Fast bowlers need protecting, says Lillee (27 November 1998)

27 November 1998

Fast bowlers need protecting, says Lillee

AFP

WELLINGTON, Nov 27 (AFP) - The problem of back injuries suffered by fast bowlers may never be solved unless players are protected when young, says Australian bowling legend Dennis Lillee.

Lillee, here for a coaching course, said young pace bowlers should never be extended.

"They shouldn't be over-loaded in the nets or in games. They should have a fair stint of bowling but no more than 45 minutes," he said here Friday.

"One of the first things to remember in caring for young fast bowlers' backs is that every back is different," he said.

"We are advancing in our treatment of injuries but there are a number of different theories. What is important is finding someone who knows what they are doing," Lillee said.

Trunk strength and flexibility were important and that did not mean fast bowlers required "great big muscles".

"You have to look at their action, assess whether it is a bad action and look at the chance of work overload.

"If you are going to correct a bad action you have to have someone who knows what they are talking about," he said.

Lillee is more conscious than most of the pitfalls of fast bowling.

Australia's leading wicket-taker with 355 Tests victims, Lillee was almost forced out of the game after the 1972 tour of England with back problems.

But painful rehabilitation work allowed him to recover and carry on for another decade of top-class cricket.