What Is Fast Bowling?

In the sport of cricket, fast-bowling is one of two major methods of bowling also known as pace bowling. Fast bowlers are also called various other names that include:

  1. Quicks
  2. Pacemen
  3. Seam bowler or seamer (fast bowler making use of the seam) 
  4. Swing bowler (fast bowler who can swing the ball in the air)

Different variations in fast bowling reflect the predominant characteristics of their deliveries. Technically, a pure swing bowler does not require a high degree of pace in their deliveries. 

Requirements for Skilled Fast Bowling

The secret of fast bowling is all about the rhythm, angles, and strength of an athlete. Along with that, there are certain things that come naturally such as the general coordination, the snapping of wrists, quickness of hand movement at the time of delivery. Other than that, there are some things that an athlete practices and learns to change. In short, fast-bowling consists of very hard work and it requires an extreme level of passion to want to do it. 

In modern elite Test Matches, a fast bowler is supposed to cover a distance of 15km a day. This means fast bowlers have the highest workload being a cricketer that demands high stamina and strength from them. Their body requires higher fluid intake during matches and practice sessions. However, it depends on the position they are playing and the weather conditions. They need proper and healthy sports nutrition along with monitoring individual fluid losses. 

The fluid loss in the body can relatively show negative impacts on the athlete’s bowling accuracy as well as their sprint speed. Other impacts on the body of an athlete include the improper concentration level and the improper ability of the body to cool itself. However, the nutritionists of bowlers make sure to provide them with top-up fluid intakes that include warm-up drinks, meal breaks, etc. 

The opportunity to have drink breaks during practice sessions or matches play a significant role in maintaining the strength of a pace bowler in any kind of weather. Other than meal breaks and warm-up breaks of taking fluids, another opportunity is to drink during the over changes or the fall of wickets.       

However, training is the best time for a pace bowler to establish and maintain strength and hydration habits. During the practice and training sessions, it easier for the athlete and the nutritionist to monitor the changes in the body of day-to-day fluid loss. The level and intensity of fluid loss differ from weather conditions and physical movements of the bowler.  

The Role Of Mental Strength And Toughness

As we have discussed the requirements of physical strength, it is important to pay attention to mental energy as well. This means it is a significant component in pace bowling along with having a high level of passion and aggression to stay determined through all the hardcore training. Be it a pace bowler or any other athlete, they are supposed to spend hours under the summer heat. 

Athletes must work with specialist sports psychologists to develop resilience, flexibility, and fight in their personalities. Moreover, these psychologists suggest a range of mental techniques to help the players.