It's a hard life being a bowler. It is especially so these days because pitches are flatter, boundaries are shorter, and bats are bigger. Changes in the white ball versions of the game power plays and free hits, for example -- have all been to feed and fatten the sheltered batsman, while restricting the diet of the deprived bowler. As a result, averages have climbed higher and run-rates have improved. Yes, cricket is becoming even more of a batsman's game.
