Fast Bowler
We are having a world cup with sheer run fests and it’s not a matter to be proud of rather to be ashamed of not having sporting wickets. The Indian pitch curators are repeating the same mistakes over and over again and it’s high time they learn as we approach the crucial phase of the world cup.
“You don’t play for the crowd, you have to play for your country” these were some alarming words of caution from Dhoni after the loss to the Proteas and suits most in this context. Indian pitch curators have encompassed a self-belief in the minds of the Indian batsmen to go for boundaries with no doubt that it will be a flat pitch with no assist for the quickies. Intelligent batsman pace their innings well and the rest fall like a pack of domino. This was just the case in the dramatic collapse of the “so called best batting lineup in the world” falling from 267/1 to 296 bowled out. The curators must realize that 4’s and 6’s alone don’t make up an ODI innings and entertain the crowd but tends of swing, bounce and spin make up cricket along with timing of a batsman.
All the pitches so far have buried the fast bowlers down to the ground. They have been outplayed and have been left unnoticed. Jimmy Anderson, one of the best swing bowlers in the world failed to make an impression leaking runs and failed to strike with the new ball leaving his side with pressure strangling their necks. The Chinnaswamy stadium at the peak is proud of having more than 1200 runs scored in the first two matches. Hello, it’s time when you are at the receiving end like the Ashes heroes and see how it feels. Right now Nagpur should have learnt their lesson after India’s loss and many others and due for it. But if curators are up for such kinds of pitches then forget India’s hope of chasing or expect the opposition to damage our bowling attack in course of their chase and bring in someone like Nehra like in last match as a scope for target. The need for the hour is good sporting wickets which can produce runs and assist the bowlers in both pace and spin departments. A modest 250 – 275 total should be made to look like chasing down a 330 or 350.
The fast bowlers are having a tough time at the tournament even though some are able to manage. But all they have done is bowling Yorkers and raising the speed barrier and that does not sum up fast bowling. How many wickets do you see making a fool of a batsman or edging to slips or wickets from short stuff or a deadly in-swinger or an out-swinger knocking the bails off? 31 matches are up and it really is a long wait for the fast bowlers. Hope they swing in the magic on Indian pitches and change the trend.
Tags: Bowlers, Cricket, Cricket India, Fast Bowlers, ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, India, Indian Cricket, World Cup
