| Series | Countries | Live Scores | Fixtures | Results | News |
Features
|
Photos | Blogs | Statistics | Archive | Video & Audio | Games | Mobile | |||||||||||||||||||||
Ian Chappell
Feeds
| Archives
Feeds
| Archives
Former Australia captain, now a cricket commentator and columnist
|
Don't let your babies be fast bowlers
Lee has quit Tests at 33, while Tendulkar, nearing 37, has a renewed urge to dominate bowlers. What message does this send to youngsters taking up the game?
February 28, 2010
|
|||
|
Related Links
Harsha Bhogle : Tendulkar's glory untouched by fame
Tributes : 'Finish it, finish it' News : I'd like to bat another full 50 overs - Tendulkar News : Lee an 'all-time express great' Peter English : Speed kills the fast bowler Players/Officials:
Brett Lee
| Sachin Tendulkar
|
|||
If the well-known songwriting duo Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings were cricket fans, they would have added a phrase to the line from their popular hit: "Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys… or fast bowlers."
On the same day that Brett Lee announced the termination of his Test appearances in an attempt to prolong his cricket career, a sprightly Sachin Tendulkar was adding to his glittering reputation by amassing a spectacular double-century, the first in one-day internationals.
Lee, a genuine fast bowler, is 33. Tendulkar, a top-order batsman, is closing in on 37. Life expectancy may have dramatically improved since the 1960s but the medical advances don't apply to fast bowlers. In his illustrious Test career Dennis Lillee bowled nearly 2000 more deliveries than Lee.
Tendulkar was in attendance when Lee commenced his 300-wicket Test career with a memorable bag of five at the MCG. The difference being, at that stage Tendulkar had already been around for 10 years and scored a career worth of centuries (he compiled his 22nd in that Test). Another decade on, and the batsman is still operating like a long-life battery while the fast bowler is rapidly approaching his use-by-date. The assumption could easily be made that mamas should let their babies grow up to be batsmen.
Throughout his career Lee has displayed ample determination to recover from debilitating injuries. He always put in the hard work in the gym and on the running track to ensure each comeback was successful, but in the end a serious elbow injury was one operation too many. It's amazing that with so many setbacks he played his cricket with a ready smile and never a snarl.
And despite all the pain and endless rehabilitation work, Lee still saw fit to hand out some important advice while announcing his Test career was over. At a time when fast bowlers such as Shane Bond and Shaun Tait are showing a distinct preference for the shortest (and most lucrative) version of the game, Lee has advocated that budding speedsters challenge themselves by playing Tests.
Test cricket needs genuine pace bowlers to fully live up to its reputation of being the only thorough examination of a player. However, a youngster would be unwise to head down that career path if he doesn't possess a big heart, a capacity for hard work and a tolerance for pain.
That's not to say batsmen don't also require a big heart and a strong work ethic. No one has spent more time on his batting than Tendulkar who still hits numerous practice shots in preparation for special performances like the one in Gwalior.
When he was about the age Lee is now, it appeared Tendulkar's spectacular career was winding down. A series of injuries had robbed him of much of the sparkle that made his batting stand out above all but Brian Lara's. However, by gaining a second wind, Tendulkar has shown he has ample determination, a strong mind and a great desire to compete.
| The urge to dominate, which defined his little-maestro period, was replaced by a more tenacious Tendulkar in his thirties, but thankfully the urge to dictate to bowlers has resurfaced of late | |||
It's not just the number of runs he's scored in this prolific period (although four Test centuries in six innings is pretty impressive); rather it's the manner of his run-gathering. In his scintillating 175 against Australia and the double-century that demolished South Africa, it was his dominance that stood out. Both innings rattled along at much better than a run-a-ball,s and when he is regularly punching drives off the back foot you know Tendulkar is master of all he surveys.
The urge to dominate, which defined his little-maestro period, was replaced by a more tenacious Tendulkar in his thirties, but thankfully the urge to dictate to bowlers has resurfaced of late. Maybe with Virender Sehwag demolishing attacks he didn't feel the need to dominate. Whatever had been dragging on his batting reins was suddenly released for those two ODI innings and the little maestro made a couple of welcome reappearances.
For a while it appeared certain Ricky Ponting would surpass Tendulkar's Test aggregate and maybe even his tally of centuries. Now that a revitalised Tendulkar has shown a renewed thirst for runs and dominance, that's far from a guarantee.
However, if the cricketing mamas of this world ignore Lee's message and influence their young to eschew fast bowling, there's no guessing what massive run-making records a future batting maestro might accumulate.
Former Australia captain Ian Chappell is now a cricket commentator and columnist
Feeds: Ian Chappell
© ESPN EMEA Ltd.
| Comments have now been closed for this article |
||||||
TopE-mail
Feedback
Print
Ian Chappell
Widely regarded as the best Australian captain of the last 50 years, Ian
Chappell moulded a team in his image: tough, positive, and fearless. Even
though Chappell sometimes risked defeat playing for a win, Australia did not lose a Test series under him between 1971 and 1975. He was an aggressive batsman himself, always ready to hook a bouncer and unafraid to use his feet against the spinners. In 1977 he played a lead role in the defection of a number of Australian players to Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket, which did not endear him to the administrators, who he regarded with contempt in any case. After retirement, he made an easy switch to television, where he has come to be known as a trenchant and fiercely independent voice.
Which teams are the worst travellers?
Numbers Game: A look at how Australia, South Africa and England have fared in Asia, and vice versa
Cricket's not all greek to the Greeks
In Corfu and Athens it's catching on. Locals get countrymen from all over to visit and play. By Firdose Moonda
Afghanistan's remarkable rise achieves new heights
Afghanistan cricket will reach a new high when they take on an ICC Full Member for the first time. By George Dobell
'You need to change the way the batsman plays'
Tony Greig, Mark Waugh and Brian Close on the art of fielding close in. Interviews by Dan Brettig and Nagraj Gollapudi
Pak Spin: a masterclass from Pakistan's unassuming warrior
Dhoni and Sehwag share a moment
ESPNcricinfo presents the Plays of the Day from the second Twenty20 international between Australia and India, in Melbourne
Swann v Ajmal: clash of the offspinners
They're the two best spinners in Test cricket over the last 30 months, and while their overall stats are similar, the break-ups are quite different
Plays of the Day from the second ODI of the CB series, between India and Sri Lanka at the WACA
India were on tonight. It was like it was all coming back to someone who had lost his memory in the first half of a Bollywood film. Simple things but somehow forgotten
Unravelling the mystery of Ajmal
The ICC have explained the science behind the offspinner's action after a TV interview caused confusion
Pakistan rewarded for smart rebuilding (137)
After the events of 2010 Pakistan cricket could have withered away, but due to a combination of determination and desire they are now flourishing
The last we've seen of India's old middle order (123)
Dravid and Laxman will know their time is up. And Tendulkar will go sooner than later too
Unravelling the mystery of Ajmal (113)
The ICC have explained the science behind the offspinner's action after a TV interview caused confusion
Pakistan show England how it's done in Asia (107)
Unlike England, Pakistan used their bats instead of their pads. Unlike England, they retained their composure during the inevitable scoreless periods and, unlike England, they played straight until they were well set
India beaten in battle of strategies (101)
The plan to go in with a spin-strong attack is fraught with risk in Australian conditions, as India were made to realise at the MCG
Sponsored Links
Access your Indian Rupee earnings from anywhere in the world.
ICICI Bank Money2India brings " locked exchange rate" and a free gift
on registering and transfer of USD 250 and above.
FREE copy of Playfair with Wisden pre-order
At Cricshop.com
@SatyajiyM: you spot on mate: Zim is very decent team in 1990 - 2002, they had very player and good field side along with SAF. Flower brothers, Campbell, Whitall, Whishart, Heath streak, Paul Strang, Eddo Brandes. that team is lot better than current Wi & BAN team. They given good fight to all teams in that decade. If BAN turned super power after 20 years in cricket.. then those generation will hail sachin & co to played with BAN and had very good average... It all depends on current crop of playes, unfortunately ZIM had lot of internal problems after 2003 worldcup.
Posted by SatyajitM on (March 03 2010, 19:53 PM GMT)The time (1992 to 2002, 9 tests) Sachin played with Zim, they were a pretty decent team. I would say better than the current WI (full strength). Flower bothers, Heath Streak, Campbell, Taibu... Streak was a decent all rounder. It was a proper test playing nation. Not only Ban but they had beaten both Ind and Pak. Due to some bad politics the team disintegrated in last five/six years. There is no reason why somebody can subtract that record arbitrarily. Yes, Ban has been a relatively easy team but nobody stopped other players/teams to play against them and improve their records. I remember one comment from Ponting before a series half a decade back that Aus isn't going to play easy with Ban rather play the way they do against any other top team and I appreciated the professionalism.
Posted by Netaji_121 on (March 03 2010, 14:10 PM GMT)"@Alex10....10 years down the line people will remember only "Viv, Pollock, Sachin & Lara " out of this list as given by chappel....all other names will be just ordinary by that time....." & isn't it true....coz these all people have single handedly won so many matches for their country & that's too without any support from the other end....a sign of a legend cricketer...."
Posted by Sitting-on-a-gate on (March 03 2010, 13:51 PM GMT)@Bone84: And just for the record, Sachin (& Laxman, & Dravid, & Sehwg amoung others ) has an average of 58+ against Australia in Australia. Next will you be saying that these too need to be removed?!
Posted by Sitting-on-a-gate on (March 03 2010, 13:45 PM GMT)@bone84: Why dont you take away the averages of Ponting & Warne against India in India too? You can really inflate their figures to huge levels then. (Btw - Ricky ponting has scored 438 runs in 21 innings at 20.85 and Warne has an average of more than 43 against India in India. Does that make them poor players??)
Posted by Netaji_121 on (March 03 2010, 13:05 PM GMT)"I think Ian chappel is himself confused...Even though he knows Sachin Tendulkar is all time Great batsman, he is afraid to accept the truth...so every time he compares tendulkar with ponting. Ponting is a good batsman but NOT AT ALL better than Sachin...& I think Chappel is a li'l frustated coz Sachin has achived every milestone that Ponting can only think of.....& in all the batting records book Australia will always come no. 2 or no.3 ...Bcoz Sachin has a lot of cricket left in him & by the time he'll hang his bat....He'll leave a record book dedicated to his name for Ponting & Chappel to read in their free time.....:-)"
Posted by Alex10 on (March 03 2010, 11:28 AM GMT)Shrini: I think Vinod Kambli was mediocre when either the track was bouncy or the bowling was quality seam. In the 1992 WC in Aus, he had trouble middling the ball vs even medium pacers ... it was hitting close to the handle most of the time. I do think that he was better than SRT vs spinners.
Posted by Alex10 on (March 03 2010, 11:14 AM GMT)cric_analyst: Very funny. However, in all fairness, as early as Feb 2009, IC admitted on TV "I don't think anyone should tell SRT what to do and what not to do" as he watched SRT complete century in the memorable 117* at SCG ... that was just 11 months after the mirror article. I think he just likes Ponting and Lara better, and there is nothing wrong with that. When asked to name his list 5-6 all time greatest batsmen (this was Oct 2008), he named Sobers, Pollock, Viv, Kanhai, Tendulkar-Lara (he lumped them together), and Ponting. Now, these days, how many of the "experts" recall Kanhai as one of the greatest, and isn't it the truth?
Posted by cric_analyst on (March 03 2010, 09:14 AM GMT)IC has inadvertantly started the IanChappel-Mirror series ...lol Act 1 Scene 1 IC : Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the greatest of them all ? Mirror : Sachin Tendulkar, it has always been and will always be. IC : But Ponting is .... Mirror : (interrupting IC) Since u r unable to comprehend this simple fact, I suggest u just accept it and save urself the trouble. IC : But I am an expert .... Mirror : Your thinking has always been skewed, short sighted, very biased, reactive and lacking any cricketing vision. IC : But I have also praised Sachin in this article ... Mirror : Unfortunately u have lost all privileges to write or talk about Sachin. The best you can do now is to apologise for ur absurd comments on the greatest batsman and salvage whatever remains of ur reputation. (scene closes as audience applaud)
Posted by SatyajitM on (March 03 2010, 09:01 AM GMT)Extremely limited understanding of cricket shown by XrSxLxN. As per him Ponting is great because he is fearsome even in 'Tough' pitches of Aus, Eng, SA. Now that's amazing. Every batsman is supposed to be good at home where he plays day in day out, Ponting too is no exception. Now talking about England he averages 44 in 18 test matches which is medioocre and comparable to Sachin's avg in SA (40). Sachin doesn't have anything comparable to Ponting's avg of 21 in 12 test matches in India. On the other hand Sachin average 58 and 62 in in Aus and Eng respectively. However, I do consider Ponting a very good batsman but not at the same class as Sachin (ask Neil Harvey, but you may not know the name as you haven't even seen Lara play!). Lara was in Sachin's class in test cricket (but fairly behind in ODI) while Viv Richards was of similar class as Sachin in shorter version. I am yet to hear about a machine called Selfishmeter which can be stuck to somebody's head to measure selfishness ;-)