Is Fast Bowling Dying?

No. I do not think so. The mean bowling machine called Mitchell Johnson believes in sheer pace. If you feel Ashes 2014 was a one off performance, he proved you are wrong with his intimidating bowling performance against South Africa at Centurion. Not only did Australia get back the Ashes through his fearful bowling, the performance also caused a few careers to end (Kevin Pietersen, Andy Flower, Graeme Swan to name a few). Effects of pace bowling? It might sound debatable but, I would definitely stand up and say yes. 70's and 80's saw the most fearful pace attacks. Both West Indies (Andy Roberts, Malcom Marshall, Michael Holding, Joel Garner and Colin Croft) and Australia (Jeff Thompson and Dennis Lillee) had formidable fast bowlers who won matches with their sheer intimidating performances. Pakistan too had menacing bowlers in Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis and South Africa had a certain Alan Donald in the 90's. All these bowlers relied a lot on their pace. It wasn't just the line, length and swing that got them the wickets. Pace was the main reason followed by accuracy. 

The present century bowlers rely more on their accuracy and less on their pace. And once the accuracy becomes inconsistent, they get carted all over at that mediocre pace. It has become tough to find fast bowlers who run in and generate speeds which can instill fear in the mind of batsmen. Shane Bond and Shoaib Akthar did show promise with the latter generating quite an impressive pace. Bond had a very short career while Akthar concentrated only pace with absolutely no accuracy. Bret Lee was another find of this century. He turned out to be a great fast bowler for Australia and did torment many batsmen with his pace. Today when most fast bowlers are struggling to touch 140 Kms/ hour, there are a few like Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Mitchell Johnson who are grilling the batsmen at more than 150 Kms/ hour. Pure pace and wayward bowling has never got any bowler anywhere. Also, just good line and length at 130 Kms/ hour does not classify you as a fast bowler. When you have the liberty of two bouncers an over, why not put it into effect? Fast bowling has to be intimidating and that is the only way to win mind games and the match.

I so wish there were bowling coaches who pushed young tear away fast bowlers to accelerate their speed. Sadly, most concentrate only on swing and many push their wards to become the next great swing bowler. The speed is forcibly cut down and the bowlers focus only on movement.  Interestingly, I cannot see or count many good swing bowlers in present day world cricket who has been successful with just their movement. James Anderson is the only name that pops up. Is it required to cut down your speed to concentrate on the swing? No, I don't think so. For example take the names of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Dale Steyn. They all had/ have pace and were/ are great exponents of swing bowling. Imagine being a swing bowler with a speed of 150 Kms/ hour. That is the best any fast bowler can be. Hope the new generation of fast bowlers do not sacrifice their speed for anything. In short, a fast bowler is a bowler who should bowl really fast and one who would instill fear in the batsmen with his intimidating pace.