Courtesy-Crictoday
Former Australia captain Ian Chappell feels that the formation of bio-bubbles as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak is making life more difficult for current cricketers. He also highlighted the India-Australia Test series as an example of how the hosts’ bowling was worn out while India managed to stay fresh despite being handicapped by injury. He described the current cricketers as being far better compensated than previous century players. However, with all good things in life, there always comes a set of disadvantages, Chappell believes.
This was evident in the recent Australia-India series, in which the host team utilized the same fast-bowling trio in all four Tests. As the Australian fast bowlers wore down in the closing phases of the series, the Indian rivals may have gotten a reprieve since injuries forced them to change players repeatedly.
Chappell thinks India is one of the few teams that has enough experienced fast bowlers in reserve to overcome the schedule’s obstacles while remaining competitive. Chappell spoke on the impact COVID-19 has had on players and international cricket:
“The COVID-ravaged world has meant cricketers spend extended periods in bubbles, which challenges their skills and their mental health. It has also resulted in scheduling that has Test matches crammed together, which is physically and mentally demanding, especially for the fast bowlers,” Chappell said.
“Modern fast bowlers undergo a lot of different training to prepare for the rigors of nonstop cricket, but the injuries keep piling up,” he explained. “In the past, fast bowlers focused more on jogging and bowling a lot in the nets to achieve match fitness,” Chappell added.
The former Australia captain also asked if retiring players would want to receive the same rewards as the current generation of cricketers, or whether it is now the current players who lament being a part of a past period.