Swinging both ways

[zaremba]

Originally Posted by Richard

Did he really swing it only in that Lord's Test and not in any of the others?

I can't remember about the other Tests in the series but he had managed to get into the WA and then Australian teams as a swing bowler, so, plainly, in terms of being able to swing the ball (both ways), Lord's wasn't a complete flash in the pan.

[fredfertang]

Massie played a couple of games for Northants 2nds in 1970 but after taking 2 or 3 for plenty they sent him on his way - what a difference a couple of years make

[SJS]

Originally Posted by fredfertang

Massie played a couple of games for Northants 2nds in 1970 but after taking 2 or 3 for plenty they sent him on his way - what a difference a couple of years make

Swing is a funny thing. It is so intricately connected to almost everything a bowler does in his action that one has to really know his action and its nuances to hold on to it. That is why one keeps coming across these bowlers who just lose their swing and are completely at loss to get it back. Unfortunately, even the coaches who will take all credit for the bowler as long as he is getting it right, are not able to put it together because many of them do not know it themselves.

That is why many bowlers who did not have a swinging delivery actually spent long hours, days, weeks and months in the nets to get to do it and these guys dont lose it as easily because they have 'learnt' how and what and why of it before getting it right. Those who are just 'gifted' with it may also lose as we do with so many gifts