Cricket Australia creates new strategy for handling fast-bowler injuries

Cricket Australia (CA) is introducing a new position for a national pace-bowling coach to better manage its fast bowlers across international and domestic competitions. This move aims to address the increasing number of injuries among Australia’s quicks and ensure a more coordinated approach to handling them.

The decision comes in the wake of a recent limited-overs tour of the UK, where six fast bowlers were injured and another six were unavailable. However, CA had planned this role even before that tour. The role will be based in Brisbane and will focus on managing Australia’s contracted fast bowlers, as well as emerging talents from the Under-19 and Australia A teams. The successful candidate will also join the men’s international side on certain tours.

Currently, Daniel Vettori serves as Australia’s bowling coach, but he does not work with the team full-time. He also has coaching roles in franchise cricket, including Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL and Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred. As a result, CA has brought in coaches like Clint McKay and Rob Cassell on a temporary basis. The new pace-bowling coach role is expected to bring more continuity and consistency to the team's coaching setup.

Australia’s fast-bowling depth has always been a strength, but the recent spate of injuries has underscored the importance of managing the next generation of quicks. Key bowlers like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood have been heavily relied upon, while others such as Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, and Spencer Johnson have faced various injuries. Green, in particular, became the fourth Australian fast bowler to undergo major spine surgery to address stress fractures.

In addition to the injury concerns, there has been friction between CA and state associations over how fringe fast bowlers are managed. With the demands of international cricket and the rise of franchise leagues, players are seeking opportunities abroad, often leading to increased workload and injury risks. For example, Spencer Johnson, who was called up for the UK tour, played multiple T20 leagues and first-class matches without a break, resulting in a side strain.

The new role will focus on planning workloads, off-tour preparation, and skill development for fast bowlers, with the goal of preventing injuries like those that occurred during the UK tour. The role is also expected to reduce friction between CA and state teams by providing a more structured approach to managing Australia’s quicks.

CA’s current contracting model has also been called into question, with some arguing that it needs to be updated to accommodate the increasing demands on fast bowlers. CA currently contracts 24 players, with nine being fast bowlers. However, there are calls to expand the number of contracted players and tailor their schedules to avoid burnout and injuries.