With reference to why fast bowlers take longer run ups in Cricket than they used to?

Question

A few days ago I asked a question about bowlers run ups in cricket, let me make it clearer about the question I was asking.
In the 70s especially, i used to watch fast bowlers especially in test cricket take huge runups to bowl, Bob Willis, Geoff Thompson,Dennis Lilly to name a few.They would take allmost half of length of the ground ! But now the 'equivelent' fast bowlers of todays game eg Freddy Flintoff, Bret Lee take a run up of no more than half that.Is it because that fast bowling in cricket has evolved in teqnique? Or is it rules ?Or to do with stamina or anything else?

Answer 1

Previously there was only test cricket and the number of tests played was also small comparatively.
Now not only the number of matches is much more.But you have to complete the overs within a time frame both in tests and more particularly in ODIs.
So it is due to various reasons:rules,more frequent matches, and also conservation of energy.

Answer 2

TECHNIQUE OF FAST BOWLING:

The first thing a fast bowler needs to do is to grip the ball correctly. The basic fast bowling grip to achieve maximum speed is to hold the ball with the seam upright and to place the index and middle fingers close together at the top of the seam with the thumb gripping the ball at the bottom of the seam. The image to the right shows the correct grip. The first two fingers and the thumb should hold the ball forward of the rest of the hand, and the other two fingers should be tucked into the palm. The ball is held quite loosely so that it leaves the hand easily. Other grips are possible, and result in different balls - see swing and seam bowling below. The bowler usually holds their other hand over the hand gripping the ball until the latest possible moment so that the batsman cannot see what type of grip he or she is employing and prepare accordingly.

A fast bowler needs to take a longer run-up toward the wicket than a spinner, due to the need to generate the momentum and rhythm required to bowl a fast delivery. Fast bowlers will measure their preferred run up in strides and mark the distance from the wicket. It is important for the bowler to know exactly how long his or her run-up is because it needs to terminate at the popping crease. If the bowler steps over this, he or she will have bowled a no ball.

At the end of the run-up the bowler will bring his or her lead foot down on the pitch with the knee as straight as possible. This aids in generating speed but can be dangerous due to the pressure placed on the joint by this action. Knee injuries are not uncommon amongst fast bowlers: for example the English pace bowler David Lawrence was sidelined for many months after splitting his kneecap in two. The pressure on the leading foot is such that some fast bowlers cut the front off their shoes to stop their toes from being injured as they are repeatedly pressed against the inside of the shoe. The bowler will then bring their bowling arm up over their head and release the ball at the height appropriate to where they want the ball to pitch. Again, the arm must be straight although this is a stipulation of the laws of cricket rather than an aid to speed. Bending the elbow and "chucking" the ball would make it too easy for the bowler to aim accurately at the batsman's wicket and get them out.

Fast bowlers tend to have an action which leaves them either side-on or chest-on at the end of the run up. While this does not affect the speed at which they bowl, it can limit the style of balls that they can bowl. Effective swing bowling usually requires a side-on action.

A variant on the fast bowler's action is the sling (sometimes referred to as the slingshot or javelin), where the bowler begins his delivery with his or her arm fully extended behind their back. The slinging action generates extra speed, but sacrifices control. The most famous exponent of the slinging action is Jeff Thomson, who bowled at extraordinary pace off a short run up. Current internationals who employ a slinging action include Fidel Edwards, Shaun Tait and Lasith Malinga.

After the ball has been released, the bowler follows through at the end of his or her action. This involves veering to the side so as not to tread on the pitch and taking a few more strides to slow down. Striding on to the pitch at the end of a delivery can damage the surface resulting in rough patches which spin bowlers can exploit to get extra turn on the ball; doing so is illegal according to the laws of the game. Bowlers who persistently run onto the pitch can be warned, with three warnings disqualifying a bowler from bowling again during the innings.

Answer 3

When Andy Roberts played at Northlands Road he used to start from the boundary!

Fred Trueman et al, bowled more overs a day than the modern players...so it shouldn't be a stamina issue. Don't you find it curious that modern fit fast bowlers, bowl fewer overs BUT get more injuries?

Answer 4

It has nothing to do with the rules. The bowlers are taking short run ujp to conserve their energy as lot of cricket is being played now-a-days as compared to 70s. If bowlers take long run up as earlier, they will get exhausted and will not be able to sustain for long

Answer 5

In order to speed up the game, I suppose. It's too bad. Cricket does take a long time to play, but restricting the number of overs and trying to speed up the game is ruining it.

It's sad, but bowlers like Lilley and Massey are perhaps gone forever.

Answer 6

there is no technique developed as such. 'attempt Cricket' potential the bowler has to bowl very long spells and continuously (opposition bats for 2 or 3 days in recent times). So, they choose short run ups.

Answer 7

It give the momentum to the fast bowler to ball fast. Without long run up the speed of fast bowler may decrease up to the 20 KM/hr

Answer 8

they can gain the momentum much easier

Answer 9

show off heh heh

Answer 10

stamina