The creed of Rampaging Roy Slaven and Dr H. G. Nelson has one basic tenet: too much sport is barely enough. In those long hot summers of Australian childhood three, four or five decades ago, it would have been regarded as heresy should anyone have suggested that there could be too much cricket.
The plight of the Australian team currently touring India suggests, however, that the unthinkable has now become a reality. The commercial necessity to play many pointless matches has taken the sting from our fast bowlers and might even have devalued the privilege of wearing the 'baggy green'.
Captain Ricky Ponting has been quick to deny any talk of a falling out with chief 'quick' Brett Lee. Apparently, there was a moment in the recent test when Lee believed he should have been thrown the ball, but really, that is a given for any quick. Fast bowlers are traditionally a volatile breed. Most have a temperament ready to erupt should things not go their way.
They are after all, strike bowlers used in explosive bursts and thrive on confrontation and intimidation. A few exceptional fast bowlers have been mild mannered and unflappable, but most have had quick tempers even towards their own team-mates.
Fast bowlers put such energy and self-belief into their bowling that they expect a wicket with every ball. Unless physically exhausted, this attitude makes them reluctant to accept that anyone else should ever be thrown the ball, except to hold up the other end, and some probably think they should bowl from both ends if the laws permitted.
The handling of the pace attack might well be the real test of captaincy skills. Spinners have always had a great say in the setting of their fields, but captains tend to think they know best when the quicks are on. It is reasonable that the skipper should want to stamp his or her authority on the game in that first over when the pitch is at its greenest, the ball its reddest and the creams their whitest. The relationship between captain and fast bowler adds to the air of anticipation and keeps everyone alert.
Occasionally the tension can become negative. There was an alleged incident between Allan Border and Craig McDermott when the dour skipper reminded the red-headed speedster just who captained the Australian side, and there was talk of someone having to pack his bags