Speed Guns : Good or Evil

The speed gun, at each end of a cricket field has often brought excitement amongst big crowds and fast bowlers alike.  Donald vs Akthar vs Lee vs Steyn vs Tait vs Roach, who will be the quickest of the day and the quickest in a tournament?

Before the advent of a speed gun at a cricket ground, we could probably count/ or assume the number of 140kmph plus fast bowlers around the world.  Today, there are arguably 2-3 per team.  I believe this is a concern. 

The speed gun must form part of the variables that put fast bowlers at risk to injury.  Workloads, age, bowling action and previous injury are amongst the other variables that put fast bowlers at risk.   I feel that the introduction of the speed gun, has made fast bowlers believe that they need to bowl at speeds of 140kmph plus, hence we are getting much younger bowlers, who are not anatomically ready, bowling at high speeds and hence injuries are occurring.

Cummins, Pattison, De Lange, to name a few are young fast bowlers currently on the side lines due to injury.  The general cricketing consensus, is that, we cannot buy speed.  Once a fast bowler consistently bowls at 140kmph plus, eyebrows are raised and there is excitement amongst coaches, selectors and the fast bowlers themselves.   Fast bowlers around the world and working their hardest to strive to become that 140kmph plus man and this ultimately puts even more strain on a bowlers body.   Research in Australia showed that Brett Lee, put 9-15 times his body weight through this ankle at front foot landing, hence he has had 6 ankle operations and a few other injuries during his career.

A concern of mine, is the consistency of the speed guns, particularly in our domestic competition.  I can confidently say that, the speeds shown on TV, have not been a true reflection of the bowlers work.  Speeds have been inconsistent at both ends of the field and this either builds a bowlers confidence or on the other hand breaks him down. 

Do not get me wrong, speed guns are part of the game now and brings a lot more excitement within the match.   Whats more exciting to see a fast bowler bowling at high speeds, bouncing batsman and creating a battle on the field. Speed does select individuals and brings in the crowds but managing workloads and assessing bowling actions of young men are just as important as a 140kmph plus man.

@Craig_gov