fastest bowlers in new Zealand right now?

[thierry henry]

What bothers me about Sears is he’s about to turn 26 and everyone still talks about him like he’s a kid (particularly the “he’ll be a good bowler when he bulks up a bit” rubbish). If he’s gonna have an international career it really needs to start happening pretty soon. Just seems stuck at ‘project player’ level.

I say he’s not gonna be a thing just because that seems like where the smart money is. I’d be happier than anyone to see him get a good few years in at the top level.

 

[thierry henry]

A general post on pace, and trying to pick the speed by your own eye - before they play at a higher level with a televised speed gun.

Shipley ended up being about 5kph faster than I thought he was, from watching him in domestics. (Think he has a quicker arm speed? that makes him quicker than he looks? dunno)

While O'Rourke was a bit slower.

The reason I immediately took a shine to O’Rourke was because he was bowling alongside Shipley and watching live at EPOO he seemed like a much faster, taller, bouncier version of Shipley. Speed gun doesn’t back that up yet though.

 

[SteveNZ]

What bothers me about Sears is he’s about to turn 26 and everyone still talks about him like he’s a kid (particularly the “he’ll be a good bowler when he bulks up a bit” rubbish). If he’s gonna have an international career it really needs to start happening pretty soon. Just seems stuck at ‘project player’ level.

I say he’s not gonna be a thing just because that seems like where the smart money is. I’d be happier than anyone to see him get a good few years in at the top level.

Yeah, the bulking up thing just isn't a thing. I can't see that it'd do anything for him, because the issues with him at the moment are his radar, he probably doesn't use his height well enough and doesn't do much if anything with it.

It gives me no pleasure to write him off and I shouldn't. His T20I record is actually good, but when you watch him you can't see it transferring into an ODI or Test career....and no one gives three ****s about a T20I career. It's actually weird writing this and thinking soon no one may be able to give a **** about an ODI career, either. And next time we play one, I'll almost be a year older.

 

[Flem274*]

I think Sears has good clay and he's done well at domestic level but the injuries and Wellington dad's army shenanigans have really slowed his opportunities to develop.

I've always liked him and we're 4 years out from the next important world cup and have a test attack that realistically needs new blood right now, so I'm cool with giving him opportunities.

 

[anonymouskefe]

The reason I immediately took a shine to O’Rourke was because he was bowling alongside Shipley and watching live at EPOO he seemed like a much faster, taller, bouncier version of Shipley. Speed gun doesn’t back that up yet though.

Saw O'rouke bowl multiple balls over 143kph in the last two games against Bangladesh. Not to sure why we cant get speed gun in the domestic t20's would love to see it.

 

[anonymouskefe]

Ben Sears was clocked at 148 a few times in the 3rd t20 against the bangers. Mcmillan and scotty stevenson were also mentioning that he hit 150 on one ball. I did not watch his full 4 overs so can't confirm. No doubt sears is capable though. Could get quicker if he decides to not be a slender man anymore. Come in chris donaldson.

Also, just saw a short from the rocketfactory IG page feauturing nz u19 player ewald schreuder. They claim he's been clocked at 139kph before. Strong claim. Does seem to have a solid action tbf. Will see what sort of pace he hits during the upcoming u19 wc in SA.

Yes Ewald Schreuder is quick played with him before hes originally from South Africa so could be another one SA have lost.

 

[Red_Ink_Squid]

What bothers me about Sears is he’s about to turn 26 and everyone still talks about him like he’s a kid (particularly the “he’ll be a good bowler when he bulks up a bit” rubbish). If he’s gonna have an international career it really needs to start happening pretty soon.

Under the Stead regime he's still got another 5-6 years to develop I guess.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

Sears is in danger of falling into the 145kph no-mans land. You either want to actually be cracking 150 consistently or show some other obvious attributes to be penetrative at international level.

 

[thundaboult]

wasn't lockie a very unfinished product when he debuted at 25 yo? would bowl good pace for 1 short spell and go down to 130s for the remaining? i believe chris donaldson could help sears

 

[Athlai]

wasn't lockie a very unfinished product when he debuted at 25 yo? would bowl good pace for 1 short spell and go down to 130s for the remaining? i believe chris donaldson could help sears

Yeah was only bowling heat for about 3 overs in a day, came back in a huge way not that long afterward and we all kind of forgot about it

 

[Speed Demon]

Ben Sears was clocked at 148 a few times in the 3rd t20 against the bangers. Mcmillan and scotty stevenson were also mentioning that he hit 150 on one ball. I did not watch his full 4 overs so can't confirm. No doubt sears is capable though. Could get quicker if he decides to not be a slender man anymore. Come in chris donaldson.

Also, just saw a short from the rocketfactory IG page feauturing nz u19 player ewald schreuder. They claim he's been clocked at 139kph before. Strong claim. Does seem to have a solid action tbf. Will see what sort of pace he hits during the upcoming u19 wc in SA.

Unfortunately Sears will never go near 150 plus with his current bowling action and biomechanics. How to bowl "fastest" still isn't taught in NZ to kids growing up. Lochie (and maybe Shane Bond) is just an outlier. We just end up with all these 135kmh ave seamers as a result.

 

[thundaboult]

Unfortunately Sears will never go near 150 plus with his current bowling action and biomechanics. How to bowl "fastest" still isn't taught in NZ to kids growing up. Lochie (and maybe Shane Bond) is just an outlier. We just end up with all these 135kmh ave seamers as a result.

I disagree. Sears will get there and then some. The NZ fitness setup itself, plus the international facilities he will get with all kinds of coaching abroad (whenever he lands his franchise t20 contracts) will all aid him.

I disagree on the other point too about nz bowlers these days all being 135km. Andrew hazeldine, matt fisher in the domestic scene have all been clocked at 140+ .....even blair tickner in international games has been clocked in high 140's

Sears has been clocked in high 140's and O'rourke has already got past 150 a few times

Plenty of evidence to suggest that something has changed in nz cricket to promote out n out fast bowling

 

[wellAlbidarned]

the only thing which provably makes fast bowlers is consistently flat domestic wickets

australia doesn't 'teach' bowlers to be fast. You just have to bowl fast to be effective.

 

[Starfighter]

the only thing which provably makes fast bowlers is consistently flat domestic wickets

Is that why Pakistan and India produced an absolute bounty of fast bowlers in the fifties and sixties?

 

[wellAlbidarned]

Is that why Pakistan and India produced an absolute bounty of fast bowlers in the fifties and sixties?

no that's abject poverty and an underdeveloped talent pool

 

[Zinzan]

Anyone else notice Sears was 5-6 kms down on pace last night vs. his Test debut against Australia last year?

Was only in the 131-138 range & didn't crack 140 from what I saw.

 

[Starfighter]

no that's abject poverty and an underdeveloped talent pool

Australia produces fast bowlers not because they the pitches are flat but because they're bouncy, something your batsmen find out each time they come here. Domestic pitches have often been a touch grassier than the test ones too.

 

[Starfighter]

unless it's the different speed guns.

Well according to Jofra Archer they read slower in NZ

 

[NZTailender]

Anyone else notice Sears was 5-6 kms down on pace last night vs. his Test debut against Australia last year?

Was only in the 131-138 range & didn't crack 140 from what I saw.

Sears way down on pace from where he was last season, barely cracking 130kmh this spell. Seems like he's still a month or two short of being fully match fit.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

Australia produces fast bowlers not because they the pitches are flat but because they're bouncy, something your batsmen find out each time they come here. Domestic pitches have often been a touch grassier than the test ones too.

Yeah there's obviously multiple factors, but flatter wickets is one of the few which is easy to control. It's hard to make bouncy wickets in a country where the soil/climate doesn't suit it.