In the era where scores above 300 have become a norm, bowlers are increasingly under siege. Technological advances in thicker and lighter bats, along with smaller boundaries, have meant that the advantage has been significantly turned in the batsmen’s favour.
But who is to blame? While we all know a paceman or two who have gone for plenty, the stats show that spinners are suffering.
Spin bowlers are being ‘eaten alive’ by batsmen – especially in ODIs.
Flat decks and big bats leave nothing for these poor nomads, who are struggling to find their feet in international cricket. Take for instance the world’s No.1 Test bowler Ravi Ash. What a phenomenal bowler he is. But where was he in the Champions Trophy?
The red ball from his hand hits the deck and spins away like a ricocheting bullet, but with the white ball he turns into a puny defensive wimp!
Are there more examples of red-ball rebels becoming white-ball wallies?
Stat 1
Of the top 20 bowlers according to average, in the last two years, with a minimum of 180 balls, only five spin bowlers feature in this list.
Amit Mishra, the Indian leggie, with an average of 22.78 from 85 overs, is the second best on this list, after Mustafizzz. This is no surprise, as finger spinners are the major victims.
Stat 2
Of the top ten bowlers according to wickets, in the last two years, with a minimum of 180 balls, only two spinners make an appearance.
Imran Tahir, with 62 wickets, is second on the list with 62 wickets, after Kagiso Rabada. Adil Rashid follows him closely, with 62 wickets at number three. Once again, these two are both leggies, and less likely to be affected on flat pitches.
As can be interpreted from the above statistics, leggies and wrist spinners are not really affected by this ODI revolution. Finger spinners however should go and fiddle with their fingers in front of the TV. That’s all they can do, for now at least.
Michael Clare
Guest
It's become so boring to watch - too predictable with flat pitches, anything wide of the stumps called a wide, small boundaries, improved bats etc. I never thought I'd say it, but watching boundaries being belted has lost much of its appeal. I especially question the current calling of wides. I would love to see bowlers actually be able to use the width of the pitch instead of the virtually stump to stump line the ICC insists upon. Marked lines on the pitch could be used to even the contest between bat and ball instead of simply giving use the illusion that the pitch is wider than the line of the stumps. The bowler should have more latitude. Then again, this current trend oughtn't surprise anybody - the legendary leg spinner "Tiger" Bill O'Reilly always said it was a batsman's game!
Giri Subramanian
Roar Guru
More than flat pitches the biggest negative for a spinner in ODI's is short boundaries. Like jameswm said, yes good spinners beat batsmen in flight and deceive them with change of pace but again with the short boundaries and heavy bats, even mishits go for sixes. So overall not a good era for finger spinners, good wrist spinners can flourish on any kind of pitches.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Nah, the best spinners are those who can bamboozle the batsmen, usually with changes of pace.
Wayne
Roar Guru
Is Test Cricket was played on a road, the spinners wouldn't be taking wickets either. ODI's have turned into Batsman v Batsman. Its not Bat v Ball anymore. Give a spinner a lively strip to bowl on, and watch the batsman squirm.