Sport, especially professional sport, is predicated on unpredictability and a contest between defence and offence. Fans, who ultimately pay the salaries and bills don't want to know who will make runs or take wickets before the event. They want their heroes to perform and their teams to be successful but there is a converse to each of those wishes. The supporters want their heroes to be exceptional, they can bowl at 145km/h and they can play the hook stroke off 145km/h.
When I suggested that if the gimmick rule-makers of the game truly wanted a meaningful powerplay then the bowling team could nominate certain overs where helmets had to be removed. This was not even considered humorous by current batsmen – they cannot conceive of facing anything above medium-slow bowlers without a helmet, yet concussions abound.I have consulted some well credentialed batting coaches who compared the combatting of fast bowling in the 1970s through to 2020.
Harry Conway was treated to a short-ball barrage coming in at No.11 for Australia A earlier this month - treatment usually reserved for batsmen.The intimidatory law still exists in the procedures of the game but enforcement is non existent. The barrage at Harry Conway resulting in the second concussion replacement in the Australia A v India game should have been halted.