Anthony Ireland ( improving as a fast bolwer )
Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2009 3:58 pm
Being besed in the U.K i've been able to whatch the english countys go head to head on Sky Sports this summer. And ( as a big zimbabwean fan ) i've been blessed with high class performances from our boys. Sean Ervine has played outstandingly well as a batting allrounder for Hampshire this year. Murray Goodwin has been in Supreme touch for Sussex, and the very talented, yet young, Gary Ballance has been working hard with the Yorkshire Camp.
But the man that caught my eye was Zimbabwean ex player Anthony Ireland, who ( as we all know ) has been at Gloustachire since the 2007 WC. When i last saw Ireland bowl, i fealt he lacked that cutting edge to take wickets at international level. HIs first ball was very often his quickest, and his action was not pretty.
But it seems under the supervision of John Bracwell, he's improved his game. In 2006/07 he was bowling mid to high 70's, now he's bowling low to mid 80's. His inswinger seems to be coming along nicely, and a very effective slower ball has been developed. Another improvement which i've seen is his jump at the wicket. In previous years he used to jump and stop at the wicket, but now he's got a much more aggressive approach, enabling his to push through the crease, apposed to just topping.
I do hope he comes and signs with a franchise, as i fell he'd be just the cutting edge zimbabwe has been looking for these past 2-3 years. He looks stronger and fitter, and looks to hava a more dinamic cricketing brain.Not to mention that his contract is up at the end of the season. Fingers crossed
But the man that caught my eye was Zimbabwean ex player Anthony Ireland, who ( as we all know ) has been at Gloustachire since the 2007 WC. When i last saw Ireland bowl, i fealt he lacked that cutting edge to take wickets at international level. HIs first ball was very often his quickest, and his action was not pretty.
But it seems under the supervision of John Bracwell, he's improved his game. In 2006/07 he was bowling mid to high 70's, now he's bowling low to mid 80's. His inswinger seems to be coming along nicely, and a very effective slower ball has been developed. Another improvement which i've seen is his jump at the wicket. In previous years he used to jump and stop at the wicket, but now he's got a much more aggressive approach, enabling his to push through the crease, apposed to just topping.
I do hope he comes and signs with a franchise, as i fell he'd be just the cutting edge zimbabwe has been looking for these past 2-3 years. He looks stronger and fitter, and looks to hava a more dinamic cricketing brain.Not to mention that his contract is up at the end of the season. Fingers crossed