Flintoff's action

[membersstand]

I've barely ever seen Flintoff bowl (we don't have pay TV), but have heard a few people (P. Roebuck) questioning Flintoff's action, especially on his faster "effort ball". What are people's thougts on this ?

 

[Mr Casson]

It's butt ugly, but he's a strong, strong man and it's obviously natural for him. It's not something that needs to be tampered with.

 

[Arrow]

You beat me to it. What an ugly action. Which is uglier? his or harmison's?

 

[membersstand]

I was talking more about a suspicion he is chucking...

 

[Mr Casson]

You beat me to it. What an ugly action. Which is uglier? his or harmison's?

I think Harmison's is quite fluid. He must be such a Hercules because he almost ambles up to the crease; sort of like Freddie, but lets the ball absolutely rip. Other players really charge into the crease with their lower body but don't get the express pace happening (Hoggard, Gough, Kasprowicz).

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Most pace bowlers have chucked over the years, according to ICC regulations.

 

[bryce]

on the subject of ugly pace bowler actions, shaun tait

 

[membersstand]

Most pace bowlers have chucked over the years, according to ICC regulations.

What a marvellous post :sarcasm:

 

[Mr Casson]

on the subject of ugly pace bowler actions, shaun tait

I think the reason for Shaun Tait's success so far is not extreme pace combined with accuracy, but like Lasith Malinga, he conceals the ball well before he bowls it. So when the ball goes into the right spot, it already has the pace and the batsman is often clueless. I wouldn't have him changing his action.

 

[membersstand]

I think the reason for Shaun Tait's success so far is not extreme pace combined with accuracy, but like Lasith Malinga, he conceals the ball well before he bowls it. So when the ball goes into the right spot, it already has the pace and the batsman is often clueless. I wouldn't have him changing his action.

Yes, it's also hard to face a bowler with no rythm at the crease as you can never be 100% as to when the ball will be released

 

[Top_Cat]

I can see where the perception he's doubtful might come from. At full-speed (as in not slow-mo replay speed), there's a discernable 'flick' at the top of his action. I always just assumed it was a wrist flick, though. He certainly gets a lot of bounce no matter what length he bowls so you'd imagine this would be the case.

 

[apartheid smash]

on the subject of ugly pace bowler actions, shaun tait

stop this derogatory behaviour now

 

[Jono]

It is a very ugly action. I don't particularly quite like looking at it, but he makes up for it when the ball is released.

 

[Jono]

I can see where the perception he's doubtful might come from. At full-speed (as in not slow-mo replay speed), there's a discernable 'flick' at the top of his action. I always just assumed it was a wrist flick, though. He certainly gets a lot of bounce no matter what length he bowls so you'd imagine this would be the case.

Yes I've noticed the flick too. It does intrigue me, but never really believed it was a throw. Not too surprised its been brought up though.

 

[Arrow]

Id say ntini's action is the ugliest. Looks like a train wreck.

 

[Mr Casson]

Id say ntini's action is the ugliest. Looks like a train wreck.

I'm impressed with it actually. He doesn't even use his left arm to guide the ball, so he must just be naturally gifted at landing the ball because he doesn't really have accuracy problems. He's just a really natural athlete, so it works for him.

 

[Jono]

Id say ntini's action is the ugliest. Looks like a train wreck.

Personally, that action would irritate me as a batsman. Just from watching on TV (Granted I'm no Vaughan or Strauss ) I wouldn't have an absolute clue on how to play him. Not necessarily due to his brilliance, but his awkward action.

However as mentioned he is a brilliant athlete. Quite brilliant.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Speaking of bowling actions, it's interesting that all 4 pace bowlers regularly used in the Australian side (McGrath, Gillespie, Kasprowicz and Lee) have very fluid, classical bowling actions. McGrath and Lee in particular are very nice to watch.

 

[Neil Pickup]

There's probably some elbow joint movement in it, but if you look at anyone from enough camera angles you'll find movement.

It's not something I (or he, I'd wager) will be losing sleep over.

 

[Mr Casson]

Speaking of bowling actions, it's interesting that all 4 pace bowlers regularly used in the Australian side (McGrath, Gillespie, Kasprowicz and Lee) have very fluid, classical bowling actions. McGrath and Lee in particular are very nice to watch.

Lee's is more fluid than it used to be. He used to be more stiff with his left arm at the point of delivery. Gillespie's is very similar to Harmison's, and I just don't think that he has the same makeup as Harmison to pull it off injury-free for a long period of time.