, so they wont be as effective as they are in conditions familiar to them. Link to comment
rkt.india Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 Batting is not slogging. We have over a thousand sloggers who have big forearms (whom you are drooling over) in IPL who can whack the cricket ball all day. It doesnt mean they are good batsmen. The conditions in Australia are something that Indian batsmen are not used to, so they wont be as effective as they are in conditions familiar to them. a combination of strong plus good is what people are talking about. Look at Rahane and Chepu, they seriously need to get stronger. Link to comment
CSK Fan Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 also chest and strong leg muscles for pacers. How much chest is used in bowling? I don't know Link to comment
MCGGG Posted January 30, 2015 Author Share Posted January 30, 2015 How much chest is used in bowling? I don't know Try bowling with a torn pec and you'll find out, in fact try bowling fast with a torn anything and you'll realise every muscle is used when bowling, just like batting. Link to comment
rkt.india Posted January 30, 2015 Share Posted January 30, 2015 How much chest is used in bowling? I don't know Chest muscles are very important in load up. Lot of pace comes from chest and hips. A bowler should always look like he is hitting someone in front of him with his chest. Link to comment
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