Lawson Could Miss Red Stripe Bowl
Fri, Jul 25, '03
The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) will recommend that Jamaican fast bowler Jermaine Lawson skip the Red Stripe Bowl until the work on fixing his suspect bowling action is complete.
The WICB has contracted biomechanics/human movement expert Dr Paul Hurrion to conduct tests on Lawson's bowling action, in compliance with ICC specifications and, once those tests are done, the board will push for the 21-year-old to skip the regional limited overs tournament and be fully fit in time for the West Indies tour of Zimbabwe.
Dr Hurrion, who has worked with fast-medium bowlers from the Sussex County Cricket Club, has done extensive research on bowling techniques and related injuries and is an expert on the renowned Quintic software that provides analysis and frame-by-frame feedback on body movement and techniques.
Dr Hurrion will travel to Jamaica and spend a few days administering biomechanical tests on Lawson's run-up, delivery stride and full follow-through. Former fast bowler Andy Roberts is expected to make the trip north to continue the rehabilitation program. Coaches Philip Service and Jeff Dujon are also involved with the rehab work.
Meanwhile, a coach working with the bowling review process told CaribbeanCricket.com that Lawson's reformed bowling action has resulted in noticeably reduced pace. "When he's bowling flat-out, there's still a kink in the elbow. But, when he straightens the back and the arm is straight, he's down to about 90 miles per hour," the coach said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
When the action was reported as suspect during the home series against Australia, Lawson was regularly clocked in the 97 miles per hour range.
"The reality is that he will never bowl at that pace without the strain on his back and the kink in the elbow. But, he can get up to 90 miles per hour, which is good enough at Test level. We have to work hard to make sure he understands this," he added.
With the Red Stripe Bowl scheduled for early October and lots of corrective work still to do, the smart money is on Lawson missing the tournament and preparing with a view to making the year-end tour of Zimbabwe.
There is also a strong possibility that after Dr Hurrion's analysis is done (the work includes frame-by-frame imaging of the bowling action at full speed), more corrective work may be needed and the WICB is leaning towards sending Lawson overseas to work with specialists. If that is needed, the board may send Lawson to either Australia, England or South Africa where medical specialists/coaches routinely correct suspect bowling actions, the source said.
"It all depends on what Dr Hurrion's findings are. He is coming with his high-speed cameras and computer equipment and based on what we see there, we will make the next decision," the source said.
"It is important that the JCA (Jamaica Cricket Association) understands that it's not in anyone's best interest for him to play in the Red Stripe Bowl. We need to make that very clear. Why risk further damage when the remedial work is not done. He has to keep his fitness levels up and be ready for Zimbabwe," the coach explained.