It is not easy being a fast bowler. And it is extremely rare to see one operating at the highest level at the age of 35. Once a genuine fast bowler turns 30, it is generally considered the beginning of the end his career.
But three veteran fast bowlers have shown us this year that it is possible to be a consistent performer beyond the age of 35. Here we take a look at them.
LASITH MALINGA (35 years)
Lasith Malinga.
It looked the end of the road for the Sri Lankan slinger last year. He was carted around the park match after match as India blanked Sri Lanka in their backyard across formats. Malinga seemed to have lost his pace and bite. The 2019 World Cup looked well beyond his reach.
But he didn’t give up. Malinga worked on his his fitness and got his opportunity at the Global T20 League in Canada where he was the third highest wicket taker of the tournament playing for Montreal Tigers. He took 13 wickets from six matches at an economy of 6.4.
The 35-year-old proved his match-readiness in Sri Lanka’s domestic T20 competition and forced his back into the Sri Lankan team for the Asia Cup. And in his first ODI in a year, Malinga took two wickets in his first over in the tournament opener against Bangladesh. Sri Lanka lost that match and the subsequent one against Afghanistan to get knocked out of the tournament, but Malinga had found rhythm.
Then in the ongoing ODI series against England at home, Malinga became the fourth-oldest fast bowler to pick up a five-wicket haul in the second match, which the Islanders once again lost. The team might not be winning but Malinga is sure proving to be a winner. He now has more than 500 international wickets and a few more coming his way.
DALE STEYN (35)
Steyn is back to his best.
The South Africa fast bowler has struggled with shoulder and leg injuries for the best part of the last three years. And as he struggled with fitness, young fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi took centre stage, ensuring the Proteas didn’t really miss his services. At 35, Steyn has entered the twilight of his professional career and very few believed he would be part of the 2019 World Cup set-up.
But Steyn knew he was far from done. He was picked for the ODI series against Zimbabwe and came out all guns blazing in the two games he played. He first rescued the team with the bat in the second match, scoring a fine 60 to take the total to 198. But it was with the ball that Steyn made the real impact. Bowling as quick as he has in his career, Steyn consistently bowled in the 145kph while picking up two wickets.
In the third ODI, Styen let loose as he cranked up the speed to 150kph while capturing three wickets on a tough pitch in Paarl. If Steyn can maintain his fitness, he will be one of the first names on the team sheet.
JAMES ANDERSON (36)
James Anderson has shown no signs of slowing down.
The England pace veteran keeps going on and on. The England ace has played 10 Tests in 2018 and has 42 wickets to show for his efforts. He was one of the star performers for England as the Three Lions crushed world No1 India 4-1 at home. His mastery over English conditions was on display as he became the most successful fast bowler in the history of Test cricket, overtaking Australian great Glenn McGrath to take his tally to 564 wickets.
What is even more incredible about Anderson’s longevity is that he has played 143 Tests and is one of only two pacers to have delivered more than 30,000 balls in the five-day format. No wonder McGrath said that as and when Anderson decides to call it a day, no other fast bowler is likely to come close to his record as modern-day pacers simply don’t have the longevity to given the presence of franchise T20 cricket.
Anderson is still extremely fit and fields regularly at slip, showing his reflexes are as sharp as ever. He remains an all-condition bowler and there is every possibility of him playing until 40.
