Best bowler to play less than 30 tests

[Ab Fan]

Who impressed you the most with the bowl among those who ended up playing less than 30 tests?

Some obvious names - Shane Bond, Ryan Harris, Mohammad Asif.

Greatest would be Sydney Barnes probably. But among those you watched, who was the best in Test cricket?

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[Kianig89]

Kyle Abbott ??

 

[sithb]

Shane Bond , Ryan Harris & Asif.

The three I agree with fully. Asif especially as he had the tools and the repeatable action to have a 90-100 test career.

Bond's action took too much of a toll on his body and Harris came into the scene too late to play substantial tests. Asif had everything to be taking 400+ wickets in test cricket and threw it down the drain

 

[sithb]

Yesteryear names probably would have played a lot more than 30 tests had they been playing now. Names like Colin Croft , Syd Barnes etc. Croft didn't play those many matches because there were better bowlers than him for the windies lineup.

In principles of fairness , I think we need to be looking at 90s and onwards.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Fanie de villiers.

One on my most favourite bowlers.

 

[sithb]

Fanie de villiers.

One on my most favourite bowlers.

And again a chunk of his career was lost due to apartheid.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Not the best but indian domestic legend only got to play 1 test match despite having 504 wickets at 22.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Back in the day Shabbir ahmed was real good but had a shady action so got banned. Played only ten test matches.

 

[Ab Fan]

Yesteryear names probably would have played a lot more than 30 tests had they been playing now. Names like Colin Croft , Syd Barnes etc. Croft didn't play those many matches because there were better bowlers than him for the windies lineup.

In principles of fairness , I think we need to be looking at 90s and onwards.

Yeah but feel free to point out names that somehow aren’t talked much from 70s,80s or 90s due to not playing enough tests but had quality.

 

[sithb]

Not the best but indian domestic legend only got to play 1 test match despite having 504 wickets at 22.

History is full of those. For example , there was badrinath who came into the reckoning as well. His only fault was that he peaked when the likes of Dravid , Tendulkar etc were still playing.

Same goes for Australia with Hodge. West Indies when they kept developing pacers in their prime.

 

[JibranAnsari]

If we look at the modern day, i think shane bond followed by mohammad asif and kyle abbot.

 

[sithb]

If we look at the modern day, i think shane bond followed by mohammad asif and kyle abbot.

Asif first. He would have been comfortably rated alongside Steyn and Bumrah had he had a full career. The other two have had substantial careers.

Bond for his lack of longevity loses out.

Abbott and Harris never got to play those many test matches.

 

[sithb]

Also we as fans are often guilty of misjudging players , especially when the players are bit-part for quite a chunk of their careers.

Likes of Croft would have made the starting lineup of all the other teams for example.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

From the ones I have seen Asif, Bond and Ryan Harris are at the top of the list. They weren't just good bowlers they were entertaining bowler.

Stuart Clark was also a pretty decent bowler that found it difficult to get into the Aussie side bcause of the players in his way. In any other era he would have played more.

James Pattinson, he was the next big thing but unfortunately succumbed to injuries.

If I had to pick a best, based on what we seen and what could have been I'd opt for Bond.

 

[Devadwal]

No one is mentioned Boland?

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I'm gonna add Simon Jones to the list.

His display of reverse-swing bowling in the 2005 Ashes mesmerized everyone, but sadly he struggled with persistent injuries, which ended his career prematurely.

But when you think back to the 2005 Ashes, I think he is one of the characters that always stands out.

 

[Katwalindian]

No one is mentioned Boland?

He is currently playing

 

[hafizexpress]

The bowlers mentioned in OP are undeniable, so I am going to move past them and mention someone who will surprise many... and that is Junaid Khan. He has been forgotten but he had the drive and skillset to be great. Let's not forget he spearheaded the attack in our UAE fortress years, and bowled some very memorable spells against Sri Lanka who were a great team at the time with Mahela, Sanga and Angelo leading them.

He had decent pace and could move the ball. Also had the drive for test cricket which is lacking in most of our bowlers today. Misbah would run him for long spells in the UAE heat. I believe he was emerging cricketer of the year in 2013.

His foot or leg injury in 2014 made him into a shadow of what he was before but he's someone who I believe had the tools and determination to have had an above average career had the injuries not occurred. Obviously would not have taken as many wickets as Asif, Bond, Harris, etc., but I think he could have gotten 300+ which is something we might never have again.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Never thought even Australian board could be that cruel with players

No one is mentioned Boland?