Where have all the good fast bowlers gone?

Great fast bowling was the main feature of West Indies in the past. West Indies was consistently able to  defend small totals and win matches because of the effective of the fast bowlers. It has been quite a while since a really effective West Indies fast bowler has appeared. In many instances, there is only the presence of "lollipop" bowlers.
These bowlers are fair game for many opposing batsmen. we have seen Austrailia scoring at will almost without any challenges in the last test series. Gone are the days when we beamed with pride whenever bowlers like Malcolm Marshall, Michael Holding, Andy Roberts and Joel Garner, Courtly Ambrose, Colin Croft, Courtney Walsh, and Wes Hall graced the stage. There is now a great cause for concern if we will be producing any reasonably effective fast bowlers in the near future because it has been a long time since we haven't  produced any.

Beaton and Mindley

Peters and a few were victims of Insular SELECTORS.

Fidel was a Lara Selection after he bowled to him in the Nets.

The Quicks are there ...the Selectors are the problem

In addition , the PITCH preparation in the caribbean has gone to the dogs


Years ago, Lara made a public gesture to Charlie, the groundsman at  Sabina Park

as the Ball turned square from a spinner on Day 1  !!

So the problem is Complex

we need Soil specialists OR we need manufactured "drop in " Pitches.

The three most successful fast bowlers over the last decade are Jerome Taylor, Kemar Roach and Fidel Edwards. Edwards was deemed too old (and is now a kolpak), Roach has fallen off a cliff and Jerome Taylor has lacked consistency on a year to year basis.

All three have excellent numbers at home, but their records in overseas Tests are less impressive.

Jerome Taylor:

Home: 83 wickets at an average of 26.53 and a strike-rate of 50.1
Away: 47 wickets at an average of 48.46 and a strike-rate of 76.4

Kemar Roach:

Home: 90 wickets at an average of 24.50 and a strike-rate of 50.4
Away: 32 wickets at an average of 46.37 and a strike-rate of 70.0

Fidel Edwards:

Home: 79 wickets at an average of 30.63 and a strike-rate of 53.0
Away: 86 wickets at an average of 44.52 and a strike-rate of 62.9

What might surprise is the fact that Taylor and Roach's average and strike-rate at home are right in line with the home numbers of five of the seven fast bowlers listed in the opening post. 

Curtly Ambrose: An average of 21.19 and a strike-rate of 55.7
Joel Garner: An average of 22.34 and a strike-rate of 51.0
Courtney Walsh: An average of 23.70 and a strike-rate of 58.9
Mikey Holding: An average of 23.75 and a strike-rate of 50.1
Wes Hall: An average of 25.82 and a strike-rate of 54.4
Andy Roberts: An average of 28.75 and a strike-rate of 57.9

Croft (19.71 AVG, 39.1 SR) and Marshall's (20.06, 42.4 SR) numbers are far superior.

Among other things, what really sets those 7 apart from Taylor and Roach are their numbers in overseas Tests. All 7 were just as good in overseas Tests as they were at home.

One more stat that caught my eye; Kemar Roach's numbers in home Test matches are identical to those of Mikey Holding.

Kemar Roach: 42 innings bowled, 90 wickets taken at an average of 24.50 and a strike-rate of 50.4.
Mikey Holding: 42 innings bowled, 86 wickets taken at an average of 23.75 and a strike-rate of 50.1.

One final stat: 14 West Indies fast bowlers have taken a minimum of 50 Test wickets at home. Jerome Taylor's strike-rate is tied with Mikey Holding for third best all time, and Kemar Roach (50.4) is fifth on the list.



The talent is clearly there, but for whatever reason, Taylor and Roach have not been able to replicate their success at home when they travel abroad.

Marlon Richards looking good  as well

This last Regional 4 day contest that GUYANA won :

revealed  a good CROP : for the future !

will take a look at our U19 Selection currently competing ....

Beaton has no first class experience but is a young and exciting talent.

W/Indies cricket has always punted on exciting young pace bowling talent even if they don’t

have the requisite experience – Michael Holding and Joel Garner immediately come to mind.

Now is as good a time as any to do that once more.

www.stabroeknews.com/2013/opinion/letter...ternational-cricket/

Beaton was consistently clocked at over 90mph during the recent U-19 World Cup

and was easily the quickest bowler in the tournament. His showing in the T-20 tournament confirmed his pace


Kagiso Rabada was SELECTED for South Africa

Ronsford Beaton ..........Alas, just getting Older in the tooth    :-[

Santokie, 31, has ended his international career despite playing only 12 T20s for West Indies

and boasting a bowling average of 15.02 and an economy rate of 6.78 in all Twenty20 cricket.

He has been a regular player in the Caribbean Premier League, but last played for West Indies in 2014.

to answer the Thread question :

Santokie gone DUBAI    ;D

with Fidel and Tino

Beaton getting restless in Guyana