pakistandiehardfan
12th February 2011, 11:03
Brett Lee, Shaun Tait, Dale Steyn, Lasith Malinga and probably Shoaib Akhtar and Morne Morkel are capable of electrifying the ICC World Cup 2011 with their lightning fast bowling — hurling the ball at speeds exceeding 150kmph.
A dozen years ago, Pakistan's Akhtar, then a rookie 24-year-old, lit up the quarterfinal at Old Trafford by bowling New Zealand's Nathan Astle and Stephen Fleming neck and crop.
Fleming was all at sea against the dipping Yorker delivered from around the wicket and very close to the return creaseline.
Akhtar may well be past his prime but skipper Shahid Afridi will hope that the World Cup inspires the mercurial fast bowler to rise to the occasion. On his part, Akhtar, who returned to international cricket after a gap of two years, is optimistic of bowling at 150 kmph.
“I have shortened my run-up but it has not affected my pace. I can still bowl around 150kmph. I wish I had modified my run-up 10 years back,'' he said recently.
The speed merchants who will be seen in action are sensational because of their over 30-metre run-ups, ability to generate speed in the air, allied with steep bounce and deviations off the turf.
Lee, 34, a showman of sorts like Akhtar, has prepared himself earnestly. He took the new ball in the ODI series against England and was the highest wicket-taker with 11 in six matches.
“I think my pace has increased with each game. I consistently hit a couple of 150s in some pretty hot weather and I was happy,'' he's said, adding that Tait would touch 160kmph during the World Cup.
Big gamble
Tait is known as the ‘wild thing' in Australia and Greg Chappell has said that the selectors are keen to take the gamble that he would be right for the major part of the World Cup.
“Tait is coming back from a long layoff and his body is letting him know that. There are a few aches and pains that go with it. He has a very heavy-duty job to do as an express bowler which puts a lot of stress on the body. We picked him to be a strike bowler; we know what he is capable of,” Chappell told the Australian media recently.
Malinga has proved to be a top-quality bowler for Mumbai Indians in the opening spell and at the death, and Sri Lanka would expect him to set an example.
He was exceptional in the previous World Cup taking 18 wickets at 15.78. South Africans Steyn and Morkel, who have proved they can be express fast, would be making their World Cup debut.
A dozen years ago, Pakistan's Akhtar, then a rookie 24-year-old, lit up the quarterfinal at Old Trafford by bowling New Zealand's Nathan Astle and Stephen Fleming neck and crop.
Fleming was all at sea against the dipping Yorker delivered from around the wicket and very close to the return creaseline.
Akhtar may well be past his prime but skipper Shahid Afridi will hope that the World Cup inspires the mercurial fast bowler to rise to the occasion. On his part, Akhtar, who returned to international cricket after a gap of two years, is optimistic of bowling at 150 kmph.
“I have shortened my run-up but it has not affected my pace. I can still bowl around 150kmph. I wish I had modified my run-up 10 years back,'' he said recently.
The speed merchants who will be seen in action are sensational because of their over 30-metre run-ups, ability to generate speed in the air, allied with steep bounce and deviations off the turf.
Lee, 34, a showman of sorts like Akhtar, has prepared himself earnestly. He took the new ball in the ODI series against England and was the highest wicket-taker with 11 in six matches.
“I think my pace has increased with each game. I consistently hit a couple of 150s in some pretty hot weather and I was happy,'' he's said, adding that Tait would touch 160kmph during the World Cup.
Big gamble
Tait is known as the ‘wild thing' in Australia and Greg Chappell has said that the selectors are keen to take the gamble that he would be right for the major part of the World Cup.
“Tait is coming back from a long layoff and his body is letting him know that. There are a few aches and pains that go with it. He has a very heavy-duty job to do as an express bowler which puts a lot of stress on the body. We picked him to be a strike bowler; we know what he is capable of,” Chappell told the Australian media recently.
Malinga has proved to be a top-quality bowler for Mumbai Indians in the opening spell and at the death, and Sri Lanka would expect him to set an example.
He was exceptional in the previous World Cup taking 18 wickets at 15.78. South Africans Steyn and Morkel, who have proved they can be express fast, would be making their World Cup debut.