Bowlers too fast to last

SIR – I was a cricket umpire at all levels for 20 years, and “stood” with fast bowlers such as Fred Trueman, Wes Hall and JK Lever. I never remember them being injured (Letters, May 26).

The standard of fielding has improved, due in part to the strenuous exercising that now takes place, but this also appears to harm the physique of fast bowlers. They bowl fewer overs, play too little and train too much.

Had Fred Trueman been told that he was expected to spend more time on the training ground than the pitch, I have no doubt what the answer would have been. Yet today’s bowlers seem to be exhausted after about eight overs. The bowlers I knew were angry at being taken off after 20 overs and many objected to being taken off at all.

It is incredible to me how few overs are bowled by modern players, yet the injury rate continues to rise.

Terry Justice

Kingston upon Hull, East Yorkshire