McGrath: Pace bowlers need an off season
Australia legend Glenn McGrath believes fast bowlers need an off-season following the recent spate of injuries that have hit pacemen in world cricket.
The Aussies have suffered the brunt of the injuries with James Pattinson the latest seamer to break down, being ruled out for the remainder of Australia's domestic season due to shin-stress problems.
This follows the news that Peter Siddle was diagnosed with a stress fracture to his back while the world's best fast bowler, South Africa's Dale Steyn, has not played international cricket since December last year.
McGrath to Cricinfo: "Bowlers need to know themselves and what sort of workload they need off the field. For me, personally, the more I bowled, the better I felt whereas other guys need to be managed a bit more.
"So there is no one rule for everyone.Some of our injuries come from overbowling or high workloads, but it is more to me the fact that we need an off-season. Fast bowlers need an off-season because bowling and running deplete our strength.
"So as the season goes, our strength falls off and if we don't have an off-season to build it back up sooner or later, we are going to be injured."
A medium-pacer who took 563 wickets in 124 Tests, the most by a seamer in the history of the game, McGrath is currently in Chennai, India, helping the MRF Pace Foundation.
Latest
-
NewsDavid Bedingham ton puts Durham on top against Worcestershire
Dan Ibrahim is one of only two 16-year-old’s to score a half-century in the Championship.
-
NewsBlack Caps bowling coach Shane Jurgensen enjoying Root-De Grandhomme battle
De Grandhomme claimed the crucial wicket of Root in the 2019 World Cup final.
-
NewsReece Topley could miss large chunk of England’s summer limited-overs schedule
The left-arm seamer injured his right side playing for Surrey’s second team.
-
NewsWeather thwarts England and New Zealand on day three at Lord’s
Providing the conditions are dry, play will get under way on Saturday at the usual time of 11am, with 98 overs set to be bowled.
-
NewsRain thwarts England as no play possible before tea on the third day at Lord’s
The home side were waiting to resume on 111 for two in reply to New Zealand’s 378.
-
NewsRain holds up England’s reply in opening Test against New Zealand
When play does get under way, the hosts will resume on 111 for two.
-
NewsBen Brown century rescues Sussex against Yorkshire
Ben Brown, Lewis Gregory, Marcus Harris and Emilio Gay all hit centuries on Thursday.
-
NewsDouble century debut delight for Devon Conway as England fight back at Lord’s
Mark Wood and Ollie Robinson starred with the ball as the home side responded on day two.
-
NewsOllie Robinson praised for resilience after bouncing back on day two of Test
The England seamer faces an investigation over his historical tweets of a racist and sexist nature.
-
NewsDevon Conway hits double century but bowlers bring England back into first Test
The New Zealand batsman marked his debut by scoring 200 as the tourists made 378 at Lord’s.