PACE. You can’t coach that.
But to maintain it – and not get injured -well that’s the new frontier for the Australian women’s pace bowing stocks.
While the race is on in women’s cricket to become the first bowler to break 130km/h, there is another more significant project in full swing and that is to improve the potential of fast bowlers while reducing risk of injury.
Stella Campbell bolted into the Aussie team in September last year and made her ODI and Test debut against India – she was a replacement for speedster Tayla Vlaeminck who was ruled out with a stress fracture in her right foot.
But now the Sydney Sixer, 20, is making her way back from her own injury woes – back surgery for bulging discs.
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Both Vlaeminck and Campbell have been clocked over 120km/h … both are considered the Wild Things of Aussie women’s cricket … and both are currently in rehab.
“I think a few of us are already pushing those speeds and we are all looking for that competitive edge but I have also had to learn not to put too much pressure on myself,” Campbell said.
“Pace is a real weapon in the women’s game and it’s something that teams are looking for. I know I can bring that point of difference but through injury I also now know I have to be patient and build up.
“For me this season, I want to be pain free and bowl fast. We all want to bowl fast.”
In the words of Glenn McGrath, bowlers can be taught to be lethal but not fast.
“Pace is what makes you unique and you just need to work on control … that’s how you become a lethal bowler,” McGrath said.
“You should always try to bowl your quickest but work on your accuracy.”
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At 184cm, Campbell thinks she has finished growing.
After back surgery four months ago, she is only now back to her full run-up and is still working on load and building intensity ahead of this month’s WBBL season.
She has also taken part in Project130, a partnership between Cricket NSW and University of Technology Sydney (UTS) which is aiming to make the 130km/hr a realistic mark to reach and then maintain.
The project is striving to lift the women’s bowling average of 115km/h to 130km/h by looking at biomechanics, strength and power, and also bowling action.
While Vlaeminck, Campbell and Darcie Brown are among the fastest in the world, South Africa’s Shabnim Ismail is regarded as one of the quickest in the women’s game.
At the T20 World Cup in Melbourne two years ago, she was clocked at 126.7km/hr.
Campbell said: “I think more teams are looking for that X-factor and raw pace is pretty exciting for our game. I don’t know who of us will get their first but we will see the 130km/hr mark broken at some stage.”
Coverage of this year’s WBBL is part of Kayo’s commitment to women’s sport which features a record number of broadcast hours throughout September and October. The WBBL starts on October 13 and only KAYO Sports will have every WBBL match live and on demand.
Watch the Weber WBBL. Every game live and ad-break free during play on Fox Cricket, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
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