Best Ever Fast Bowling Masterclass With Brett Lee

Summary

In this engaging discussion, a fast bowler shares insights on his bowling techniques, covering key deliveries like the outswinger, bouncer, and yorker. He recalls how he discovered his pace at 16 and emphasizes the importance of seam position, line, and action for delivering effective balls. He offers advice to aspiring cricketers, stressing the value of practice, experimentation, and enjoyment in fast bowling. He highlights the challenges of accuracy in one-day cricket and the satisfaction of deceiving batsmen with well-executed deliveries, particularly in varying conditions.

Takeaways

• 🏃‍♂️ Brett Lee discovered his pace around the age of 16 while playing for Campbelltown first grade.
• 🏋️‍♂️ He grew late physically, but once he started to grow, he could bowl around 150kph.
• 🎯 Brett's stock delivery was the outswinger, which he executed by keeping the shiny side of the ball opposite the intended swing direction and maintaining a straight seam.
• 🦶 Proper footwork and body alignment are crucial, with Brett preferring a semi-side-on bowling action for control and swing.
• 🔥 He loved using the bouncer as an intimidation tool, but advised it should be used sparingly for maximum effect.
• 🏏 Brett explained how to bowl a perfect yorker, which involves setting up the batsman with other deliveries before going for the kill.
• 💪 He emphasized that bowling at a high pace, especially 145kph+, made all deliveries more effective.
• 🎯 Accuracy was one of Brett's key focuses, practicing tirelessly with drills like knocking over shoes set at a good length.
• 👟 For younger bowlers, Brett advised finding their stock ball, whether it's an outswinger or inswinger, and practicing it relentlessly.
• 😃 Most importantly, he encouraged kids to have fun while bowling, experiment in the nets, and enjoy the process of learning fast bowling.

Q & A

At what age did the speaker realize their pace in bowling?

Around the age of 16, when the speaker started playing for Campbelltown first grade and noticed the ball was flying through at around 150 km/h.

What advice does the speaker give for bowling a great outswinger?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of seam position, holding the ball with the shiny side opposite to the direction of the swing, standing the seam up, and ensuring the ball is delivered on the right line, aiming for middle stump.

Why is it important to get the line right when bowling an outswinger?

If the line is too wide, the ball will start swinging away from the batsman, wasting the delivery. The speaker suggests aiming for middle stump and letting the ball swing away.

What does the speaker say about their bowling action?

The speaker used a semi-side on action, where the front foot faces the batsman, and the back foot is parallel with the crease. This helped them swing the ball effectively.

How does the speaker describe the proper use of a bouncer?

The bouncer should be used sparingly as an intimidating ball, with the seam held dead straight. The aim is to get the ball to fly past the batsman, not necessarily to hurt them.

What is the speaker's attitude towards injuring batsmen with a bouncer?

The speaker admits they didn't like hurting batsmen, despite putting on a brave face. They prefer to use the bouncer as a strategic ball rather than causing injury.

What advice does the speaker give on bowling an effective yorker?

The yorker should be saved for key moments, used to deceive the batsman after setting them up with other deliveries. The speaker suggests practicing by aiming at shoes placed on the pitch to perfect accuracy.

How does the speaker suggest setting up a batsman for a yorker?

The speaker advises using the outswinger and bouncer to set up the batsman, then delivering the yorker when it's least expected to catch the batsman off-guard and potentially knock their stumps out.

What key tips does the speaker offer for aspiring fast bowlers?

The speaker highlights three main tips: practice regularly, have fun, and experiment with different deliveries to find what works best.

What does the speaker say about fast bowling in conditions like India?

The speaker mentions that it's tougher to bowl in India due to the lack of bounce and pace in the pitches, which makes fast bowling more challenging compared to green wickets.