Harsh Thakor
First Class Star
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2012
- Runs
- 3,518
- Post of the Week
- 2
In this list I am ranking in order of merit the best pace bowlers of all time in order of merit combing test cricket with One day Internationals equally-50%.
1.Wasim Akram
Took wizardry to regions unexplored in the manner of a magician.No paceman was ever as versatile or creative as Wasim who took art of reverse swing to depths of divinty.With proper support from the fielders could have had 1000 International scalps.In peak period from 1990-98 in terms of bowling average overshadowed Waqar,Donald and Ambrose and had a greater percentage of wickets in test wins than Imran.Nobody came close to Wasim's 502 scalps in ODI's which included prize scalps in the 1992 world cup final and in the 1997 triangular series in Australia.Mcgrath won many more tests but played for a much better side. On flat tracks Wasim to me was above everyone.I feel Overall Wasim was the more penetrative or lethal bowler than Mcgrath ,who could make more crucial break throughs.Wasim unlike Mcgrath and Ambrose, did not have an 8 wicket haul but had more 10 wicket hauls in tests and more 5 wicket hauls in ratio to tests.Playing in similar or unhelpful conditions Wasim would overshadow and arguably turn the course of matches more than Mcgrath.
2.Glen Mcgrath
The most intelligent paceman ever who blended every ingredient of a fast bowler in perfect proportion.No paceman posessed more control or could judge a batsmen's weaknesses so clinically.Even if he lacked genuine pace he could be more lethal than the quickest with his nagging length in the corridor.Wasim swung the ball more and Ambrose could be even more relentless bt both could not equal Glen as a metronome.Unlike Marshall Mcgrath was brilliant in ODI's,particularly as a first change bowler.In tests no paceman ever came close to his staggering haul of 563 scalps.Played in 84 tests won by his country which is remarkable and was one of the architects of era of world cup victories.Although statistically the greatest did not equal Wasim's falir to make breakthroughs in both forms of the game and benefited for being part of such a strong unit.
3.Alan Donald
Took pace bowling mastery to heights few ever did blending speed of lightning with subtle variations.At full throttle more of a terror than even Steyn.I can never forget his bowling in England in 1998 when he had 33 scalps nor his spell v Australia in the 1st final of the triangular tournament which won game pulling of a Houdini act.Averaged around 21 in ODI's capturing 4 or more wickets 11 times.In tests had a remarkable strike rate of 47 balls per wicket at an avergae of 22.25.Rated above Steyn because he averaged 4 runs less at around 21 and had 7 more 4or more wicket hauls in ODI's.272 ODI scalps was not a mean feat nor strike rate of 31.6.In terms of bowling average and strike rate ahead of Wasim ,but had far fewer scalps.
4..Richard Hadlee
Statistically the best paceman ever if you combine average ,with wickets per test and no of 5 and 10 wicket hauls.Bore the brunt of one of the weakest bowling attacks and yet at his peak captured 330 scalps in 60 tests from 1978-88.On a green top the best of all ,who bar Mcgrath had more control than any fast bowler ever.Arguably the equal of Mcgrath in test cricket posessing greater speed and more movement.In ODI's as lethal as anybody,particularly in initial overs with most economical avergae and economy rate.Although not as attacking more economical than Lillee and more clinical in ODI's ,so rate above him.
5.Dennis Lillee
Classically the most complete of all pace bowlers,revealing ferocity and agression as no pacemen ever did.A great match-winner who could master even docile surfaces like at the Oval in 1972 and Melbourne in 1979-80.Morally had 460 test scalps if you include his wickets in Kerry Packer supertests from 1977-79 and in games against rest of the world in 1972.In ODI's at his best gave some startling performances and was very economical. Averaged less than 21 in ODI's which was praiseworthy.
6.Joel Garner
With Ambrose the most accurate of all fast bowlers and only 2nd to Wasim in ODI's.No bowler had as good a yorker or could make ball lift as disconcertingly from a good length in his day,than Joel.For a time in the 1980'she was a more daunting proposition than any paceman.Phenomenal test average of 20.97 and unfortunately rarely got a chance to open with the new ball.In ODI's averaged around 18 which was phenomenal.In term sof pure combined average the best of all paceman,averaging around 18 in ODI's.Not such an impressive strike rtae in both form sof cricket.
7.Waqar Younus
The faster bowler of his era and best exponent of the yorker.Best strike rate in tests of anyone of 43.7 in his day .Phenomenal 416 scalps in ODI's with 23 ,4-wicket hauls.
8.Dale Steyn
No paceman bowled a fuller length or was faster in his day ,or who was a better exponent of the oustwinger.Similar to Marshall.but did not have as deadly an inswinger.At his best on flat subcontinent tacks,with mastery of reverse swing .oustanding strike rate n both forms of the game.
9.Curtly Ambrose
The most accurate of all and the best on a broken wicket,particularly in a 4th innings.Ambrose took hostility to its crescendo like none in his era,and was more relentless than anyone.Noone was his equal in defending 4th innings targets as he showed against England at Trinidad in 1994 and at Barbados v South Africa in 1992 .At Pert in 1992-93 his 7-22 was arguably the best ever bowling spell on a fast track .Relatively not an outstanding strike rate because of lack of support in tests and not as economical in ODI's.
10.Malcolm Marshall
The most complete pace bowler ever even if not the most classical or quickest .Did not swing the ball so much but mastered art of swerve and skidding bounce which virtually made it unreadable for the batsmen to judge.Disguised seam movement better than anyone.In test cricket the best of them all with his 20.94 average and strike rate of 46.7 ,outclassing giants who comprised his attack like Garner,Holding and Roberts.Not at his best in ODI's averaging around 26 and at times expensive in crucial games,particularly down under.
11.Imran Khan
The pioneer of reverse swing who statistically in tset cricket ranks amongst the best 4 best fast bowlers ever.Posessed almost the same level of agression and determination as Lillee,with speed close to Jeff Thomson at his fastest.Captured 7 or more wickets 5 times and averaged around 13 in games won,which was remarkable.Responsible for Pakistan winning their first test series in England and in the moral sense their first in West Indies in 1988,when dubious umpiring robbed them of the prestige.In ODI's at his best in 1987 world cup with 17 scalps and also at Sharjah in 1985 when taking six wickets for 12 runs.Like marshall,relatively expensive and not as effective in ODI's.
12.Andy Roberts
The closest to Lillee classically,having two bouncers of different speeds,an oustwinger,off-cutter and slower ball.The father figure of the great Carribean pace quartet.At one time achieved 100 wickets in fastest time ever and till 1977 averaged around 23.on flat tracks in India singlehandedly spearheaded the attack taking 32 wickets.Most succesful Calypso bowler in WSC supertests with 50 scalps.Inspite of aging best West Indies bowler in 1983 prudential cup and v India in home series in 1983.Bowled some of the best spell sin ODI games like against England in 1979-80 in Australia and in a WSC supertest in 1978.More economical average on ODI's than Marshal or Holding and better strike rate.
Even if not as good strike rate and avergae I feel morally it was Wasim who was more impactful overall than Mcgrath and also considered the poor support he received in the field.
I have ranked Joel Garner ahead of Marshall,Imran Ambrose and Steyn because of staggering stats in ODI's and phenomenal bowling tset average .Marshall is at 10 because I feel Lillee,Hadlee Donald,Steyn,Waqar etc were significantly better in ODI's.Donald ahead of Steyn because of comparative ODI performances.
1.Wasim Akram
Took wizardry to regions unexplored in the manner of a magician.No paceman was ever as versatile or creative as Wasim who took art of reverse swing to depths of divinty.With proper support from the fielders could have had 1000 International scalps.In peak period from 1990-98 in terms of bowling average overshadowed Waqar,Donald and Ambrose and had a greater percentage of wickets in test wins than Imran.Nobody came close to Wasim's 502 scalps in ODI's which included prize scalps in the 1992 world cup final and in the 1997 triangular series in Australia.Mcgrath won many more tests but played for a much better side. On flat tracks Wasim to me was above everyone.I feel Overall Wasim was the more penetrative or lethal bowler than Mcgrath ,who could make more crucial break throughs.Wasim unlike Mcgrath and Ambrose, did not have an 8 wicket haul but had more 10 wicket hauls in tests and more 5 wicket hauls in ratio to tests.Playing in similar or unhelpful conditions Wasim would overshadow and arguably turn the course of matches more than Mcgrath.
2.Glen Mcgrath
The most intelligent paceman ever who blended every ingredient of a fast bowler in perfect proportion.No paceman posessed more control or could judge a batsmen's weaknesses so clinically.Even if he lacked genuine pace he could be more lethal than the quickest with his nagging length in the corridor.Wasim swung the ball more and Ambrose could be even more relentless bt both could not equal Glen as a metronome.Unlike Marshall Mcgrath was brilliant in ODI's,particularly as a first change bowler.In tests no paceman ever came close to his staggering haul of 563 scalps.Played in 84 tests won by his country which is remarkable and was one of the architects of era of world cup victories.Although statistically the greatest did not equal Wasim's falir to make breakthroughs in both forms of the game and benefited for being part of such a strong unit.
3.Alan Donald
Took pace bowling mastery to heights few ever did blending speed of lightning with subtle variations.At full throttle more of a terror than even Steyn.I can never forget his bowling in England in 1998 when he had 33 scalps nor his spell v Australia in the 1st final of the triangular tournament which won game pulling of a Houdini act.Averaged around 21 in ODI's capturing 4 or more wickets 11 times.In tests had a remarkable strike rate of 47 balls per wicket at an avergae of 22.25.Rated above Steyn because he averaged 4 runs less at around 21 and had 7 more 4or more wicket hauls in ODI's.272 ODI scalps was not a mean feat nor strike rate of 31.6.In terms of bowling average and strike rate ahead of Wasim ,but had far fewer scalps.
4..Richard Hadlee
Statistically the best paceman ever if you combine average ,with wickets per test and no of 5 and 10 wicket hauls.Bore the brunt of one of the weakest bowling attacks and yet at his peak captured 330 scalps in 60 tests from 1978-88.On a green top the best of all ,who bar Mcgrath had more control than any fast bowler ever.Arguably the equal of Mcgrath in test cricket posessing greater speed and more movement.In ODI's as lethal as anybody,particularly in initial overs with most economical avergae and economy rate.Although not as attacking more economical than Lillee and more clinical in ODI's ,so rate above him.
5.Dennis Lillee
Classically the most complete of all pace bowlers,revealing ferocity and agression as no pacemen ever did.A great match-winner who could master even docile surfaces like at the Oval in 1972 and Melbourne in 1979-80.Morally had 460 test scalps if you include his wickets in Kerry Packer supertests from 1977-79 and in games against rest of the world in 1972.In ODI's at his best gave some startling performances and was very economical. Averaged less than 21 in ODI's which was praiseworthy.
6.Joel Garner
With Ambrose the most accurate of all fast bowlers and only 2nd to Wasim in ODI's.No bowler had as good a yorker or could make ball lift as disconcertingly from a good length in his day,than Joel.For a time in the 1980'she was a more daunting proposition than any paceman.Phenomenal test average of 20.97 and unfortunately rarely got a chance to open with the new ball.In ODI's averaged around 18 which was phenomenal.In term sof pure combined average the best of all paceman,averaging around 18 in ODI's.Not such an impressive strike rtae in both form sof cricket.
7.Waqar Younus
The faster bowler of his era and best exponent of the yorker.Best strike rate in tests of anyone of 43.7 in his day .Phenomenal 416 scalps in ODI's with 23 ,4-wicket hauls.
8.Dale Steyn
No paceman bowled a fuller length or was faster in his day ,or who was a better exponent of the oustwinger.Similar to Marshall.but did not have as deadly an inswinger.At his best on flat subcontinent tacks,with mastery of reverse swing .oustanding strike rate n both forms of the game.
9.Curtly Ambrose
The most accurate of all and the best on a broken wicket,particularly in a 4th innings.Ambrose took hostility to its crescendo like none in his era,and was more relentless than anyone.Noone was his equal in defending 4th innings targets as he showed against England at Trinidad in 1994 and at Barbados v South Africa in 1992 .At Pert in 1992-93 his 7-22 was arguably the best ever bowling spell on a fast track .Relatively not an outstanding strike rate because of lack of support in tests and not as economical in ODI's.
10.Malcolm Marshall
The most complete pace bowler ever even if not the most classical or quickest .Did not swing the ball so much but mastered art of swerve and skidding bounce which virtually made it unreadable for the batsmen to judge.Disguised seam movement better than anyone.In test cricket the best of them all with his 20.94 average and strike rate of 46.7 ,outclassing giants who comprised his attack like Garner,Holding and Roberts.Not at his best in ODI's averaging around 26 and at times expensive in crucial games,particularly down under.
11.Imran Khan
The pioneer of reverse swing who statistically in tset cricket ranks amongst the best 4 best fast bowlers ever.Posessed almost the same level of agression and determination as Lillee,with speed close to Jeff Thomson at his fastest.Captured 7 or more wickets 5 times and averaged around 13 in games won,which was remarkable.Responsible for Pakistan winning their first test series in England and in the moral sense their first in West Indies in 1988,when dubious umpiring robbed them of the prestige.In ODI's at his best in 1987 world cup with 17 scalps and also at Sharjah in 1985 when taking six wickets for 12 runs.Like marshall,relatively expensive and not as effective in ODI's.
12.Andy Roberts
The closest to Lillee classically,having two bouncers of different speeds,an oustwinger,off-cutter and slower ball.The father figure of the great Carribean pace quartet.At one time achieved 100 wickets in fastest time ever and till 1977 averaged around 23.on flat tracks in India singlehandedly spearheaded the attack taking 32 wickets.Most succesful Calypso bowler in WSC supertests with 50 scalps.Inspite of aging best West Indies bowler in 1983 prudential cup and v India in home series in 1983.Bowled some of the best spell sin ODI games like against England in 1979-80 in Australia and in a WSC supertest in 1978.More economical average on ODI's than Marshal or Holding and better strike rate.
Even if not as good strike rate and avergae I feel morally it was Wasim who was more impactful overall than Mcgrath and also considered the poor support he received in the field.
I have ranked Joel Garner ahead of Marshall,Imran Ambrose and Steyn because of staggering stats in ODI's and phenomenal bowling tset average .Marshall is at 10 because I feel Lillee,Hadlee Donald,Steyn,Waqar etc were significantly better in ODI's.Donald ahead of Steyn because of comparative ODI performances.
