Shoaib Akhtar banned for 5 years

[Tee]

At his best he must've been the best quick in the world. Just didn't see enough of it.

He seemed to enjoy the celebrity status and took his eye off the hard work that made him that exciting bowler. Easily distracted - a very common theme amongst potentially great sportsmen unfortunately.

[Parm]

I am deviating off topic slightly, but just found another unbelievable yorker from Akhtar - what a wasted talent.. but what a delivery!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfMZI...eature=related

**** me, the look on Giles's face hahaha

[Red Chilli]

At his best he must've been the best quick in the world. Just didn't see enough of it.

I can think of a dozen better of the top of my head

[Shaggy]

I can think of a dozen better of the top of my head

There aren’t even a dozen genuine quicks in the world!

I think you misunderstand. I don’t mean ‘ever’, I mean now. If I'd meant "ever" I would've said ever.

He’s obviously not been at his best for ages but in terms of genuine quicks there were none better in the world at the time than Akhtar at his best.

Now, there’s….what? Lee, who’s only become world class in the last 12 months or so, Flintoff who may never get back to what he was and Bond who is as equally injury prone. **** all else.

[Tee]

I think the physical demands of being a genuine fast bowler are too high - hence most great bowlers are now medium/fast - less exertion per delivery.

Watching Shoaib running in full steam I knew he would not last - I mean he would put so much energy and effort into each bowl.

Certainly he was up there as the best quickie when he first arrived on the international scene.

[Red Chilli]

There aren’t even a dozen genuine quicks in the world!

I think you misunderstand. I don’t mean ‘ever’, I mean now. If I'd meant "ever" I would've said ever.

He’s obviously not been at his best for ages but in terms of genuine quicks there were none better in the world at the time than Akhtar at his best.

Now, there’s….what? Lee, who’s only become world class in the last 12 months or so, Flintoff who may never get back to what he was and Bond who is as equally injury prone. **** all else.

I did misunderstand. Thought you meant ever.

Errr, genuine quicks when Akhtar was at his peak......

McGrath? Ambrose? Walsh?

Currently? Malinga the slinger?

You're right, pretty depressing

[Shaggy]

I did misunderstand. Thought you meant ever.

Errr, genuine quicks when Akhtar was at his peak......

McGrath? Ambrose? Walsh?

Currently? Malinga the slinger?

You're right, pretty depressing

Not sure how the dates work out but were Ambrose & Walsh not at retirement's door when Akhtar emerged as a (potential) world class quick?

Either way...they certainly weren't at their peak.

It's very depressing. Looprevil's assessment sounds fair but I wish we had as many lightning fast bowlers as we once did.

[saveferris]

He seemed to enjoy the celebrity status and took his eye off the hard work that made him that exciting bowler. Easily distracted - a very common theme amongst potentially great sportsmen unfortunately.

I reckon he will be in a Bollywood movie within a year

[Red Chilli]

I reckon it's the pitches to blame.
They're too good these days, there's little or no movement off the pitch these days for the quicks.
Good batsmen can take on a quick bowler on a dead pitch.

Regulations: 1 bouncer per batsman per over also stops the quicks.

It's just not advantageous to be a genuine quick these days, the rules and the pitches are against you.

[Tee]

What about Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis? Both genuine quickies who were playing when Akhtar came on the scene.

[Tee]

I reckon he will be in a Bollywood movie within a year

Or even a Lollywood movie...

[Red Chilli]

What about Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis? Both genuine quickies who were playing when Akhtar came on the scene.

True, and better than Shoaib.

[Shaggy]

I reckon he will be in a Bollywood movie within a year

It's funny 'cos it's true. Such a celebrity-whore. It's a real shame so many potentially great sportsmen go the same way.

Ashley Cole could've been the best left back in the world and he blew it with the celebrity thing.

[Shaggy]

What about Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis? Both genuine quickies who were playing when Akhtar came on the scene.

Yep, but there was a point when they'd both gone and Shoaib was still bowling well and very fast.

We're being picky. The point is he was one of, if not the best genuine quick in the world for a time.

And he's finished at 32.

[Shaggy]

I reckon it's the pitches to blame.
They're too good these days, there's little or no movement off the pitch these days for the quicks.
Good batsmen can take on a quick bowler on a dead pitch.

Regulations: 1 bouncer per batsman per over also stops the quicks.

It's just not advantageous to be a genuine quick these days, the rules and the pitches are against you.

Fair points also.

And with the West Indies, it's just another facet of cricket's basketball-induced demise. Whereas at one point most teams had one (two at a push) genuine fast bowlers, the WI usually had four!!!

Now look at them.