Akhtar urges Tait not to be obsessed with speed against India
March 23rd, 2011 - 12:43 pm ICT by ANI
Melbourne, Mar 23 (ANI): Pakistan’s fastest bowler Shoaib Akhtar has urged Australian pacer Shaun Tait not to be obsessed with the speed gun as he prepares to attack India openers, Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag.
Australia are again banking on pace trio Tait, Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson to rip through India’s top order in the quarter-final at the Sardar Patel Stadium on Thursday.
Tait is the quickest Australian in history, delivering a 161.1km/h ball against England in 2010, The Daily Telegraph reports.
But Akhtar, who sent down the fastest ball ever at 161.3km/h at the 2003 World Cup, fears Tait faces a career-ending breakdown if he continues with his approach.
“Shaun has broken down quite a few times in the past few years. He should get the message from his body,” said Akhtar.
“Tait should not worry about getting to 160 (km/h) or else he will keep getting injured. He will keep breaking down and I think he should concentrate on getting some swing and bowling well,” he said.
“When you are young, bowling fast is great fun, but keeping up to that level and that pace, you can’t stay fit for long. You just can’t. Shaun Tait must be careful, he is still young, his action does not support his body,” Akhtar added. (ANI)
- Tait is Australian cricket's new Thommo, claims Hogg - Feb 07, 2010
- Tait can break Akhtar's fastest delivery record: Pybus - Jul 06, 2010
- Tait gunning for Akhtar's 161.3kmh fastest ball record - Feb 06, 2010
- Tait hopes wind can help him record fastest ball against Kiwis - Feb 25, 2010
- Lee backs Aussie fast bowlers to dominate World Cup campaign - Feb 06, 2011
- Lawson cast doubts over accuracy of speed guns - Feb 07, 2010
- Fidel Edwards aiming to be fastest bowler on earth - Dec 18, 2011
- Aussies set to unleash Lee, Tait in opening Twenty20 against England - Jan 09, 2011
- Rajasthan Royals' Shaun Tait bowls fastest ball in India - Apr 12, 2011
- Lee lauds Australia's latest pace sensation Pattinson - Dec 31, 2011
- Confident Brett Lee defends pace-dominated Oz attack for World Cup - Feb 19, 2011
- Chappell, Waugh describe Brett Lee's comeback as Australia's World Cup inspiration - Feb 05, 2011
- Ponting encourages Tait to make a Test comeback - Jul 02, 2010
- Twenty20 is the way destructive bowler Tait is heading towards - Feb 23, 2010
- Shoaib Akhtar's autobiography to reveal the inside story - Aug 13, 2011
Tags: 1km, bowling, brett lee, daily telegraph, fastest bowler, fears, India, melbourne, mitchell johnson, pace, pacer, pakistan, sardar patel stadium, shaun tait, speed gun, swing, telegraph reports, tendulkar, virender sehwag, world cup