Allan Donald holds busy schedule responsible for bowlers’ injuries
Allan Donald has criticised the busy schedule of modern cricket and held it responsible for dismal condition of fast bowlers in contemporary era. He singled out hectic schedules and batting-friendly pitches as the main factors responsible for the decline of fast bowlers.
Allan Donald has censured the amount of cricket that is being played. According to the former South African fast bowler, modern cricket is solely based on one consideration-commercial aspect whereas the fitness and physical requirements of bowlers are not taken into account. He said, “It's the survival of the fittest, really. I don't think we played as much cricket as the modern-day cricketer plays. The schedules are ridiculous and the bowlers are subjected to a lot of hard and flat pitches. We'll see bowlers diminishing as the years go on.”
Donald also criticised dead pitches as they are responsible for lack of competitiveness. One recent example is that of the SSC Test where both India and Sri Lanka scored 600+ in their first innings. In the end it was a boring draw. Donald believes that such tracks inhibit competition and are detrimental for cricket. He also said that bowlers like Mohammad Aamer, James Anderson and Dale Steyn are best equipped to bowl on such placid tracks as they have the ability to extract swing irrespective of conditions. He said, “Your skill level has to get to be of such a standard in the modern-day game that you've got to move the ball through the air. You've got to have the capability of moving the ball through the air with the new and the old ball on certain surfaces.”
Donald, who is currently associated with England’s team, believes that the duo of Waqar Younis and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Morne-Morkel-c77722 just a year or so from now…the best combination in the world for me is Steyn and Morkel.”
On the other hand, Donald believes that Australian bowling attack is most versatile and can even bowl effectively on dead pitches of Sri Lanka and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 as well. Getting everything in the air, trying to beat batsmen in pace and not using the surface at all by bowling the ball full - that's where Australia are good.”
England has also recently emerged as a potent bowling force especially on their home soil. James Anderson had shown quite some creativity with the ball in terms of swing in the recent series against Pakistan. Similarly, Steve Finn is also a bright prospect for future. Swann, under the coaching of former http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 later this year where Andrew Strauss will clearly depend on them for the defence of the title. Australian conditions are quite different than England and may affect England bowlers especially James Anderson who could only swing in overcast conditions.
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