Many of today's best bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Jofra Archer, and Hardik Pandya deal with significant back problems, which affect their performance and longevity. Former cricketer Waqar Younis breaks down the reasons behind these issues, highlighting changes in how cricket is played today. Back then, Test cricket was the primary format, allowing bowlers time to pace their workload. In contrast, today’s players constantly move from one league to another throughout the year, increasing physical strain substantially.
Younis also emphasizes why treating T20 as an easier format is misleading. Although it consists of only four overs per bowler, the intensity and risk involved in each delivery can be more demanding than a 10-over ODI spell. This high pressure forces bowlers to develop variations like slower balls and wide yorkers, but also leads them to adopt self-protective strategies that reduce their pace as a consequence.
He further explains that modern pitches and aggressive batting mean even two boundaries can force a bowler to change tactics, impacting their rhythm and speed. For a solution, Younis suggests that cricket boards should establish dedicated Test bowling units separated from white-ball squads. England and Australia have partially adopted such strategies where these bowlers focus on longer formats, bowling 20 to 25 overs a day at full pace, which can help preserve their fitness and pace.
Protecting bowlers physically and managing their workload is essential to sustaining pace bowling in the long term. Without adequate breaks and tailored training, bowlers risk frequent injuries and decline in effectiveness, which ultimately impacts team performance.