West Indies symbolise change in trend
Slower pitches and quicker scoring today have allowed spinners a better chance to assume an important role in troubling batsmen than in previous decades
Abhishek Mukherjee
25-Feb-2013
Slower pitches and quicker scoring today have allowed spinners a better chance to assume an important role in troubling batsmen than in previous decades. This change of trend is epitomised by the inclusion of more than ten slow bowlers in the provisional squad of West Indies, who were once known for a fearsome pace attack, notes Richard Gibson in the Guardian.
Historians will point you towards the retirements of the two Cs, Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose a decade ago – intimidation was lost. And it is a sign of how the global game has changed – with the proliferation of slow pitches and advent of 20-over cricket – that while they used to grip you in fear, they now tie you in knots.
You see, the 30-man provisional squad named by West Indies for next month's World Twenty20 contained than 10 spinners. No, that was not a misprint. A third of their party were capable twirlers.