The myth about fast-bowler injuries

It's a misconception that the reason many fast bowlers and medium pacers break down these days is because of over-use. In Stuff.co.nz, Glenn Turner writes that bowlers are being "killed with kindness", by being under-bowled rather than the opposite, with an emphasis on preservation.

In the 1920s, the likes of Maurice Tate bowled about 1500 overs in an English season, and another 600 if he toured with England in their winter. In the early 1960s, Fred Trueman bowled about 1100 overs per county season alone. The South African Mike Procter, when playing for Gloucestershire in the late 1970s, bowled 800 to 900 overs in county cricket and batted at No4 in the order. In the 1981-82 season, Richard Hadlee bowled 1131 overs. In the 1998-99 season, the England seamers generally had higher workloads than other international players. For example, Andrew Caddick bowled 910 overs; Dean Headley 792. Courtney Walsh (437) bowled another 600 overs for Gloucestershire. Internationally, Shaun Pollock bowled 515 and Glenn McGrath 740.