Australia's spin bowling problems

[rod_rooster]

I was watching some replays on Fox of some classic one day games of the past. One was particularly interesting. It was the 3rd final in the Benson and Hedges series from 1993/94.

A young Shane Warne was playing and there was so much talk amongst the commentators about how much of an impact he had had on cricket even at that early stage in his career. All the youngsters wanted to be Shane Warne and bowl leg spin apparently. He had rejuvenated a dying art and it now had such a strong future.

They talked of how all the people came to see Warne and all the future generations wanted to emulate what he was doing rather than wanting to become Lillee or Thompson.

What happened? Seriously they were right. Everyone back then wanted to be Shane Warne. Spin bowling became very popular. Surely at least one good bowler could have been produced?

Instead we are stuck with the only bowler good enough to play at test level for Australia being 36 and injured. The next best is also 36 but simply not good enough. The next after that is another Victorian legspinner who is 35.

I know it is too much to expect another bowler of Warne's quality but surely a spin bowler of reasonable quality could have been produced.

Thoughts?

[whufc]

Could it be said the redbacks have stalled the potential of the two that should have been next in line?

[rod_rooster]

Could it be said the redbacks have stalled the potential of the two that should have been next in line?

Nah i reckon they have stalled themselves by not being as good as they and others thought they were.

For what it's worth i still reckon Cullen Bailey is by far the better bowler of the two and should be playing ahead of Dan Cullen.

[locky801]

Problems, what problems, who took half the wickets today

[Hondo]

Maybe the selectors just have to take a punt with someone like Cullen Bailey and play him on a punt like they did with Warney

Even tho I accept all good judges at the time felt that Warnie was far from a punt ..... as history proved

But is persisting with Hogg or even MacGill beyond this season the best answer?

[LBT]

Maybe the selectors just have to take a punt with someone like Cullen Bailey and play him on a punt like they did with Warney

Even tho I accept all good judges at the time felt that Warnie was far from a punt ..... as history proved

But is persisting with Hogg or even MacGill beyond this season the best answer?

Not with a view towards the 2009 Ashes and beyond, give maybe a couple of youngsters a go this year and see who's up to it.

[mighty_tiger_79]

whats wrong with symonds and clarke becoming the major spinners on a full time basis

[Ian]

whats wrong with symonds and clarke becoming the major spinners on a full time basis

A couple of part timers that are very handy 2nd string bowlers (Symonds less so, but still not a strike bowler) at test level. Both very good one day bowlers though.

[gadj1976]

I was watching some replays on Fox of some classic one day games of the past. One was particularly interesting. It was the 3rd final in the Benson and Hedges series from 1993/94.

A young Shane Warne was playing and there was so much talk amongst the commentators about how much of an impact he had had on cricket even at that early stage in his career. All the youngsters wanted to be Shane Warne and bowl leg spin apparently. He had rejuvenated a dying art and it now had such a strong future.

They talked of how all the people came to see Warne and all the future generations wanted to emulate what he was doing rather than wanting to become Lillee or Thompson.

What happened? Seriously they were right. Everyone back then wanted to be Shane Warne. Spin bowling became very popular. Surely at least one good bowler could have been produced?

Instead we are stuck with the only bowler good enough to play at test level for Australia being 36 and injured. The next best is also 36 but simply not good enough. The next after that is another Victorian legspinner who is 35.

I know it is too much to expect another bowler of Warne's quality but surely a spin bowler of reasonable quality could have been produced.

Thoughts?

I think you've almost answered your own question - spin bowlers don't seem to hit their peak till 30 odd these days. McGain is a prime example. So theoretically we might have to wait another 10 - 15 - 20 years before the protege's of Warne become mid 30's.

In response to those who are saying Cullen and Bailey are stalling their own progress..... I've yet to see them bowl in situations even close to the situations that Warne got to bowl in. That being, having an attacking field, the opposition in trouble, chasing 400 odd, cracked and turning pitch...

See the 20/20 at Adelaide oval for instance. Having a total of 120/130 odd doesn't instill confidence in tossing the ball up, does it?

Anyone who's played the game realises you bowl differently when you've got 100 or 400 on the board. I don't think we are instilling confidence in the Cullen's because we're not giving them runs to play with.

[sasquatch]

whats wrong with symonds and clarke becoming the major spinners on a full time basis

Nothing.