Having sustained a minor stress fracture in his lower back, India speedster Jasprit Bumrah got ruled out of the ongoing South Africa Test series last week. Apparently, Bumrah will now travel to UK to seek opinion on his injury from multiple specialists.
Amid the latest development, West Indies pace legend Michael Holding reiterated his stand that the amount of cricket being played today is not encouraging for the fast bowlers.
“Let me start by repeating what I have been saying for the last decade: There is too much cricket being played in the modern era and all cricketers are suffering because of that,” Holding told Sportstar.
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Since Bumrah has been ruled out for a minimum period of two months, he will miss the Bangladesh series at home as well.
Holding, who has been the critic of Bumrah’s unorthodox bowling action ever since his Test debut in South Africa last year, once again reiterated that a tweak in action could serve the India pacer in the long run.
“I wouldn’t be able to say that Bumrah’s action has caused him to have stress fractures as I have no idea where those stress fractures have occurred, but what I know and have said to him is this: If he wants to have a long career, he needs to have a run-up and action that puts a bit less stress on his body overall,” Holding remarked.
“Using such a short run and being so explosive at the crease puts a lot more stress on his body than, say, a Joffra Archer, who has such a smooth rhythmical run-up and action that allows him to distribute the workload over his body more efficiently,” he continued.
Holding stressed on the fact that fast bowlers will suffer more than the rest because of the demanding nature of the job. He also emphasized the role of strength and conditioning coaches in building a strong and fit fast bowler.
“I had a few minor injuries throughout my career, but nothing major. My worst was having to have knee surgery to remove damaged lateral cartilage in my left knee,” he recollects.
“I have no problem with fast bowlers going to the gym. It’s a matter of managing what is done in the gym. You need strength to bowl fast along with stamina work of course, but the strengthening in the gym has to be managed and the programme has to be set out by someone who understands the job of fast bowling and not just by someone looking to create a Hulk.”
