But sweep is not the best way to play spin to begin with. It was a technique deployed by the South Africans in the 90s to counter spin but the Asian batsmen never needed it. They were just very good with playing spin using their feet which is the right text book method. You dance down to the pitch and don’t allow the ball to turn. But you do that only when the ball is flighted. If it’s flatter and faster you can’t come down the track. It’s hard to make contact or keep the shot down.
Good conventional spin bowling is all about flight (and that includes pitching the ball with flight in the right area) and slowing it down. When you slow it down, you get more spin. But it means you are also giving the batsman more time to adjust. Which is why spinners who employed the proper technique more often and more consistently are applauded because they are brave and are not scared of being hit in order to create more opportunities to get a wicket. I think this is the part of classical spin bowling that is vanishing with LOI cricket and because of that the batsmen today are also starting to forget how to play it properly which is what we are witnessing with the Asian batsmen.
1. Sweep is a weapon like bouncer. Use it well and you can reap rewards from other methods.
A couple of well directed bouncers would helpnyou get an edge of a simple fuller length delivery.
Same way, sweep can put bowlers off length and help you tackle them easily.
If its your only weapon like how some westeners use it.... Then you are doomed.
The fact that modern day bats dont use sweep is a hugeeeeee handicap.
Thats like a bowler without a solid bouncer. He can still succeed but its so much harder.
See how our old era played spin. They would use their feet nornally but at the same time sweep and destroy your rhythm too.
2. Conventional spin is all about flight. But its not just about bowling slow but to impart revs on the ball.
More revs = more dip and turn
Modern day loi doesnt reward such bowlers.
Today batsman may struggle against spinners who dip but if they miss the length, the ball will land on the roof.
Even in tests, bowlers missing their length will be brutally punished.
It will be interesting to see if such spinners emerge. Its not only about fear but also skill.
Such type of bowling requires supreme mastery and doing it for 30 overs a day against modern bats is hard.
Not saying it cant be done but that its a really tough art.