A typically thought-provoking post from The Old Batsman:
In a few days time, we will farewell the first decade in the history of Test cricket that has seen more batsmen dismissed LBW than bowled.
This revelation would seem to be supported by an answer Daryl Harper gave last year to a question about Hawkeye:
I probably do give more lbws because of Hawk-Eye than I did ten years ago. My personal feeling is that the ball hitting the leg stump a decade back would very rarely be given out lbw because of the feeling that the ball was sliding down leg. But now we've seen so many times from the replays that the ball hits leg stump very often, and we give it not out much more than [the ones hitting] off stump. I've subconsciously made that adjustment.
I wouldn't say I have become bolder, but more accurate. I normally store the Hawk-Eye situation, and use that bank of information along with little details like the bounce, the pitches, and use that to make the right decision in the field.
Tony,
great spot on that Harper quote. I suspect if Shane Watson keeps opening for Australia, there'll be lots more in the next decade too...!
Posted by: The Old Batsman | Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at 09:57 PM
It's pretty obvious that techniques have changed considerably too. You rarely see top order batsman bowled any more, because they simply stand in front of the stumps. Its much more common to see them being bowled off an inside edge or off their pads. It has to be an extremely good ball to sneak between bat and pad nowadays.
The only bowlers who take wickets clean bowled on a regular basis are spinners.
Posted by: Yobbo | Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 03:15 AM
And then there are the tail-enders.
Used to be the top bowlers, generally the ones employed to clean up an innings, would come on for the coop of grass and skittle the tail: bouncer, bouncer, yorker, out. Not so now. Tail-enders can bat far better; they are far better protected, so they get behind the ball; and they are much less likely to run away to square-leg a-la Rodney Hogg at the WACA all those years ago.
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 01:21 PM
This merely shows most Umpires are mostly ex-batsman.
As an ex-fast bowler I have no problem and never had a problem in giving out batsman LBW if I thought it would hit the leg stump after-all that is the law!!!
Posted by: The Don has risen | Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 02:03 PM
Try telling Billy Doctrove that the leg-stump even exists. Or even middle for that matter.
I will hold a grudge against him for his non-raising of the arm in Cardiff for ever.
Posted by: Vim | Friday, January 01, 2010 at 05:49 AM
One thing that has occurred to me is that more batsman hit across the line now.
When they miss LBW so there are more at the level I umpire.
If the bowlers could swing or cut the ball there would also be more bowled
Posted by: The Don has risen | Friday, January 01, 2010 at 10:52 AM
Harper obviously not studying the technology that closely...
1221: SA 107-3
Swann now - drifter, some sort of noise, huge appeal - is that out? Prior and Swann are convinced, Colly absolutely certain... but Daryl Harper says no! They won't refer this one, not after the not-given edge against Amla, but let's have a look.... Lord alive, clear edge. De Villiers knew it too. Harper you cl - hold on a second, was he stumped there too? Prior had the bails off, and it looks like AB's toe lifted out of the crease as he did so. In conclusion, de Villiers was out TWICE that ball, and yet he's still in. Discuss.
(from the BBC commentary, SA vs Eng, 3rd test)
Posted by: nick | Monday, January 04, 2010 at 12:22 AM
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Posted by: HCG | Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 02:58 PM
Right on, brother. Keep tellin' it like it is.
Posted by: Tony | Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 05:30 PM
Sorry I lost it after egg.
Are those the new Myki instructions? First two and last two words seem to confirm it.
Posted by: Adsy | Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 08:14 PM