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Dale Steyn vs James Anderson : Who is the better Test bowler?

Who is the better Test Bowler?

  • James Anderson

    Votes: 9 9.2%
  • Dale Steyn

    Votes: 89 90.8%

  • Total voters
    98
[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] you created 4 PP accounts to vote for jimmy boy? :yk :jk
 
I'm a bit biased towards Steyn even though I love watching both of them bowl. Steyn's average is 22 and his Average in Asia is 22! Anderson's average is 28 and his Average in Asia is 28! Steyn also has a bit more speed. So with the amount of speed Anderson has got he is still able to average 28 on dead pitched! But Steyn for me is the Better overall Bowler.
[MENTION=138508]aloo paratha[/MENTION] [MENTION=100918]Square Drive[/MENTION] [MENTION=141114]Hasan123[/MENTION] [MENTION=138318]Belawal2014[/MENTION] [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] [MENTION=136729]Suleiman[/MENTION] [MENTION=137804]msb314[/MENTION] [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] [MENTION=140009]The Last Of The Stars[/MENTION] [MENTION=68690]Statsman[/MENTION]

What are your thoughts?

Dale Steyn, comfortably.
 
Yeah, he's good to watch when the ball is swinging miles and I'd watch him over Steyn too, in that case.

Action is better, too.

Rather watch Steyn. Great action, agression in the action, fire in bowling. Get the juices flowing. Fast bowlers's dream.
 
Steyn is a better bowler in all formats.

Anderson, Broad, Harbhajan, Kumble, etc. are nowhere near the likes of Steyn, Ambrose, Warne, and Murali no matter how many wickets they take/took.
 
First you made the statement that he needs to play more and take more wicket, then he can be better than them.

I didn't say that more wickets makes him a better bowler, rather you said that he needs to take more wickets to be considered for that. That's why I asked why is it so?

Where exactly did I mention taking more wickets?

No, Steyn can be compared to ATGs now because he has already surpassed the vast majority in terms of stats and accomplishments. In terms of SR and average combination, he is only second best to Malcolm Marshall and he has the best SR of all time.

The games outside SA part just does not hold because nearly anywhere Steyn has gone he has averaged less than 30, apart from in England IIRC. I don't think you are aware of just how good Steyn is - he has over 400 wickets at an average of 22.53.

Both Wasim and Waqar have inferior stats, lack effectiveness in comparison to Steyn, they also have several bogey teams against who they average far higher than their career average (23-24) and they also were very inconsistent with their form. Neutrally speaking, Steyn is comfortably better in Tests unless you play the aesthetic card and say Wasim is better because of that.

The only thing that's delusional is presenting a poor argument.

My points stand.

Do you know the meaning of 'small sample size'? Obviously Steyn has demolished teams outside Asia, but as I said, he's played the majority of his games at home, meaning he has only played around 4 Tests in each country (a couple more, couple less in some places), compared to the 45 Tests he's played at home.

I'm well aware of Steyn's stats. I can open Cricinfo as easilly as you can. As I said, Steyn can surpass Wasim in Tests, but I'd still wait until the end of his career before declaring that.

Guess we'll have to agree to disagree here.
 
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Anderson may be the most improved bowler in test cricket in the second half of his career, which has even begged the question in the first place.

But statistically, it's a comparison that sorta makes sense if you chop out huge chunks of Anderson's career.

Steyn is better with significantly better with the old ball, even in Asia, and has a better strike even in those periods.

That should settle it for many people, but on a personal level, watching Steyn charge in to eat the batsman alive may not have the grace of Jimmy, but he doesn't need to and I prefer the fastman taking on the bowlers.

Not that he was better, but continuing the personal, I even preferred watching Flintoff bowl to Jimmy post 2004. He was always better to look at than taking a lot of wickets, but watching him and lifting the rest was always a better sight.
 
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Full stats in Asia that are referred to in bits and pieces, sometimes with chunks taken out.

Anderson: 32 innings, 55 wickets, 28.29 average, 63.54 SR, 1 5W, 1 MoM, 0 MoS.

Steyn: 34 innings, 90 wickets, 22.26 average, 40.43 SR, 5 5W, 1 MoM, 2 MoS

Anderson only has a better economy rate of 2 odd versus Steyn's 3 odd.

And we all know how much better Steyn's overall stats are.
 
Where exactly did I mention taking more wickets?



My points stand.

Do you know the meaning of 'small sample size'? Obviously Steyn has demolished teams outside Asia, but as I said, he's played the majority of his games at home, meaning he has only played around 4 Tests in each country (a couple more, couple less in some places), compared to the 45 Tests he's played at home.

I'm well aware of Steyn's stats. I can open Cricinfo as easilly as you can. As I said, Steyn can surpass Wasim in Tests, but I'd still wait until the end of his career before declaring that.

Guess we'll have to agree to disagree here.

It may be difficult for you to acknowledge that Steyn is better than Wasim in Tests, unfortunately that doesn't mean a large number don't think Steyn is better than Wasim and it most certainly isn't delusional to say so either, particularly when any counterpoints are negligee to say the least.
 
Where exactly did I mention taking more wickets?



My points stand.

Do you know the meaning of 'small sample size'? Obviously Steyn has demolished teams outside Asia, but as I said, he's played the majority of his games at home, meaning he has only played around 4 Tests in each country (a couple more, couple less in some places), compared to the 45 Tests he's played at home.

I'm well aware of Steyn's stats. I can open Cricinfo as easilly as you can. As I said, Steyn can surpass Wasim in Tests, but I'd still wait until the end of his career before declaring that.

Guess we'll have to agree to disagree here.

He has as many wickets as Wasim in lesser number of matches at better average and SR in an era of t20. He already surpassed him long time ago. Now all is left is where does Steyn rank among Mcgrath and marshall. We shall wait and see
 
It may be difficult for you to acknowledge that Steyn is better than Wasim in Tests, unfortunately that doesn't mean a large number don't think Steyn is better than Wasim and it most certainly isn't delusional to say so either, particularly when any counterpoints are negligee to say the least.

Seems like you're another poster who has a habit of not reading full posts / not quoting correctly.

Go read that post of mine again. What I wrote was, to say that Steyn is 'COMFORTABLY' better than Wasim in Tests would be delusional.

Counterpoints might seem negligee to you, because you haven't found a way to reply to them.

Anyways, this is getting boring. Neither of us are going to change our opinions, so there's no point of dragging this discussion on further.
 
He has as many wickets as Wasim in lesser number of matches at better average and SR in an era of t20. He already surpassed him long time ago. Now all is left is where does Steyn rank among Mcgrath and marshall. We shall wait and see

Okay, thank you for comparing their Cricinfo profiles.
 
Okay, thank you for comparing their Cricinfo profiles.

I dont need to. I remeber Steyn ripping apart batting line ups pretty often unlike Wasim.

Maybe you should go watch Wasim's yourube clips where he knocks off a stump once or twice and rgard him as the greatest.
 
I dont need to. I remeber Steyn ripping apart batting line ups pretty often unlike Wasim.

Maybe you should go watch Wasim's yourube clips where he knocks off a stump once or twice and rgard him as the greatest.

:)))

Hope you're reading this [MENTION=46929]shaz619[/MENTION].

Exactly what I expected from a sivaji. :))
 
:)))

Hope you're reading this [MENTION=46929]shaz619[/MENTION].

Exactly what I expected from a sivaji. :))
I expected no solid argument from you other than "you have no clue about cricket if you dont think Wasim is the greatest."
 
I expected no solid argument from you other than "you have no clue about cricket if you dont think Wasim is the greatest."

Another brainless post.

Never said Wasim is the greatest.

But the way you describe him is something only you or your kind would do.
 
Anderson is nowhere close to steyn whatever may the rankings say. Steyn is better than all the bowlers who made their debut in the last 30 years.
 
Seems like you're another poster who has a habit of not reading full posts / not quoting correctly.

Go read that post of mine again. What I wrote was, to say that Steyn is 'COMFORTABLY' better than Wasim in Tests would be delusional.

Counterpoints might seem negligee to you, because you haven't found a way to reply to them.

Anyways, this is getting boring. Neither of us are going to change our opinions, so there's no point of dragging this discussion on further.

Ironic that you're complaining of not reading posts properly considering you didn't even respond to most of my posts as to why Steyning is superior to Wasim and Waqar.

I have responded to every single one of your counterpoints but you haven't responded to any of mine because they suggest the obvious.

There is a point where something turns from opinion to fact and Steyn's next 5-10 Tests will ensure that the vast majority of people prefer him in Tests over Wasim or Waqar and it won't be a aesthetics contest anymore.
 
None of them are all that great.

Steyn has his nose ahead on account of his superior strike rate and average.
 
Will Dale Steyn be able to come back and take 500 test wickets? i really hope so.
 
Since 2014 Stats
James Anderson
Matches - 28
Wkts - 123
Ave - 21.84

Dale Steyn
Matches - 15
Wkts - 67
Ave - 19.16

Based on this, which bowler would you rather have in your team? I would go for the one who played twice as many matches.

Steyn is the better bowler, but Anderson's longevity has been valuable for England.
 
A few years ago, this would have been a no contest. But Jimmy has narrowed the gap somewhat over the past few years. Steyn got into the ATG category even some midway some 2/3 way into his career. Jimmy is just about getting there. Steyn would probably figure among best five pacers of all times, Jimmy maybe in top 20-25 or so. So still a no contest, we are too late into their careers for the opinion to change from here.
 
Based on this, which bowler would you rather have in your team? I would go for the one who played twice as many matches.

Steyn is the better bowler, but Anderson's longevity has been valuable for England.

If we take into consideration who was better in their Peaks then Steyn is up there as one of the if not the greatest test fast bowler ever.

So if I was to chose from their peaks I would hands down choose Steyn. What a gun bowler he was!
 
Congrats to Anderson on them 500 Wickets!

A year ago I posted a the stats of bot pacers since 2014, Time to update I guess. --- Note I personally am a huge Steyn fan and in his Peak believe he was one of the most fearsome pacers ever.

Since 2014

James Anderson
Mats - 38
Wkts - 166
Ave - 20.78

Dale Steyn
Mats - 16
Wkts - 67
Ave - 19.20

So even though Steyn hasn't been in best of form in the past 3 years, he's still been able to pluck out wickets. Only thing is he's got injured quite a bit and the pace has been down. Anderson been fairly consistent throughout his career and never really relied on pace therefore it has resulted in longevity. Steyn though was incomparable to anyone in his prime in over the past decade.
 
Will Dale Steyn be able to come back and take 500 test wickets? i really hope so.

Unfortunately I don't think so, because if he comes back now he should've learned by now that he shouldn't try to push that 140 barrier. So what that loss of pace I don't think he will be as effective if he comes back. I hope I am wrong and I hope he goes on to pick up 600 wickets but very unlikely.
 
J Anderson v D Steyn: Who's better?

Isn't that obvious
The one who isn't dependent on clouds and/or favourable pitch to be effective.
 
I'd put Steyn in the ATG list when it comes to fast bowlers - alongside Akram, Younis, Marshall, McGrath, Hadlee, Lilee, Ambrose etc.

Are we really saying Anderson belongs with those bowlers?
 
Congrats to Anderson on them 500 Wickets!

A year ago I posted a the stats of bot pacers since 2014, Time to update I guess. --- Note I personally am a huge Steyn fan and in his Peak believe he was one of the most fearsome pacers ever.

Since 2014

James Anderson
Mats - 38
Wkts - 166
Ave - 20.78

Dale Steyn
Mats - 16
Wkts - 67
Ave - 19.20

So even though Steyn hasn't been in best of form in the past 3 years, he's still been able to pluck out wickets. Only thing is he's got injured quite a bit and the pace has been down. Anderson been fairly consistent throughout his career and never really relied on pace therefore it has resulted in longevity. Steyn though was incomparable to anyone in his prime in over the past decade.

This This This!

Jimmy haters will conveniently ignore this.

He is a match-winner. Worth his weight in gold. (not taking anything away from Steyn)
 
Based on this, which bowler would you rather have in your team? I would go for the one who played twice as many matches.

Steyn is the better bowler, but Anderson's longevity has been valuable for England.

I'd take the bowler who ensured his team did not lose a series away for 8 years straight. The man who bowled match/series winning spells out of nowhere. Whenever SA desperately needed a wicket Steyn gave them 3 in a spell.
 
Congrats to Anderson on them 500 Wickets!

A year ago I posted a the stats of bot pacers since 2014, Time to update I guess. --- Note I personally am a huge Steyn fan and in his Peak believe he was one of the most fearsome pacers ever.

Since 2014

James Anderson
Mats - 38
Wkts - 166
Ave - 20.78

Dale Steyn
Mats - 16
Wkts - 67
Ave - 19.20

So even though Steyn hasn't been in best of form in the past 3 years, he's still been able to pluck out wickets. Only thing is he's got injured quite a bit and the pace has been down. Anderson been fairly consistent throughout his career and never really relied on pace therefore it has resulted in longevity. Steyn though was incomparable to anyone in his prime in over the past decade.

Main difference always has been when they played out of comfort zone. For example in your chosen period.

Since 2014 outside of home:

Anderson - Avg 26 & SR 63

Steyn - Avg 18 & SR 39
 
Main difference always has been when they played out of comfort zone. For example in your chosen period.

Since 2014 outside of home:

Anderson - Avg 26 & SR 63

Steyn - Avg 18 & SR 39

Yes I agree but has Steyn toured Asia in those last 3 years, jw?
 
Yes I agree but has Steyn toured Asia in those last 3 years, jw?

Yes, he has played in Asia in this period. Anyway, forget about Asia. In general Eng always gives dry pitch to SA when SA tours. PPers sometime point to Steyn averaging 30-31 in Eng, but Anderson averages 40 in those same tests when Steyn played. Simple reason is that Steyn can still do something in one spell to win series, but Anderson finds it harder. There is too huge a gap to have any meaningful comparison.
 
There have not been many better bowlers than Steyn in Test match cricket history. A comfortable win for him.
 
Dale Steyn is a once in a generation type of player and one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time.
Ridiculous comparison.
 
Not even a comparison. Have a look at their averages and SR's in different countries, and compare their averages at home and away from home.

Anderson's average away from home is embarrassing for someone with most wickets among all fast bowlers in history.
 
Some posters voting Anderson must have watched cricket in last 5 years only. Steyn was the most feared bowler in the 2000s even when McGrath was around. Anderson can only dream of destroying Asian teams in Asia like Steyn did.
 
Some posters voting Anderson must have watched cricket in last 5 years only. Steyn was the most feared bowler in the 2000s even when McGrath was around. Anderson can only dream of destroying Asian teams in Asia like Steyn did.

Lol, Dale was a virtual nobody in international cricket when Mcgrath retired post 2006 Ashes.
 
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Lol, Dale was a virtual nobody in international cricket when Mcgrath retired post 2006 Ashes.

McGrath retired from international in 2007. Steyn was already an established bowler by then.
 
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McGrath retired from international in 2007. Steyn was already an established bowler by then.

LMAO. And what did I write...2006 Ashes. Are you telling me I am wrong?

In your own words...

Steyn was the most feared bowler in the 2000s even when McGrath was around.

But now you say

Steyn was already an established bowler by then.

Newsflash, big difference between 'most feared in the world' and 'established'.

Sadly for you, Steyn had hardly played 8-9 matches by then, and that's not enough to either be 'established' or become the 'most feared in the world'.
 
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Some posters voting Anderson must have watched cricket in last 5 years only. Steyn was the most feared bowler in the 2000s even when McGrath was around. Anderson can only dream of destroying Asian teams in Asia like Steyn did.

Steyn was nothing when McGrath played. He built his reputation 2007-08 onwards.
 
LMAO. And what did I write...2006 Ashes. Are you telling me I am wrong?

In your own words...



But now you say



Newsflash, big difference between 'most feared in the world' and 'established'.

Sadly for you, Steyn had hardly played 8-9 matches by then, and that's not enough to either be 'established' or become the 'most feared in the world'.
McGrath didn't retire from cricket until 2007, by then Steyn was already the most feared bowler in tests. He had a bowling average of 17 in 2007 (his second best year in career in terms of average).
 
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McGrath didn't retire from cricket until 2007, by then Steyn was already the most feared bowler in tests. He had a bowling average of 17 in 2007 (his second best year in career in terms of average).

And McGrath played Tests in 2007, right? :))
 
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Although Steyn is one of the all time great fast bowlers, and better overall than most of his peers including Anderson, there are a couple of areas where Anderson has been proven to have the upper hand: fitness, and lastability. The guy turns 37 soon but on the field he literally performs and carries himself like a 25 year old.
 
Although Steyn is one of the all time great fast bowlers, and better overall than most of his peers including Anderson, there are a couple of areas where Anderson has been proven to have the upper hand: fitness, and lastability. The guy turns 37 soon but on the field he literally performs and carries himself like a 25 year old.

Yes, this is where I'll completely agree.
 
McGrath didn't retire from cricket until 2007, by then Steyn was already the most feared bowler in tests. He had a bowling average of 17 in 2007 (his second best year in career in terms of average).

Here's your list homework:

1) Tell us again how Mcgrath didn't retire UNTIL 2007 when in fact his last test got over on january 7 of 2007

2) Have you made up your mind if Dale was 'established' or the 'most feared bowler in the world' in january 2007?

3) In which cricketing universe does a bowler with an average of 33 having played 8-9 tests deemed either 'established' or the 'most feared bowler in the world'?
 
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Anderson is getting better and better with age like a fine wine.

Steyn looks quite okayish now. Bobby Azam has dented his confidence forever it seems and buried his legend.
 
Comfortably better is Steyn. Bowling in the high 140s, swinging it beautifully, reverse swinging it, terrorizing the batsmen with daunting bouncers and looking as good as ever.

Anderson is a work horse however and has been exceptional off late. Had a great home season followed by an even better Ashes. As of now, my inclination is still towards Steyn.
 
Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Steyn is more injury prone, however I have noticed that if a partnership is going, Anderson tends to get frustrated and he loses his threat, whereas Steyn will always come in and give 110% regardless of the game situation. I think that if you can see Anderson off with the new ball (big if) then he is negated a lot. No need to compare though, which is why I am not going to vote in this poll, both greats of the game, let's just enjoy and appreciate their contributions to the game we all love
 
It is crazy how both are 35+ years of age and still playing. Especially Steyn ODI’s and Tests after all those injuries and the pace is still up there 145!
 
Hardly anything to choose between the two. Both are all time greats. Though, I personally like James Anderson.
 
The only factor that favours Anderson is lastability. Dale Steyn is ahead in every other aspect.
 
Why do you pick Wasim over Donald and Donald over Waqar?

I consider Wasim as arguably the greatest ODI bowler of all-time. In tests, from his era, McGrath and Ambrose are slightly ahead, while Donald was possibly in same league as him but inferior ODI bowler to Akram.

Waqar was below Akram/Donald in tests and also below the duo in ODIs.
 
I consider Wasim as arguably the greatest ODI bowler of all-time. In tests, from his era, McGrath and Ambrose are slightly ahead, while Donald was possibly in same league as him but inferior ODI bowler to Akram.

Waqar was below Akram/Donald in tests and also below the duo in ODIs.

Thought you ranked them specifically in tests?

Anyway, if you're considering all formats, then it's Wasim, Waqar (I consider him better than Donald in ODIs and overall just a bit behind in Tests) and Donald for me.
 
Thought you ranked them specifically in tests?

Anyway, if you're considering all formats, then it's Wasim, Waqar (I consider him better than Donald in ODIs and overall just a bit behind in Tests) and Donald for me.

Everyone have their own option, so won't argue on that but I believe Donald was a phenomenal bowler who actually even missed the first six peak years of his career due to ban. He was brilliant in ODIs as well although used to leak runs at time, but Waqar did that as well and even more than Donald.

Donald avg against top 8 teams and everywhere else is brilliant except Australia where he still averages 31, i.e., still fine from any standards. So, I will have to go with Donald over Waqar.
 
Everyone have their own option, so won't argue on that but I believe Donald was a phenomenal bowler who actually even missed the first six peak years of his career due to ban. He was brilliant in ODIs as well although used to leak runs at time, but Waqar did that as well and even more than Donald.

Donald avg against top 8 teams and everywhere else is brilliant except Australia where he still averages 31, i.e., still fine from any standards. So, I will have to go with Donald over Waqar.

Fair enough, but for me I think Waqar at his peak outweighs the small edge in statistical performance that Donald had over the course of their careers.
 
Fair enough, but for me I think Waqar at his peak outweighs the small edge in statistical performance that Donald had over the course of their careers.

Waqar had no peak in ODI format.
 
Waqar had no peak in ODI format.

That's false because most if not all elite athletes have a period in their career where they produce their very best output in terms of quality and consistency and Waqar did so too in ODIs (see attachment). Where you are right, which is what I think you are getting at is that Waqar's peak in ODIs wasn't a patch on his peak in Tests.

Screenshot_20190129-171143_Samsung Internet.jpg
 
I have all the respect in the world for Anderson and everything he has been able to accomplish. His longevity and consistency is remarkable and clearly unmatched by any fast-bowler in the history of the game.

That said, he's got nothing on Steyn: the greatest fast-bowler of the modern era.
 
Steyn is a top 5 all-time great fast bowler.

Anderson is below Shaun Pollock for me as a test bowler.
 
Steyn is top 5, arguably top 3 greatest bowler of all time. He dominated teams in an extremely batting friendly era (mid 2000s-mid 2010s). With due respect to Anderson, he is several levels below Steyn.

Steyn single handedly demolished top teams like India and Pakistan even in the subcontinent in his prime, when SC pitches were flatter than a pancake. He was so much above the rest during his time, it's comical.
 
While my opinion has not changed and Steyn is still one of my favourite bowlers I’ve ever seen bowl, I do have to say the poll would look a bit different compared to 5 years ago when I made this thread. Anderson’s longevity has been insane he’s been much better from 33-39 than 22-32 it’s actually insane for a fast bowler to be this durable!

But Steyn is still my favourite Non-Pakistani bowler by far and I’d take him over any other bowler from the past 20 years he was a different beast. Wish he played a little bit longer!
 
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This is what the great man himself had to say

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jimmy has Test match bowling wired.<br><br>Smooth energy saving run up<br>Easy uncomplicated action<br>Great wrist (in/out swing, wobble)<br>Just enough pace. Just. <br><br>Pleasure to watch &#55357;&#56396;</p>— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) <a href="https://twitter.com/DaleSteyn62/status/1431204345350066181?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 27, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
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