Why do cricketers not perform at the same level as footballers during twilight of their careers?

Cricket and football are two of the most popular sports in the world. While football fans can be found in impressive numbers all around the globe, cricket fans are predominantly found in Asia.

Especially in South Asia, cricket is like a religion. The duration of a game of cricket, played in the shortest format – T20, is about three hours. Meanwhile, football is played in two halves of 45 minutes each, with a 15-minute break in between them. The shorter time span and less complicated rules are some of the reasons behind football’s massive craze. However, the reintroduction of cricket in the Olympics in 2028 is going to help the sport reach a wider audience.

Most of the time, cricketers tend to have longer careers than footballers, mainly because of the physical demands of the game of football. However, there are some reasons why cricketers are not as successful as footballers in the twilight of their careers. CricTracker lists some of them below:

3. Decreased hand-eye coordination

Hand-eye coordination plays a major role in the game of cricket. Batting against pacers bowling at over 140 kph isn’t an easy task. A 140 kph delivery reaches the batter in about 0.5 seconds (depending on the surface and the bowler’s release point). The batter has to pick the length, judge the line, decide whether to play or leave, choose the apt shot if he decides to play, and finally, execute it. All this has to be done in 0.5 seconds. As most cricketers reach the fag end of their careers, their hand-eye coordination goes down considerably. This makes it hard for them to continue batting as well as they used to in the younger days.

2. Inability to switch roles

As footballers get older, they can switch roles. For example, a winger might be able to transition into a central midfielder towards the twilight of his career. A side back may start playing as a center back, where not as much running is required. They also have the option to learn to play in two or three positions from the early days in their careers, and this can help them climb up in the pecking order. Teams love to add versatile players to their lineup, and this is where players who know how to play in more than one position can thrive. However, the same cannot be said about cricket. For example, a fast bowler can’t start bowling spin all of a sudden and expect to have the same impact.

1. Multiple injuries for fast bowlers with age

Fast bowling is a difficult trade because it requires a unique combination of physical strength, technical skill, and mental toughness. The run-up, the jump, and the delivery put a great deal of stress on the body, especially the knees, ankles, lower back, and shoulders. Injuries like stress fractures, hamstring pulls, and shoulder issues are common in the life of a pacer. Footballers also suffer multiple injuries during their careers. After all, football, unlike cricket, is a body contact sport. However, the different aspects of fast bowling make seamers very susceptible to injuries.

Disclaimer: This latest news is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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