Can you bowl a bouncer on a good length if you are genuinely express like Thommo?

Question

Ian Chappell always maintained Thommo was so dangerous because he could bowl a bouncer on a good length. He, claims mind you, who really knows, umpires were always warning Thommo about intimidatory bowling even though he was bowling on a good length. As a captain he had to step in and say that was not the laws of cricket - it was just Thommo was a freak. I saw some old footage of Thommo and sure enough he was able to get the ball to rear off a good length. They were very dangerous but were they actually bouncers?

Update:

Indeed, even Thommo at his pace could not do it on the unresponsive pitches in say India. Thommo always considered Marshall the greatest fast bowler of them all because it didn't matter what wicket he bowled on - both Lillie and Thommo never did well in India - Marshall did.

Rohan · Accepted Answer

Let me put it this way: you can get the ball to bounce off a good length, yes, on bouncy pitches. The bowler can be quick, but if the underneath layer of the pitch is not firm, the ball is unlikely to get up after pitching.

Pace in harness with a near-rock-hard pitch is necessary.

Bill P · Answer

Obviously Thommo never bowled well in India in fact he has not been to India with the test team. For that matter, Lillee has not been to India either. Stupid comment.

Bronko Bust · Answer

I think it depends on the pitch and the height of the bowler, or in other circumstances the wingspan of the fast bowler ie arm length ..And also a strong wrist Iv heard peole say Yadav can get unexpected bounce because hes  got a strong wrist

sabuj · Answer

no

Anonymous · Answer

"both Lillie and Thommo never did well in India - Marshall did?"
Lillie or Thommo never played even one single match in India - but yes Marshall did very well there.

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Can you bowl a bouncer on a good length if you are genuinely express like Thommo?

5 Answers