Wasim Akram says modern bowling science is putting a Mitchell Starc-successor at risk
As Mitchell Starc made history during the second Ashes Test in Brisbane, Wasim Akram worried for the future of the craft, saying current science may hurt the next generation of bowlers.
AS Mitchell Starc continues his domination of the Ashes, the legend whose path he followed revealed his concerns about how young fast bowlers are managed.
Pakistan great Wasim Akram, the most prolific left-armed pace wicket-taker in Tests until Starc eclipsed him in the second Test at the Gabba, is unsure who, if anyone, will beat Starc’s wicket-tally which advanced to 418 after the England first innings.
With a legion of Australian bowlers including Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Lance Morris, Spencer Johnson, Callum Vidler and Sean Abbott all hampered by injury, the debate is raging over whether modern fast men - particularly youngsters - are over-managed with bowling restrictions.
Akram has firm views that, while scientific research cannot be dismissed, bowlers need to bowl.
“I am all for science in sport but some things never change and one of them is that fast bowling muscles can only be strengthened by bowling,’’ Akram told this masthead from Karachi.
“You can just bowl 18 deliveries in one-day and stop as happens with some restrictions. I used to take three overs just to warm up in the nets and then I used to start to bowl. And we used to play county cricket in England for six months.
“Me, Waqar Younis, Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh and Allan Donald all played county cricket. We bowled and bowled and bowled and were better for it.
“Maybe science is getting it wrong. I am not so sure about the stats and the numbers.
“Fast bowling muscles can only get strengthened by bowling. You can go to the gym and you can run but when you bowl fast every muscle in your body gets used.
“That improves your strength and your pace and in my opinion you have less chance of being injured.’’
The “bowlers need to bowl’’ theory stretches all the way to England’s malfunctioning Ashes campaign.
Much had been made of Mark Wood’s sizzling pace yet he had not played a game of cricket since February 26 before he appeared in the first Test and it surprised no-one when he was injured and out of the Brisbane Test.
Jofra Archer has had his moments but the fact that he had played just two Tests in four years made it highly improbable he was going to have the durability for the Ashes.
The thing about Akram, Donald and Walsh was they had an incredible zest for playing. Walsh loved keeping his engine ticking over.
Many modern professionals seem to prefer the golf course. That’s great for your peace of mind. It doesn’t help your bowling average.
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Originally published as Wasim Akram says modern bowling science is putting a Mitchell Starc-successor at risk
Stunning act turns Test match on its head
