Dale Steyn vs Curtly Ambrose vs Glenn Mcgrath

[aarizzler720]

Both are all‑time greats, but they dominated in completely different ways.

Strengths

• Metronomic accuracy
• Seam movement without needing pace
• Relentless pressure
• Big‑match temperament (World Cups, Ashes, finals)
• Incredible economy in all formats
• Could bowl the same perfect ball 100 times in a row

What makes him uniqueMcGrath didn’t beat you with magic — he beat you with inevitability.You knew what he was going to bowl, and you still couldn’t score.

Why captains loved himHe made every other bowler better by choking runs at one end.

In Asia

• Surprisingly effective
• His bounce + accuracy still caused mistakes
• He didn’t need swing to be dangerous

Strengths

• Late outswing at 145+ km/h
• Reverse swing that was almost unfair
• The best strike rate of any bowler with 400+ Test wickets
• Explosive spells that changed matches instantly
• Success in every country
• Pure aggression and heart

What makes him uniqueSteyn could take wickets on any pitch — flat, dead, slow, green, dusty.He was the closest thing to a guaranteed breakthrough.

In Asia

• Brilliant because of reverse swing
• His pace through the air made him lethal even on slow decks

 

[Bhaijaan]

Steyn for me.

This man pushed himself to his human limits. The aggression and speed was off the charts given his mediocre build. Add to it the deadly accuracy, seam movement and you have created a demon from hellfire for batters.


The other two were remarkably physically gifted athletes, both 6’5” + individuals

 

[Van_Sri]

Dale Steyn Outside South Africa 178 Wickets at an Average of 24.91, Curtly Ambrose Outside West Indies 202 Wickets at an Average of 20.78, Glenn McGrath Outside Australia 274 Wickets at an Average of 20.81, Jasprit Bumrah Outside India 172 Wickets at an Average of 20.54.

 

[aarizzler720]

Steyn for me.

This man pushed himself to his human limits. The aggression and speed was off the charts given his mediocre build. Add to it the deadly accuracy, seam movement and you have created a demon from hellfire for batters.


The other two were remarkably physically gifted athletes, both 6’5” + individuals

yeah mcgrath and ambrose werae like your typical gifted athletes both tall one was 6'4 while the other was 6'7, steyn was a normal human still reached their level and became the best strike bowler of his generation

 

[sweep_shot]

McGrath is the greatest pacer in cricket's history.

McGrath wins easily.

 

[Human786]

Steyn , McGrath , Ambrose

 

[Deewana Mastana]

All three were great fast bowlers, but they were great in different ways, so it’s not a straight one-to-one comparison.

Curtly Ambrose used bounce and accuracy to intimidate batters. On tough pitches, he was almost unplayable and could change a match very quickly.

Glenn McGrath was all about control and consistency. He didn’t rely on raw pace but beat batters with line, length, and patience, especially in big matches.

Dale Steyn brought pace, swing, and aggression together. In his peak, he could destroy batting line-ups in any conditions and was effective across formats.

Instead of picking one outright, it’s fair to say Ambrose was the most intimidating, McGrath the most consistent and reliable and Steyn the most complete fast bowler of the modern era. Different eras, different conditions, all three were legends in their own way.

 

[Buffet]

McGrath
Steyn/Ambrose

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Mcgrath most effective. Steyn most watchable.

 

[bk19xsa]

McGrath is king. Ambrose is scary to face. Steyn pushed hard.

 

[Van_Sri]

In India Steyn, McGrath were good but not Ambrose

 

[Van_Sri]

Ambrose was even better than McGrath in Australia

 

[Van_Sri]

McGrath is a better all format bowler than the other 2 bowlers. Ambrose untill early and mid 90s was a great odi bowler but eventually became ineffective in the late 90s. Steyn in ODIs was not that good compared to his test numbers. McGrath is one bowler who was great in both formats.

 

[Hitman]

Both McGrath and Ambrose are legends of unmatched proportions. Steyn too is a bona fide great of the game.

My personal favorite among them would be McGrath.​

 

[aarizzler720]

Both McGrath and Ambrose are legends of unmatched proportions. Steyn too is a bona fide great of the game.

My personal favorite among them would be McGrath.​

feel like mcgrath and ambrose are two tall blokes with bounce from the heavens and that awkward length and precision which made them just dangerous everywhere, but I'd maybe rate mcgrath ahead little because he has better record in asia, however steyn has the best record there among 3 and has the best sr, while the others have better average and consistency and both especially ambrose are geniunely unplayable to play in SENA. Overall all 3 formed great duos and achieved remarkable success for their test teams like Warne and Mcgrath and Gillespie, Ambrose/Walsh/Bishop/Marshall, Steyn, Rabada, Morkel and Philander

 

[Ab Fan]

McGrath > Ambrose > Steyn.

Based on performance purely but neither is far behind. Very close.

 

[big_gamer007]

McGrath is the greatest fast bowler to ever play the game.

People underestimate consistency in every forms of life, McGrath was the epitome of consistency. The most difficult skill to achieve for most humans in consistency which McGrath had mastered.

Bowlers like Wasim could do more with the ball but weren’t half as consistent as McGrath. Which makes them a tier below even if he had more deliveries in the arsenal.

Steyn is a gun bowler, but his ODI records and World Cup just puts him a tier below McGrath as well.

Ambrose is closest to McGrath in consistency but just a tier below.

Overall,

McGrath > Steyn > Ambrose

 

[Van_Sri]

Best Home Bowlers : 1) McGrath - 289 Wickets at 22.43 2) Steyn - 261 Wickets at 21.62 3) Ambrose - 203 Wickets at 21.19