The future of pace bowling in New Zealand will take a dramatic turn with the likes of Chris Martin and Shane Bond hang up their boots. Questions are being asked about the future of fast bowlers in this country and whether we have the depth to compete at the top level.
You only have to look at the Central Stags to realise the future of pace is bright, with the likes of 19 year old Doug Bracewell and 17 year old Adam Milne taking 16 wickets between them in the latest Plunket Shield match.
Former selector and BLACKCAPS pace bowler Dion Nash said it is a good thing to see young pace bowlers coming through the ranks; however it is important to ensure they are not overworked.
“At age 19 or 20 your body is still developing. I came through at that age and suffered in the long run,” he said.
“Manage them carefully. We need to access more fast bowlers to built and create depth. It’s not a bad thing but we have to be very careful and look after them.”
With Test spearhead Chris Martin now in his mid 30s and the experienced Shane Bond and Iain O’Brien retired from the longer form of the game, the young fast bowlers will be expected to step up.
Nash believes the young quick’s should turn to the experienced ones to help forge a career and gain knowledge. “There are certainly a few bowlers out there who can step up, but they will have to start looking at a cricketing career and planning and working to the top,” Nash said. “I think the mid 30s is the end of the fast bowler’s career but they still have plenty to offer New Zealand Cricket. They (Bond and Martin) have a strong knowledge base.”
One bowler which has caught Nash’s eye is Bracewell, the young pace man from the Central Stags who has taken 13 scalps in the Plunket Shield this season already. The Bracewell name is well known within cricketing circles in this country, and Nash expects big things from the talented 19 year old.
“He looks like a strong guy with some talent. He’s got good heritage from his uncles and father,” he said. “There’s also Mitchell McClengahan, Hamish Bennett and Neil Wagner. I think there’s a gap between where those guys are and where they need to be to be considered regular players. I think New Zealand Cricket need to be aware and invest some time into the pool of fast bowlers.”
The cricket scene is changing, with Twenty20 being a key component within the season. Not only does this have an effect on a cricketer’s body, but also on the mind. “Twenty20 is more like pitching in baseball. Every bowl counts. It’s a different mindset compared to bowling 10-over spells. There are now more options but more pitfalls for fast bowlers.”
Because of the stress cricket takes on the body, fast bowlers have to be at peak physical condition to succeed on today’s cricketing landscape. “People don’t realise how athletic fast bowling is. You have to be an amazing athlete to bowl 150kms plus,” Nash points out. “We need to get guys interested in propelling a piece of leather and cork as hard as they can and expecting to be part of the game.
“New Zealand Cricket needs to be producing a few more Shane Bonds,” he concluded.
* Image of Central Stags bowler, Doug Bracewell
