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fastest bowler ever?

the big bambino

International Captain
Even bowlers who were absolute tearaways when young seem to end up dropping back to that zone anyway, like Cummins and Steyn, it seems to be a real physical sweet spot where you can bowl long spells without really overtaxing your body but fast enough to still trouble international batsmen.
we all love express bowlers (and I love leggies) but the sweet spot you've mentioned seems to be the confluence of skills needed to compete with international batsman at the pace to worry them and without burning out the body.

I think another improvement comes from spell lengths too. I don't know why I remember an unremarkable article featuring Rodney Hogg but he mentioned the need to take care of himself because he might be called on for a 10 over spell. That wasn't a remarkable comment for the time and you have to remember Hogg had fitness issues (asthma I think). However with developments in things like understanding the stresses on the body and the management of red zones, it would be unusual to see bowlers bowl spells like that now. Look what has happened to Archer.

There is no way Hogg could've fired rockets for all 10 overs but he would have still been able to bowl at a pace to threaten test batsmen. Whereas now you have fitter players bowling shorter spells and they can maintain a higher average speed throughout.
 
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Jack1

International Debutant
Steven finn and plunkett are 2 i can think of who started bowling 140+ halfway through their careers
Wood gets injured constantly but has been hitting 97mph recently. He never used to be so fast. Not getting any younger either.
 

Migara

International Coach
Benaud "grossly inaccurate"? I'd accept his opinions/observations above most CW posters. You overlook the fact that two greats in Bradman and Benaud share the some opinions based on their observations of Tyson.
Benaud / Bradman / Richards / or any mere mortals' speed assessment is zillion times inferior to a speed gun.
 

honestbharani

Whatever it takes!!!
Its all release speed anyways. I think there are other factors involved in whether it gets to the batsman at the same relative pace as well.
 

Starfighter

Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Benaud / Bradman / Richards / or any mere mortals' speed assessment is zillion times inferior to a speed gun.
It's all we have. You want to throw out any other observation, probably because it does not suit your agenda.

We have 24 or so years of speed gun data and the fastest bowlers have not gotten faster in that time.
 

the big bambino

International Captain
That’s possibly the reason. During the current World Cup you could clearly see the slower ball. Or the Pakistanis as a group, faster than the Indian or Australian bowlers. Or that Wood clearly shaded his English colleagues.
 

Everton Seymour

U19 Debutant
It's all we have. You want to throw out any other observation, probably because it does not suit your agenda.

We have 24 or so years of speed gun data and the fastest bowlers have not gotten faster in that time.
What Migara was asking for is quantitative data , you can't say observations from X cricketer or Y cricketer is what will ease his concerns because observations fall under qualitative data which is completely different .
 

the big bambino

International Captain
What Migara was asking for is quantitative data , you can't say observations from X cricketer or Y cricketer is what will ease his concerns because observations fall under qualitative data which is completely different .
Please ... you know that so called quantitative data can't be obtained. It's an impossible condition simply designed to dismiss authouritive opinions out of hand.
 

DriveClub

International Regular
For statistical purposes, you can only mention historical anecdotes as only anecdotes. Automatically non data driven observations will be disqualified. Applies to all sports. Just like Barry Richards could've been the greatest batsman but ifs and buts.
 

Everton Seymour

U19 Debutant
Please ... you know that so called quantitative data can't be obtained. It's an impossible condition simply designed to dismiss authouritive opinions out of hand.
Of course it can be obtained through technology, you sound like a Cricket Umpire from the 60's ...What me ?! I could never give a wrong decision! Richie Benaud said I'm the best thing since sliced bread so you must believe I'm way better than all these umpires who are subject to DRS and get decisions overturned . Trust me bro I'm an authoritative figure!
 

TheJediBrah

Request Your Custom Title Now!
Benaud / Bradman / Richards / or any mere mortals' speed assessment is zillion times inferior to a speed gun.
How did you come up with the number "zillion" here? I would like to see the calculations & equipment used please
Looks pretty buff too. Totally coincidental, I'm sure.
you really must just hang out with emaciated 50 year olds if that's "buff" to you
 

the big bambino

International Captain
Of course it can be obtained through technology, you sound like a Cricket Umpire from the 60's ...What me ?! I could never give a wrong decision! Richie Benaud said I'm the best thing since sliced bread so you must believe I'm way better than all these umpires who are subject to DRS and get decisions overturned . Trust me bro I'm an authoritative figure!
What technology?

The rest of your post is boorish one up man ship. Try not to be so sensitive when called out for making a stupid statement.
 

Everton Seymour

U19 Debutant
What technology?

The rest of your post is boorish one up man ship. Try not to be so sensitive when called out for making a stupid statement.
What technology?
The same technology that's used to measure speed rather than the human eye which is way more flawed.

The rest of your post is boorish one up man ship. Try not to be so sensitive when called out for making a stupid statement.
Called out for calling observations qualitative? You can call me out any time then cause that's exactly what it is .
 

the big bambino

International Captain
Called out for calling observations qualitative? You can call me out any time then cause that's exactly what it is .
Yes yes. Whatever.

You said of course it can be found through technology. I took that to mean technology prior to the speed gun era. If that wasn’t your meaning please clarify. However if I have arranged the tea leaves of your otherwise incoherent point then please produce it.
 

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