Australian quick Peter Siddle has struck back at Geoff Lawson’s criticism of Cricket Australia’s policy of resting fast bowlers.
Siddle defends resting fast bowlers
Lawson, the New South Wales fast bowling coach, was highly critical of CA’s decision to withdraw Josh Hazlewood from NSW’s Bupa Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria last week.
Hazlewood was subsequently added to Australia’s lengthening fast bowler injury list, a shin problem likely to keep him out of action for several weeks.QUICK SINGLE: Hazlewood ruled out of grade match
According to Siddle, such injuries are a consequence of the modern day bowler’s heavier workload.
“The simple thing is the games have increased,” the Victorian told radio station 1116 SEN.
“There’s a lot more games now then Geoff Lawson would have played in a couple of years that we play in one season. That’s the thing that annoys me a little bit.
“(Lawson) had a long run of injuries throughout his career. It’s said that his career lasted 10 years and Mitchell Johnson played Geoff Lawson’s career in three and a half so I think that’s the comparison of the game’s difference and where we’re at.”
Australia’s fast bowling depth has been tested in the lead up to the Ashes by injuries to some of its brightest young prospects, including Pat Cummins, James Pattinson and Mitchell Starc.
But Siddle said the problem isn’t confined to Australia.
“It is hard” said Siddle. “I guess we’re probably blessed in a way that we’ve got such a young group of bowlers at the moment that one day will hopefully become superstars.
"But they’re all round at the same time, instead of having one player injured like a Brett Lee in his early career.
“You’ve got blokes over in England, Tim Bresnan and Jamie Overton, two young players who’ve got stress fractures as well, so we’re not the only country having these troubles.
"It is worldwide and it’s something that hopefully one day we can eradicate but in the meantime it’s just hard work.”
QUICK SINGLE: Key players to prepare in Brisbane
Siddle and Queensland quick Ryan Harris won’t play for their respective states in the next round of Shield matches, instead joining Michael Clarke at CA’s new high performance facility in Brisbane to continue their preparation for the first test at the Gabba.
“That’s been the plan for a long time. It is a five test series so to be backing up continuously over the summer I needed to have a bit of a break so I’ve had that now and I can get ready.
“I’m feeling good, the bowling is coming on well and I’ve had good rhythm throughout the last couple of Shield matches so I can get up to Brisbane, freshen up and get ready to go,” he said.