Quick bowling is about passion and attitude

Memonics

“Is the name Akhtar or actor?” asks Jeff Thomson, tongue firmly in cheek, about Pakistan’s pace ace who is currently having a mixed tour of India. “Heck, but it can’t be easy for him being the team’s lone strike bowler,” he adds quickly. “And he is not getting younger.”

Tommo, as Thomson is known throughout the cricket world, would know more of such matters than most. At one point in time he was the world’s fastest bowler - and with his slingshot action, arguably the most dangerous of all time. Now a ‘cool’ 57, he retains his sinewy frame and the candour which made him such a colourful character in the 70s.

“Quick bowling is about passion and attitude, there can’t be any compromise there,” he says. That should be some education for young bowlers who are ready to sacrifice pace in the hope of playing for a longer.

“But this game also requires intelligence and strategy,” he adds, citing how the threat of Muralitharan was nullified by the Aussie batsmen who studied him carefully, and used their feet superbly to attack the off-spinner.

Thomson is a fellow journeyman on the flight to Chandigarh, where he will do television commentary for the Indian Cricket League, beginning today.

He confesses to being excited about being in India again (he never played here), and believes that some of the most exciting cricket talent is resident here, some of which should find expression in the ICL tournament over the next fortnight or so. That will be the crux of the ICL because more than the stars, it is how the youngsters fare which will detrmine what shape this tournament takes.

“This is a huge country and with so many terrific youngsters coming from every part, they will seek platforms to showcase their skills,” says Thomson. “If the ICL gives them this opportunity, that’s splendid.”

In fact he believes that with India now the epicentre for cricket, players from other countries will also try to play more here. “I say that if the players benefit and the game grows, where is the scope for problem?” he questions.

Of the T-20 format, Tommo is characteristically succinct and pungent. “It has taken the bull-shit out of the 50-over game. If you want limited overs cricket, then why not limit it to the extent that it remains uncomplicated?”

Of Thomson it was said in his last few years as players that age might wither his pace, but not his attitude. True.