Stop Lee before 'someone dies'

[aussie1st]

By Jon Pierik in Christchurch
December 9, 2005

FORMER New Zealand wicketkeeper Adam Parore fears Brett Lee could kill a batsman unless measures are introduced to stop beam balls.

While Parore doesn't feel Lee tried to purposely hurt Brendon McCullum with a chest-high full toss in the penultimate over of Wednesday's two-run win against the Black Caps, the retired gloveman says enough is enough.

"I don't think he is doing it deliberately but he probably needs the ropes put on him," Parore said.

"It's a bit too regular.

"If he was unlucky, there is a very real possibility he could kill someone.

"If he gets through the [helmet] visor, he'll probably kill someone.

"I am bloody sure he wouldn't want to live with that."

The Black Caps feel Lee has now speared five beamers at their batsmen in the past year, with McCullum on the receiving end three times.

Parore, who played 78 Tests and 179 one-day internationals before retiring in 2002, says bowlers should be given one warning per series and be suspended if they infringe again.

"Nobody thinks he is doing it deliberately but, at the end of the day, you can't keep bowling it," he said.

"He doesn't need to bowl a flat one, he scares the crap out of you with the other one [a bouncer].

"I am not sure what the process would be but guys could get one [beam] ball per series and after that you miss a game.

"Maybe that might make him ease back a little bit and stay within those boundaries.

"If he keeps going hammer and tong, then he runs the risk that he might miss a game.

"At the end of the day that will be his choice based on circumstances."

While bouncers are considered a key part of cricket, beamers are not tolerated because they are unexpected - and potentially lethal - deliveries.

Parore's comments came after Lee flew home to Sydney early yesterday morning and will miss tomorrow's final Chappell-Hadlee match because of a blocked left nasal passage.

He will visit specialists today and is hopeful of playing in next week's first Test against South Africa.

Lee and his management weren't talking publicly yesterday, but it's understood they are livid with any suggestions the blond quick deliberately bowls full tosses.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting and teammates Mick Lewis and Matthew Hayden have rallied around the spearhead, saying the greasy conditions at Westpac Stadium made it difficult to grip the ball.

"Anyone that knows Brett would know there is no way he would ever attempt to do anything like that," Ponting said.

Fast bowler Lewis, who made his one-day international debut on Wednesday, also defended Lee.

"The ball was like a piece of soap and it's hard for a bowler when it's that slippery to really grip the ball," he said.

"If you are trying to hurl it down as fast as you can sometimes like he does, it only has to slip half an inch and the ball could go anywhere."

Kiwi captain Daniel Vettori has said he felt the beamer had been an accident.

The controversy first erupted on Australia's tour of New Zealand earlier this year when Lee served up a waist-high full toss to McCullum at Eden Park.

Kiwi coach John Bracewell hopped into Lee after that, suggesting the full toss had been deliberate and the speedster would face legal action if he hurt a batsman.

Queensland left-arm quick Mitchell Johnson, 24, was due to arrive in Christchurch last night as Lee's replacement.

Herald Sun

http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,17505472-38259,00.html

This is a tough one. Lee didn't do this on purpose but his record with beam balls isn't great. I don't know how much a ban would do for him as it's still bound to happen. But we do need to find a way for Lee to stop bowling these as Bracewell is right, he could face legal action if someone gets hurt. And of the extreme case being Lee killing someone as Paroe states.

 

[Adarsh]

He might not kill someone, but it still hurts a hell of a lot. International bowlers must have enough control to not bowl beamers. Shoaib too does it some times, but Lee does it once every one or two series, which is shocking.

 

[BigCrickNan]

Maybe the ICC could provide balls with better grip? Who knows?

Parore made a good point there, but he probably wouldn't kill someone.

 

[jazz]

i have to agree with Adam Parore. why does brett lee bowl beamers to new zealand batsman?

he done it earlier this year in new zealand and his done it again now in the chappel hadlee series

 

[aussie1st]

Maybe the ICC could provide balls with better grip? Who knows?

Parore made a good point there, but he probably wouldn't kill someone.

I agree I can't see Lee killing someone with all the protective gear we have.
I don't think a better gripping ball would make much difference. If Lee is sweaty its always going to be hard to grip the ball. Plus it's only him whose doing this so it wouldn't be economical to change the ball just for him.

 

[ZexyZahid]

Parore has some point though. Bouncers are for some batsmen troublesome, but beamers are worse. And I know someone who already died because of a cricketball (who got it in his head), so the possibility of dying because of this is slim, but realistic.

 

[sohum]

I think Parore's suggestion is apt. Bowlers should not have any problem against it because they are supposed be bowling 0 beamers per series, in this case they get one warning.

 

[aussie1st]

i have to agree with Adam Parore. why does brett lee bowl beamers to new zealand batsman?

he done it earlier this year in new zealand and his done it again now in the chappel hadlee series

Its cause NZ are the only ones that have put pressure on him. The one last year to McCullum was also due to pressure. As I've said Lee is very risky as a death bowler. This here back that point up.

 

[jazz]

yeh but lee has bowled alot of dangerous beamers this year.

couple against us earlier this year
couple in the ashes
and now 1 so far i saw in the chappel hadlee series.

remember micahel papps and that massive bump he got from lee earlier this year

 

[aussie1st]

yeh but lee has bowled alot of dangerous beamers this year.

couple against us earlier this year
couple in the ashes
and now 1 so far i saw in the chappel hadlee series.

remember micahel papps and that massive bump he got from lee earlier this year

As I said above "pressure" is why its happening.

I sure do remember Papps that was an ugly looking incident and that was from a bouncer.

 

[jazz]

As I said above "pressure" is why its happening.

I sure do remember Papps that was an ugly looking incident and that was from a bouncer.

oh yeh sorry i forgot that

but he still bowled nasty beamers in that series

but im pretty sure his is class enough to control his beamers

 

[Adarsh]

As I've said Lee is very risky as a death bowler.

Uncanny pun :cool:

 

[aussie1st]

oh yeh sorry i forgot that

but he still bowled nasty beamers in that series

but im pretty sure his is class enough to control his beamers

The one we saw on Wed was nothing to what we saw in the series last year. Now that was a beam ball. His recent one wasn't as dangerous more a hig full toss than a beamer.

He certainly doesn't try to bowl beamers but some how they come out like that. So I don't believe he can control these.

Uncanny pun :cool:

:laugh I have that knack at producing puns from out of nowhere.

 

[sohum]

Lol.
Being under pressure doesn't justify bowling beamers.

If you can't control your own pace you've got to slow down a bit. You can't keep flouting the rules and saying you can't control it. No one is telling you to run down and chuck the ball as fast as possible. If you want to, make sure you do it within the rules that are set.

 

[jazz]

Lol.
Being under pressure doesn't justify bowling beamers.

If you can't control your own pace you've got to slow down a bit. You can't keep flouting the rules and saying you can't control it. No one is telling you to run down and chuck the ball as fast as possible. If you want to, make sure you do it within the rules that are set.

exactly

you dont see fast bowlers like akthar and bond bowling beamers

and you cant say lee is too fast and cant control his pace