Pace. It’s an overused word, pace, used by pundits across the world, but rarely is raw blockbuster stuff. Until now. After nearly a decade of watching batting dominate the short-form game, it seems a turnaround is very much on the cards. A pace-bowling revival, full of exhilarating, blood-pumping spells is on its way, the sort of nail-biting low-scoring-thrillers where an extra 5kph tilts the balance in your side’s favour. What must it be like to be able to do something athletically that so few can? In a battle with the mind, body and pain, fast-bowling presents one of the toughest challenges in sport. The rewards though are immense-a chance to flirt with the greats and stand among the great pantheon of quicks that have come before. Sure it’s a batsman’s game-but fierce quicks are making a resurgence. And just in the nick of time.

It came to bear in the World Cup, where all the pressure building was present throughout the tournament, and then in the latter part, came two moments of definitive brilliance. 22 June, Old Trafford under lights and New Zealand’s semi-final place is on the line. Lockie Ferguson – the Black Cap’s emerging quick had turned out to be their ace in the pack, but his country needs him now more than ever. Black shoes to go with the black kit and a mo to die for complete the old school look, and he didn’t disappoint. The ball itself was sublime, but the barrage that came before was better, a real inspiring spell, as Hetmyer and skipper Holder fell in consecutive balls. The slower-ball to Hetmyer was sublime, well directed-leaving Shimron on his haunches and Ferguson clapping at the audacity of it all.

The second was simple brilliance, with Mitchell Starc to the fore against the old enemy. Ben Stokes needs no introduction and here he was threatening to steal the show once more. Enter Starc with a 150Kph in-ducking yorker that flattened the stumps: and English hopes.

The show went on as quicks continued to steal the show. Shaheen Shah Afridi- who has more than a hint of Wasim Akram about him-blew Bangladesh away in classic Pakistani fashion. 6-35 wasn’t bad for a nineteen-year-old. Pat Cummins was as miserly as ever and leader of the English attack Chris Woakes was toxic with the new ball, as was Trent Boult. In a tournament, many expected to be dominated by the bat on wickets that generally skid on, an outstanding set of bowlers ensured this would not be the case.

Five months later and the highly anticipated Big Bash came around as the big guns arrived on Australian shores, including South African veteran Dale Steyn, who remained a constant threat with his slower ball then short ball method. Tom Curran’s and Daniel Sams variations were potent weapons for their sides and the glimpses we saw of Josh Hazlewood were invigorating to watch and went a long way to the Sixers title win. Tasmanian Riley Meredith was explosive and used his speed to great effect before injury cruelly cut short a season that looked very promising.  Skiddy seamer Nathan Ellis wasn’t to shy away from the big stage, bowling at the death in two high scoring thrillers.

Throughout the summer, the significance of death bowling could not have been more palpable. 3 super overs in a two month period of international cricket meant executing in the latter parts of the innings was vital for the 1 percent margins.

It was in that summer that Australia started to develop an idea of their first choice white-ball attack, and with a T20 world cup on the horizon, it seems just in the nick of time. Seven-foot giant Billy Stanlake impressed with pace, bounce and execution and the experienced campaigners Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc were as lethal as ever.

But perhaps the most exciting aspect of the whitewash over Sri Lanka and Pakistan was the athleticism fielding from the quicks. The quartet of seam bowlers used were outstanding on the boundary, a snapshot of how much cricket has changed in the last decade.

And yet, there’s never been so much scrutiny from the media than now: mentally being able to ignore all the outside noise is a key asset to any bowler wanting to succeed at the highest level. There is so much more than talent required to compete against the best quality. “The battle isn’t with the guy twenty-yards away, it’s with yourself,” Glenn Mc Grath was quoted saying during Sky Sports’ “Mind Games” production. As soon as doubt kicks in the game quickly slips out of your grasp.

So much of this comes down to preparation and repetition- bowling a ball so many times you feel you have the best possible chance to execute with games going down to the wire. Brett Lee talks about locking the ball you are going to deliver at the top of your mark and being fully clear this is the right choice. Scolls talks a lot about willingness to fail in order to succeed and this is no different. Visualise the ball that you want to bowl and make that the most important at the time-preparation then execution.

With so much video analysis around these days, experimenting with different deliveries is crucial so in a pressure situation you can keep the batsman guessing. Bluffing is a method more and more teams are looking at- setting a field for short bowling but bowling a yorker. There is a fine margin between using your strengths to advantage and bowling to the conditions and the situation.

They say to fully understand you need to have made mistakes at some point in your career. Ben Stokes in Kolkata on that night missed his mark and paid the price-Carlos Braithwaite “ remember the name?” Being no stranger to heartbreak helped Stokes and in his golden summer on that night in July” he was able to pass on some of that experience to Jofra Archer. “ What happens here won’t define your career.”  

It seems that this mindset to back your instincts is the best possible recipe for success in the shorter-form of the game. In front of 80 odd thousand at the MCG who will step up, go the distance and learn the lessons? Who will blink first-you or them?

The truth is, for the last five years we have been treated to some of the highest quality of hitting and record-breaking sides pushing the boundaries of cricket. Morgan, Finch, Kohli, Williamson have led their sides brilliantly, but the signs are that we could be entering a bowling resurgence with the best quality of pacers available. T20 leagues around the world have ensured that playing in front of sell-out crowds is a normality and pressure is almost second nature to players across the world. 

Undoubtedly the most scrutiny from the media and fans comes from India, the country where Cricket is the religion and greats are worshipped. And so, on a December night in Kolkata, the annual auction took place, where massive contracts beckon, as does a ticket to the biggest T20 league in the world.

The headline that night was Pat Cummins, who at $2.2m is the most expensive overseas player ever.  Yet another chapter in the incredible story of the New South-Welshman. After taking six wickets in Jo’burg in his first test, he became the wonderkid, on top of the world and the next big thing. He would not play another test for six years. Throughout those years out of the game, including time spent in university, he would never lose sight of the ultimate goal; to play cricket for Australia again. After his return in India in 2017, the rewards for the hard work that came before. At the start of 2018, Cummins was ranked 36 in the test bowling rankings. It took him 16 months to rise to no.1 and is fourth on the one-day rankings. Arguably no bowler is more valuable in all three forms of the game.

Josh Hazlewood, Nathan-Coulter-Nile and Oshane Thomas also picked up big gigs, while the Curran brothers both bagged good deals. Oh, and did I mention the small matter of Dale Steyn? Quicks that could bat stole the show and are likely to be critical in this year’s IPL. 

It appears there is a chance though, with the tournament postponed to April 15th and safety concerns surrounding travel to India that this year’s competition won’t go ahead. We can only hope that the conditions are safe enough for international stars to travel.

Come to think of it, Cummins and Hazlewood, who both picked up IPL contracts, don’t follow the pattern of great Australian quicks. Neither is particularly fearsome nor possesses the same wild qualities that we’ve come to expect- Lee, Johnson and all the rest. It is this though that makes the transformation from the longest form to the shortest so seemingly simple. The ability to execute plans time and time again and not stray in line looking for the perfect ball. You know what you’re getting. With Cummins, for example, you’re not going to get a Starc inswinging yorker nor a leg-stump half volley. Every single ball, perfectly planned, superbly executed.

In the recent lone ODI against New Zealand, Cummins had figures of 0-12 off 4 overs by the time the wicket came about. Guptill forced to prod at a well-directed short ball-the catch from Smith was outstanding, the lead-up was simple class. No words spoken, everything said. On home soil, with the wind behind their backs and the odds stacked in their favour, Australia have announced themselves as firm contenders for the upcoming T20 World Cup. With so much talent elsewhere in the pace department internationally, it’ll be no easy ride.

The best of the rest…

Chief destroyer in the Kiwi’s remarkable semi-final victory over India, Matt Henry’s pace and swing make him a constant danger, especially on green wickets.

Jasprit Bumrah’s raw pace and canny slower balls mean batsman are always second-guessing against him, along with a searing yorker tailor-made for the death

New Zealand’s mister reliable Trent Boult is currently the top bowler in one-day cricket and remains lethal with the new ball- the famous inswinger has accounted for Virat Kohli twice in the last year.

Kagiso Rababa is the definition of hostile and will be toxic on Australian quick wickets in the World T20.

Sheldon Cotrell left-arm variations are key up the top of the innings and will be hoping to get the salute out more in the next twelve months.

About the Author

Ben Hobbs is a 12 year old boy from England who loves cricket and writing about cricket. He plays for Northumberland in England’s north and hass a member of the Cricket Mentoring community for the past couple of years.

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Chris 'Bucky' Rogers batting for Somerset in one of his 554 First-class innings

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I once spoke to a former professional player who became a coach in the professional ranks and asked him whether he would change his technique during the season during his playing career. He responded in the negative.

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About the writer: Chris 'Bucky' Rogers isn't your typical cricketer. Having toiled away in First-class cricket for over 15 years, he was finally rewarded for years of dominance opening the batting in both Australia & England with selection in the Australian Test team for the 2013 Ashes in England. He went on to play 25 Test matches for Australia where he scored 2,015 runs @ 42.87 including 5 x 100s. With the amazing First-class record of 25,470 runs & 76 centuries, he has now retired from playing and transitioned into coaching, where he currently is the batting coach for Somerset CCC. 

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He said working on technique is for preseason and once he started playing, all that mattered was watching the ball.

That, I’ve discovered, is a very traditional response, handed down from father to son.

I had to stop myself from groaning out loud. “How short-sighted” I wanted to reply. I’m sure he’s not alone and these days, coaches are reluctant to challenge technical issues in young players, preferring the students to figure it out themselves. Perhaps they fear intervention will only create more problems.

NO PRE-SEASON?

What if a player never has a pre-season as, like me, he plays continuously on both sides of the world, where the seasons overlap?

Just once did I have a pre-season in Australia – and that I remember mostly for the agony of running the sand-hills at City Beach in Perth, rather than any working on technique.

Instead I was chasing an endless summer by playing 12 months of the year in England as well as home. “What is a pre-season?” was my standard jibe at teammates.

That meant technical experimentation had to be done on the job – so the standard answer to not work on your game for six months of the year seems like a waste of time and opportunity to me.

Often as a young batsman, you’ll have days when you pick up a bat and it feels like it is a natural extension of your body and other days when it feels like you’re hefting around a railway sleeper.

DAYS WHEN THINGS WEREN'T WORKING

Numerous days in grade cricket and even opening the batting for Western Australia, my swing would feel so awkward I would be trying to adjust almost every ball. I might try picking the bat up higher in my swing, other times move my hands forward in my stance and even change the width of my stance. These were just a very few of many.

In fact what would really confuse me is, somehow I’d last until the lunch break feeling like I couldn’t hit one off the square and then come out after a 40 minute sit down and feel like I was Brian Lara … well not quite but you get the drift.

What it taught me though was to keep trying to get better. I would often think to myself, and now sprout this to every kid possible, one step back to go two steps forward. Working with my dad who was my coach, I’d try all sorts of technical changes and usually, after a while, something would click and it would all fall into place. It would be like hitting at a brick wall and then all of a sudden one thing works and the rest fall over like dominoes.

PROBLEM SOLVING - DON'T GET OUT THE SAME WAY

One of the great advantages of playing in four innings matches is the chance to problem solve as a batsman between the first and second innings. I disliked … no, I hated getting out the same way or to the same bowler in the second innings as I did in the first.

After getting out I would sit down and figure out a way to combat the bowler who dismissed me first time around. It might not have just been a mental change but quite possibly a technical one.

Stuart Clark once dismissed me for a duck with a perfect ball that pitched on off stump line and nipped away but instead of just accepting he’d bowled me a jaffa, I checked out the footage and saw my hands were not coming down straight in my swing pattern and caused everything - my hands and bat - to go towards mid on. So my bat actually was inside the line, hence the ball found my outside edge.

Second innings, my focus was trying to get my hands to go towards mid-off while playing with the inside half of my bat to counter the away movement. Yes I know this is a bit more than ‘Batting 101’ but I only started to understand my own batting by constantly tinkering – even to the extent of working out what doesn’t work, to find out what does.

PLAYING TO COACHING

As I moved from player to become a coach, a surprise first-up piece of advice from other coaches was to be careful about the level of input you try to pass on. Yes, that makes sense and it would be ignorant to not listen to advice from people who have spent a long time coaching. However, it will need to be balanced against my long-held belief that the best players in the world never stop seeking improvement.

My first club-coaching role came via former Australian player and teammate Bob Quiney to help out at his beloved St Kilda Cricket Club, where the players have an average age younger than ever and a thirst for learning.

I was wary of saying too much early, but when one player said, “I’ll do whatever you tell me to do Buck”, my tinkering instincts took over.

“One step back to go two steps forward”, I reasoned.

The first player asked me how to play slow medium pace bowlers as he had nicked off to one the previous Saturday. I told him to be positive and proactive. Walk at the bowler or walk into his line … a la Steve Smith … and whip him through the leg side if the bowler went for the stumps. The next Saturday he was in the same position and ended up, he said, with too much going through his mind and being neither proactive nor defensive. He nicked off again. But he had learnt from his mistake and knew what he’d do the next time and since has had some success.

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 Bucky passing on some knowledge during a batting masterclass for Cricket Mentoring in Perth

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INDOOR NETS SYNDROME

Another had what I call ‘indoor nets syndrome’ and had developed a swing where he just jabbed at balls that would race off his bat on the true synthetic surface, but had difficulty with the natural variation of turf wickets. His hands would go towards the leg side in his swing but the ball would slice to cover or more likely the slips. I was wary of trying to reshape his whole swing but then thought “Why not?” I’ll show him what I think works and he can figure the end result out for himself”. He was quite difficult to adjust and we even experimented with grip changes, not something I’d usually recommend.

After an hour’s work he was starting to get the basic principles and enjoying it. He had a far better understanding of a swing after trying something new and that can only benefit him. He can always go back to what he was doing but at least he’d tinkered and thought about it. Afterwards he seemed genuinely excited at the change and the understanding.

Yet there have been plenty of times where my coaching hasn’t worked. I tried to help Peter Siddle with his batting but made it worse. Eventually he figured a few things out himself and is still getting better – so maybe my “one-step-backwards” theory helped!

CHANGE TAKES TIME

With most things, change takes time to feel natural and this principle needs to be stressed and I’m wary of trying to change players into playing like me but sometimes certain things need to be tried.  I’m amazed when I see any tall player stand with his feet close together in his stance when Kevin Pietersen is ‘Example A’ of how to succeed as a tall batsman.

I firmly believe all the best players in the world are tinkerers and never stop trying to improve. Just ask Marcus Trescothick, who at age 41 was still telling everyone how he’s trying to fix things. That and his saying that ‘form hides in mysterious places’ were my two favourite things I got from him.

At the moment the county season has just started and he’s still working on his game plan against different kind of bowling. You’d think he’d have it all sorted by now but no, he’s using every opportunity to improve as we all should.

SUCCEEDING AT THE AGE OF 38

When asking me to write this article, Scolls (Tom Scollay) asked that I write a little about my own journey and how I managed to play well in the 2015 Ashes at age 38.

Like Trescothick, I had a thirst for perfection. Grit and determination was only a part of it. So many years of 12-months-playing of four-day cricket meant I had a very good understanding of my own game, with all its strengths and weaknesses, and to have some success against James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood and Steve Finn in bowler-friendly conditions was only possible with an in depth, intimate knowledge of my swing and my game.

For different bowlers and conditions, I would have different triggers. On the wickets that provided more bounce and seam I would have a back and across trigger while at other times, particularly against Anderson’s swing, I would push forward to try and cover the movement.

This skill only comes from trial and error and experimentation and willingness to learn. If every time I tried something, had initial failure and not persevered, my game would have been very one dimensional and limited.

Growing up I often watched in awe some of the bigger kids who seemed to make batting look easy but then fell away when they had to play against adults who matched them in size and strength. I believe it was because these kids had got it so easy early on, that they hadn’t learned to work at their game to try to understand it better.

ALL THE BEST ARE ALWAYS CHASING IMPROVEMENT

Of course, there are plenty of examples to disprove the mould but of all the best batsmen I have seen, the one consistent attribute they possess is a desire to never be satisfied and to chase improvement.

They tinker to learn … and then comes improvement.

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