Alan Davidson scoffs at CA policy of 'wrapping Oz fast bowlers in cotton wool'

Australian Test legend Alan Davidson has scoffed at Cricket Australia's (CA) 'rest-and-rotation' policy wrapping fast bowlers in cotton-wool, saying that if a player wants to become a great bowler, then it is necessary for him to bowl.

The 84-year-old Davidson, who played in the first tied Test against West Indies at Brisbane in 1960, would be playing in a charity Twenty20 match on Sunday.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Davidson said that the Australian cricket administrators need to be aware of the fact that there are certain fundamentals that do not ever change in the game, adding that players, especially bowlers, should not be wrapped up in cotton wool.

Davidson further said that had CA's policy to rest players been in vogue in 1960, he and the Richie Benaud-captained team would have been penalised, adding that he would not gone far in his career if he had taken 11 wickets and scored 124 runs and then had to rest due to an injury, under the present system.

Branding the approach as 'ridiculous' and 'nonsensical', Davidson also said that it is a disappointing fact that administrators listen to the professors, the psychiatrist, the psychologist, the trainer and the dietician, instead of asking the fast bowlers what they want, adding that CA should bring in staff that actually know the rudiments of bowling.

Davidson also said that former Australian player Dennis Lillee 'hit the nail on the head' recently when he said that the only way to learn to bowl is by bowling.