Merchants of Speed

One of the most fascinating sights on a cricket field is that of a tearaway fast bowler, steaming in with the fury of a bull and sending the wickets flying into the air. The batsman is devastated. The spectators are stunned into silence. And then the stadium erupts into pure pleasure. Aficionados of the game have many such moments safely etched in their memory but what often escape is the years of toil that goes on anonymously at the nets. Fast bowling is an art that requires talent, body, heart and hard work.

In Indian cricket, such ‘sightings’ have been as rare as the Halley’s Comet. India had started off well with two genuine fast bowlers — Amar Singh and Md Nissar — who tormented England batsmen with their speed, skill and accuracy in the inaugural Test at Lord’s in 1932. About Amar Singh, Wally Hammond, one of the finest batsmen of his time, had famously remarked, “He came off the pitch like the crack of doom.” Nissar was considered even faster than his bowling partner and was the first Indian bowler to take a five-for when he finished with 5 for 93 in India’s first-ever Test. Thereafter, it was only in 1978 when India discovered another speedster in Kapil Dev. The last fast bowler, who served India with any distinction, was Javagal Srinath.

This exotic breed needs to be reintroduced into the Indian cricket habitat. The selection committee seems to be warming up to the idea. The blooding of raw and young merchants of speed — Umesh Yadav and Varun Aaron — for the forthcoming Ind-Eng ODI series shows the resolve. It’s a small step but has a great intent. What needs to follow is faith in the boys and opportunity to blossom.

Laying down a conveyor belt for producing fast bowlers will almost be a journey into the unknown for the Indian board and will require unwavering faith and resolve. In the past, a few half-baked efforts were made, which produced only half-baked results. The likes of Irfan Pathan, Munaf Patel and Ishant Sharma did threaten with sheer speed but quickly settled for the preferred ‘line and length’ philosophy over raw pace. 

The board must start ‘Project Speed’ with a well thought-out plan and a team of men with impeccable credentials. Changes are often met with reluctance and resistance, but performance should never be sacrificed at the altar of inertia. As a bowling coach, Eric Simmons hasn’t quite delivered. Since his appointment in Jan. ’10, no medium-pacer, with the exception of Zaheer Khan, has performed with consistency. Other bowlers like Sreesanth, Munaf and Ishant have performed but only in patches. Of late, even Zak’s body has been revolting to carry on the team’s burden single-handedly. Further, Simmons could not help Harbhajan Singh to arrest his decline. The writing is on the wall — Team India needs a bowling coach of the stature of Andy Roberts, Michael Holding or Dennis Lillee.

The National Cricket Academy must also have a dedicated team of pedigreed bowling coaches, physios, fitness trainers and masseurs for the intensive training program of young fast bowlers (15-20 each from Under-15 and Under-19 age groups) unearthed from all over the country. The board must aim to produce at least five genuine fast bowlers for the Indian team by 2016. And it must be willing to do whatever it takes, including laying down fast, lively pitches.

Glory never comes easy on a cricket field; nor do fast bowlers.