Why are cricketers even taking PEDs?

[MenInG]

Don't quite get it.

This is not an "athletic" sport.

The physical demands are there but nothing which simple fitness regimes cant handle.

Then where is the pressure for PEDs coming from?

Are T20 Leagues and plethora of cricket (read money) tournaments the reason?

 

[Chrish]

Increases stamina, endurance and ability to heal from the injury

PED use would be significant especially for the bowlers whose jobs are far more physically demanding

 

[Ilan Bluestone]

Increases stamina, endurance and ability to heal from the injury

PED use would be significant especially for the bowlers whose jobs are far more physically demanding

This. People think PED's mean strength but look at Lance Armstrong.

 

[MenInG]

Increases stamina, endurance and ability to heal from the injury

PED use would be significant especially for the bowlers whose jobs are far more physically demanding

But surely they had the same demands before? Or is it the case that no one could tell in the old days if someone was taking PEDs?

 

[Chrish]

But surely they had the same demands before? Or is it the case that no one could tell in the old days if someone was taking PEDs?

There was no T20 or IPL few years ago.. Players today play far more Cricket than ever before which in tern significantly increases fitness requirements. They have to keep up with three formats rather than two (or even 4th one in case of IPL). So you are right in saying too much Cricket and hope to cash in would be the biggest temptation.

Also testing technology keeps constantly upgraded. So I wouldn't be surprised if some of current Olympic winners for example are found guilty few years down the road. Although I have a gut feeling that Cricket testing standards aren't as strict or advanced as compared to Olympics.

 

[Convict]

Injury Recovery

 

[Convict]

But surely they had the same demands before? Or is it the case that no one could tell in the old days if someone was taking PEDs?

Back when lets say Steve Waugh made his debut eating a big mac was considered semi healthy because it had lettuce.

Cricket wasn't professional enough and there wasn't enough money in it until recently for it to be an issue, plus as you say unlike lets say sprinting there wasn't as much as an obvious benefit.
So when the money doesn't fully justify it, and the professionalism is there and the benefits are dubious why bother.

For some like Russell a long term injury could cost him well over a million a year in contracts due to T20 leagues.
The incentive to try and recover quicker is there.

 

[Buffet]

To recover quickly from injury.

 

[RehanG]

To recover quickly from injury.

it should be allowed to use them.. incase ur injured

 

[Chrish]

Can't see how one can say there are no obvious benefits..

For batsmen it would increase power and stamina. Many of their strokes would go for sixes instead of getting caught at the boundary. Also they can bat for a longer period of time by limiting tiredness.

Same thing with bowlers. Limiting injury is the biggest bonus.

Why would Warne get caught while suffering from injury right before the WC? Timing says it all.

 

[Abdul]

Just trying to become chavs!

 

[MABA]

Don't quite get it.

This is not an "athletic" sport.

The physical demands are there but nothing which simple fitness regimes cant handle.

Then where is the pressure for PEDs coming from?

Are T20 Leagues and plethora of cricket (read money) tournaments the reason?

Same reason why Baseball has such a steroid problem, and it could argued baseball might require less "athleticism" than cricket. The game is changing and you cannot say that cricket is a sport where athleticism is not required. You can clearly separate teams with great athletes and teams without.

 

[Chrish]

LOL at baseball requiring less athleticism

Hitting home run is probably 10 times more difficult than hitting the six !!