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[Number4]

I have a theory on Rugby League players and the increased injuries they have gone through... I think that they are that finely tuned these days that they are on the edge of perfection... but step over that edge and something breaks.. Too much intense fitness training perhaps??.. Too much focus on weight training???.. Carrying more muscle mass than ever before???... Bigger builds putting more strain on the body???

[Vic Nicholas]

I have a theory on Rugby League players and the increased injuries they have gone through... I think that they are that finely tuned these days that they are on the edge of perfection... but step over that edge and something breaks.. Too much intense fitness training perhaps??.. Too much focus on weight training???.. Carrying more muscle mass than ever before???... Bigger builds putting more strain on the body???

Both BB and yourself make good points.

In the "old days", bowlers gained fitness by bowling hundreds upon hundreds of overs per season.

They played test cricket, FC cricket and in Australia, even district cricket (when available). They bowled and bowled.

Somehow, this made them more durable.

Look at Jeff Thomson...the only injury he ever got (and it was a bad one) was not from actually bowling, but from a collision with Alan Turner as they both ran in to try and catch a skied pull shot from Zaheer Abbas. Even then with his collarbone smashed, he was back playing test cricket in less than six months!

Nowadays, they suffer stress fractures of the feet, soft tissue injuries etc etc

Is it all the gym work that build their bodies into fine tuned machines, yet are susceptible to the slightest hint of strain?

I sure would love to know the answer and the remedy.

[Manormanic]

Well, the great Freddie Trueman used to say that to get fit for bowling - he bowled.  And there are plenty of other old time greats who would have paraphrased exactly the same thing.  What it comes down to is that bowling - even more than batting - uses a very particular set of muscles in the shoulders, back and chest and places a lot of strain on and through the front leg - so a lot of the gym bunny work outs that modern players seem keen on to ensure they look good on the beach are just creating extra weight - albeit muscle - in the wrong places.  English bowlers had this problem a few years back - Tremlett has lost something like 2st in muscle mass in recent years, Simon Jones made his problems far worse by looking like the incredible hulk at times, Plunkett and Mahmood both had issues as a result.   Not saying that accounts for all of the bowlers you've mentioned, but it was certainly a factor for Watto...

[Vic Nicholas]

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/foot-injury-pitches-pattinson-out-of-series-20120106-1pot5.html

[Manormanic]

Lovely quote from Jarrod Kimber today - "this series reminds me of an American remake of a much cooler European series I saw six months ago" - I confess, we may have the better cricketers, but you guys have the best broadcaster and the two best writers! (with apologies to Mike Atherton, who comes a close second and third, respectively)

[Aswani Cricket]

My theory is the limitations on junior bowlers now, makes me sound old but we used to play cricket at school, ride to training and bowl till we were knackered, now the amount they bowl is very limited.

Totally agree. These days the kids have to be taken off just as they've warmed up and got their line/length. Particularly frustrating for the kids who are good enough to play senior cricket

[Vic Nicholas]

Lovely quote from Jarrod Kimber today - "this series reminds me of an American remake of a much cooler European series I saw six months ago" - I confess, we may have the better cricketers, but you guys have the best broadcaster and the two best writers! (with apologies to Mike Atherton, who comes a close second and third, respectively)

Except for the fact that India have an injury free full team playing this time around.

In England they had a number of no names turning out due to absenses of Sehwag, Zaheer and co.

Wouldn't have helped them though...

[Manormanic]

Totally agree. These days the kids have to be taken off just as they've warmed up and got their line/length. Particularly frustrating for the kids who are good enough to play senior cricket

indeed - I agree there should be some restrictions because otherwise you run the risk of kids being bowled too far.  But I think that it should ONLY be a daily limit - for an under 15 12 overs is sensible - and no limit on spells.

[Manormanic]

Except for the fact that India have an injury free full team playing this time around.

In England they had a number of no names turning out due to absenses of Sehwag, Zaheer and co.

Wouldn't have helped them though...

Well, they're missing Praveen Kumar, who would certainly get in their best attack!  Face it Vic, your lads are just taking our sloppies!

[bigboy]

I think England will find it the same as India have, it's much easier to reach number 1 than stay there.

[Manormanic]

I think England will find it the same as India have, it's much easier to reach number 1 than stay there.

thats true - their run of series over the next three years is very demanding, with two Ashes, South Africa at home and visits to all three sub continental teams to come.  Difference is, I think England have a better infrastructure in place to support them remaining there.

[Vic Nicholas]

Well, they're missing Praveen Kumar, who would certainly get in their best attack!  Face it Vic, your lads are just taking our sloppies!

I doubt that the genteel 125kph Praveen Kumar would get a gig ahead of the faster trio they have at present to be honest.

This is India's dream eleven...or at least it was. Ro Sharma will come in for Kohli I would think.

That is about it though.

[Vic Nicholas]

thats true - their run of series over the next three years is very demanding, with two Ashes, South Africa at home and visits to all three sub continental teams to come.  Difference is, I think England have a better infrastructure in place to support them remaining there.

After this series, India will not play away from the sub continent for the next two years. So they will win plenty in that time.

England will be reminded that even cod average Indian players grow a leg when they are playing in home conditions.

You will find out soon enough.

[bigboy]

Poaching players that have grown up in other countries is hardly solid infrastructure, within the current laws or not I think it's why england will struggle to gain the respect that top spot deserves.

[Buzz]

Poaching players that have grown up in other countries is hardly solid infrastructure, within the current laws or not I think it's why england will struggle to gain the respect that top spot deserves.

Humm - KP and Trott were rejected by SA and Ireland isn't a test playing country - so poaching is not really the right word.
there are also a large number of up and coming English/Welsh players in the lions squad - so they have a chance of pushing on without using foreign players.

the next few years has a very brutal schedule for Eng - if we do remain number 1 during that period I am very sure we will retain/gain the appropraite levels of respect.