Bradman loved spin bowling. He would hate the pace monotony of this Ashes
Australian cricket is thumbing its nose at Sir Donald Bradman and many others who believe that cricket is about more than the seaming ball.
Bradman loved spin bowling. He would hate the pace monotony of this Ashes
On match eve at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Australia’s assistant coach and decorated former spin bowler Daniel Vettori shrugged his shoulders, in a gesture of defeat for his art.
It was becoming increasingly clear that the hosts were going to snub the off-breaks of Todd Murphy for the second Ashes Test in succession, and the fourth time in their past six matches.
Harry Brook (left) and Joe Root combined for long-overdue runs in the middle order.Credit: AP
And while it was not unheard of for teams to go all-pace in Brisbane or Melbourne now and then, the decision to leave out spin at the SCG of all places should be the cause for major introspection across the nation.
Cricket in Australia has not always been about pace. This country has been, for decades, a place that nurtured spin bowlers. Not only for their value in countries like India, Pakistan or Sri Lanka, but for their ability to be game changers and entertainers here.
No less a figure than Sir Donald Bradman once described the best kind of cricket as follows: “The epitome of great cricket is a top batsman batting against a third finger leg spinner. That’s the best cricket you could possibly see.”
In the years before Shane Warne emerged, Bradman bemoaned the monotony of constant pace bowling: the leggie’s spin renaissance was a highlight of the legendary batsman’s final years.
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Sharp observers of slow bowling in Australia have worried for their place in both domestic and international matches for quite some time. Craig Howard, who has mentored both Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy at different times over the years, had this to say in 2020. They were prescient words.
“Shield sides have shown they can win within their state without spin. And if you get the wickets right to a certain degree you can potentially win in Test match cricket in Australia without spin.
“But I don’t think it’s going to be the spectacle everyone wants. Day five with rough around, fielders around the bat, chunks of rough to bowl into, balls spinning or skidding out of the rough … if you don’t have it, you’re taking away a very exciting part of the game.”
