England can't 'whistle down a mine' for fresh quicks - Snow

18 December 2017 03:59

England's problems with pace run far deeper than the beleaguered attack currently toiling Down Under, according to former Ashes-winning quick John Snow.

Snow won 49 Test caps during an 11-year international career and is best remembered for his hostile, series-defining turn in the 1970-71 series Down Under.

Joe Root would doubtless love to call on a seamer with Snow's skills after surrendering the urn after just three Tests, particularly with the Australian trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood leaving his own options in the slow lane.

It is not a new differential - for some time now English bowlers have mastered swing while their rivals have focused on the speed gun - but one that Snow believes is increasingly ingrained.

"Fast bowlers don't grow on trees," the 76-year-old told Press Association Sport.

"The wickets used to be better, they've got slower here in England for years and years. They've been messed about by directives rather than just focusing on producing good, true wickets.

"Fast bowling is about physical ability, physique, the mentality, the co-ordination. But you've got to want to learn how to bowl quick and for it all to slot into place.

"You've got to learn how to do it yourself, the coaches don't bowl the damn thing, the bowler has to bowl it."

The professional sporting environment which creates England cricketers is far removed from the one familiar to Snow, both within the cricketing bubble and in the outside world.

While young talents are identified earlier than ever, given specialised coaching regimens and conditioning courses, he believes that may not necessarily be the best preparation.

"There's no hard labour, whistling down a mine anymore," he said.

"People got strong backs from the labour they were doing then, strong backs, strong arms and co-ordination.

"Kids are starting playing younger now and they're not fully developed, which has to be looked at.

"In the old days you bowled 1,000 overs a season. Yes, it hurts but then you do it slightly differently until it doesn't and develop a bit more pace."

Source: PA