@Fivestar

I did not expect to me more confused HA HA HA HA

I am not sure now what is FACT from MYTH.

I believed that the Bowler could SWING the ball at will...aided by one side being rough while the other side was smooth.

I am pretty sure I have heard Bishop speaking about conditions being conducive for Swing Bowling too....but you still had to possess the KNOW HOW.

I am now not sure now that if we were to interview to different Bowlers if they would give us solid consistent answers or all different subjective reports.

But now...I believe I may call some people who should know...who walked the walk and have the bruises to show too.

@powen001

Yes, the ball should swing if one side is smooth and the other side is rough and if conditions are conducive to swing bowling.

The only problem is sometimes the ball just doesn't swing. It could be due to unfavourable conditions or an unsuitable ball.

I mentioned Bob Massie before who took 16 wickets at Lords swinging the ball both ways.

His next tour was to the Caribbean where he couldn't get the ball to swing like he did in England..

The Aussies looked at the prospect of him bowling straight balls to Kanhai, Sobers, Rowe, Kallicharran, Fredericks and Lloyd and said, "No way".

Massie never played in any of the five Tests against West Indies even though he had been a beast in England.

@Fivestar

So when I get on this MB defending GOOD Bowlers it comes from a place of understanding.

Sure- BATSMEN get most of the Glory but Bowlers are the Work engines and Strategist of Test Cricket...Body on the line...and prone to Injury like nobodys business.

So getting dropped next match regardless of performance is the kind of pressure they are always under it would seem.

#respectthetestcricketbowlers

@powen001

I agree bowlers don't get the same adulation as batsmen. However, all Test cricketers get dropped at times.

Bowlers, batsmen and wicketkeepers, they're all in the same boat.

The policy seems to be If you perform you keep your place and if you don't perform you lose it.

@powen001

Agreed. No matter how many runs scored, unless you can get 20 wickets, you do not win a match. Should bowlers be picked on conditions and with rotation in mind? For example, I would have rested Roach and Aljo for the second test and given Phillips and Keemo a run so that both would have been fresh (Aljo) for the ODI series and (both) the upcoming test series and we would have been able to decide between Phillips and Keemo which should be priority pick going forward.

@PalsofMine

That can happen when you have CONFIDENCE and EXTRAS>..to pull from to bowl.

It may appear to be extras to choose from but...I ll be honest with you...

Both Philips and Keemo need to be paired with a Bonafide senior in my opinion.

I am not as confident as you are putting them both in without a Senior at the other end.

@Fivestar

The policy seems to be If you perform you keep your place and if you don't perform you lose it.

ON PAPER LOL

You know W I Cricket History is replete with men who had excellent innings...even debuts and were never seen again...

Same for Bowlers , yes- But for me Bowlers always get the short end of the stick

Its that we sadly have the majority overwhelmingly underwhelming with the 30 likkle bit and 20 sometin Batting averages.

@powen001

Yes indeed. We once had a young batsman who averaged 70 in Tests given his retirement papers. Rumour has it he forgot to press, starch, and put blue in his whites.