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Romeo
24 Apr 2006, 22:34
Aussies turn to Akram
(PTI)

23 April 2006


SYDNEY — The Australians are looking for some subcontinental help in their bid to win back the Ashes.
Australian fast bowler Brett Lee, who was at the receiving end of Kevin Pietersen's broad bat last summer when England wrested back the famous urn after 18 years with a 2-1 win, has approached former Pakistani pacer and captain Wasim Akram to learn the art of reverse swing.
Lee and teammates Nathan Bracken and Mitchell Johnson took time out in Bangladesh to seek advice from Akram, who is also in the country as a television commentator.
"Brett Lee is a sight to watch in world cricket. Any bowler comes to me from any nationality, I am there to help," Akram, well known for his mastery of reverse swing, said.
"It was about action, about seam, a lot of talk about reverse swing," Akram, the only bowler in the history of the game with more than 400 wickets in both forms of the game, said.
"These guys want to improve, so they want to ask the top cricketers (for advice) and that's good.
Little details
"I did tell them the little details about reverse swing. I think soon in the Ashes we will be seeing Brett Lee bowling reverse swing," Akram was quoted as saying by an Australian web site.
"We spoke about a number of things from conventional swing to reverse swing and different lines and lengths," Lee said of his chat with Akram.
"He gave us a few pointers and ways to try and get the ball to swing a bit more as the Australian cricket team haven't really mastered the art of it yet.

apollo_creed
25 Apr 2006, 01:09
Yep saw the great, sexy, brilliant, amazing, superb, fantastic, excellent Wasim talking to Brett during the 2nd test.

Good stuff from Brett Lee.

Wanting to learn from the best quick bowler of all time.

Grimreepah
25 Apr 2006, 01:25
Lee can already get the ball to swing Irish. I presume Akram is going to teach him how to get the most out of it.

Grimreepah
25 Apr 2006, 01:30
Wanting to learn from the best quick bowler of all time.

Not only Lillee, but Akram as well.

Grimwood
25 Apr 2006, 01:40
Well you'd think that any discussions with Akram can only help Lee but is it worth him doing anything too radical with the way he bowls? Now that he's finally found some accuracy I mean.

bombersno1
25 Apr 2006, 01:57
He should be teaching Lee to bowl good line and length rather than reverse swing!

mickyt888
25 Apr 2006, 06:27
lee is a hopless wonder!!!! pointing and warne are australia they carry the team.

Cleavy
25 Apr 2006, 09:59
Hopefully Akram reminded the bowlers how to bowl conventional swing too. *sigh* a lost art. :(

beatnik
25 Apr 2006, 11:31
Hopefully Akram reminded the bowlers how to bowl conventional swing too. *sigh* a lost art. :(

terry alderman...where are you?

Dipper
26 Apr 2006, 02:18
I don't think reverse swing will be as big a factor as people think in the Ashes, that Kookaburra ball doesn't do it as much as the English ball.


The England bowlers got hardly any reverse going out in Pakistan & only a touch more out in India, even in England it's only certain grounds that it really starts going.

Cooldude
26 Apr 2006, 02:23
People kept harping on reverse swing back in the Ashes, while it was a massive factor, the first and foremost and main reason why the English bowlers owned us was their general discipline in line and length, and Aussie quicks' lack of the same thing

If they get the decks over here with a bit of pace and bounce and nip in them and they can bring out their best quicks, then reverse swing or not, they can :D:D:D:D us over

Kane McGoodwin
26 Apr 2006, 14:19
Good stuff from Brett Lee.

Wanting to learn from the best quick bowler of all time.
I agree, that it is a good idea for Lee & others to seek out a proven champ like Akram to further improve their bowling. Even if the reverse swing may not be as prevelent in Australian conditions, it will still assist him when he goes to the subcontinent (assuming he masters it).

POBT
26 Apr 2006, 14:57
People kept harping on reverse swing back in the Ashes, while it was a massive factor, the first and foremost and main reason why the English bowlers owned us was their general discipline in line and length, and Aussie quicks' lack of the same thing


Exactly right.:thumbsu: