I need to know....

[am Bays]

A debate at footy training last night between some of the old timers (inc myself) vs youngsters.

The claim from the youngsters was 'Fast cricket bowlers weren't as fast as the bowlers these days'

Their evidence was essentially 'evolution'. Pretty much humans are faster, stronger, fitter, every other sports see pretty much most records being broken especially at olympic level. Other evidence was that these pretty much every AFL player can kick at least 50m go back years ago not the case. You get the gist.

Us oldies argued the Thommo fast bowling comp which clocked him at 160km.

???????

They're probably correct to an extent in that there is probably more of the bowlers that can bowl at around 140 km/h and sustain it during a spell due to improved strength and aerobic power.

However as Booney says the number of blokes who can nudge 160 km/h like Thommo, Akhtar, Tait, Tyson, Lee, Holding and Roberts are few and far between so. If in doubt go watch the youtube vision of Brian Close facing Holding in 1976 at Headingly....

Also go watch vision of Rod Marsh standing back in Brisbane and Perth in 1974 (25-30 m) and where 'keepers stand now (20-25)

[wenchbarwer]

One question I have, are they all measured the same way? Like, speed out of the hand, 10 metres down the pitch, reaching the batsmen?

With baseball, speed is measured differently now than the flame throwers like Nolan Ryan, who was still throwing 100mph+ heat at age 46 until he blew his elbow apart

EDIT: I just looked it up, baseball speed is now measured at 10 feet from the mound, old speeds were measured at home plate (50 feet, 6 inches further along)

[Brodlach]

The way pitches are manicured these days they should be quicker now, but they aren’t.

Probably more difficult to bat years ago too due to the less quality pitches, light rarely seemed an issue and sight screens were much smaller. Not to mention players fitness and inferior protection

[whufc]

The way pitches are manicured these days they should be quicker now, but they aren’t.

Probably more difficult to bat years ago too due to the less quality pitches, light rarely seemed an issue and sight screens were much smaller. Not to mention players fitness and inferior protection

That was somewhat of the common ground we found. We kind of agree in what Am Bays said in that yeah there probably are more guys getting up to 140kmh and yeah the increased professionalism, fitness, technique etc allows for the speeds to be sustained longer.

We did all agree that either way batting back in the days took a lot more courage with no equipment, smaller bats, uncovered pitches etc.

[tigerpie]

Pitches have been made the same, pretty much, for over a 100 years.
There was a time where they would cover the bowlers run ups but not the pitch.
So they could run in flat out then slide through the follow through.

The genuine quicks back then would be genuine quicks now.
Just like the genuine long kicks a hundred years ago would still be the long kicks today.
It's just there's more of them nowadays because they are pros and don't need to work for a living.

[Brodlach]

WACA 1971. Not sure we’ll ever see something like this in this era

[Booney]

Why do married couples insist on calling a night out "date night".

You can have a feed and shag anytime you like, no need to tell us all that's what you're doing.

[dedja]

Why do married couples insist on calling a night out "date night".

You can have a feed and shag anytime you like, no need to tell us all that's what you're doing.

Believe me, when you’ve been married 32 years, it’s a rare event worth celebrating.

[Booney]

25* and work harder*.

[Spargo]

If I’m going out on a date it certainly wouldn’t be with the missus…

[amber_fluid]

If I’m going out on a date it certainly wouldn’t be with the missus…

Agree
Girlfriends only

[Booney]

If I’m going out on a date it certainly wouldn’t be with the missus…

Not yours, anyway.

[Spargo]

If I’m going out on a date it certainly wouldn’t be with the missus…

Not yours, anyway.

Naturally (I do follow the Bays, you know)

[Dutchy]

Why do married couples insist on calling a night out "date night".

You can have a feed and shag anytime you like, no need to tell us all that's what you're doing.

I cringe every time I hear that term, absolute shocker

[Spargo]

Why do married couples insist on calling a night out "date night".

You can have a feed and shag anytime you like, no need to tell us all that's what you're doing.

I cringe every time I hear that term, absolute shocker

Right up there with “living my best life” - F#CK OFF!

[Wedgie]

Why do married couples insist on calling a night out "date night".

You can have a feed and shag anytime you like, no need to tell us all that's what you're doing.

We call it going to the pub.

[dedja]

Should the AC75 class yachts be used in the America’s Cup when they foil above the water instead of sailing in the water?

Doing 40-45kn in less than 20kn winds is crazy.

Stupid me thought that sailing was about the sailor’s ability to navigate the wind, trim the sails, etc, etc … not have technology essentially do it all for you.

[am Bays]

Finally someone else who lays awake at night thinking of the big issues line this…

[dedja]

Finally someone else who lays awake at night thinking of the big issues line this…

Yes, it’s been bothering me greatly.

[Brodlach]

Sunday, where the big issues are discussed