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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
QalandarFan

QalandarFan

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Two right arm quick's, both are great swing bowlers and will go down in the books as ATG's. Both have mastered the art of Fast Bowling. The question is who is the better test bowler James Anderson or Dale Steyn. Both of them have Sublime Averages in Asia. Their average barely changes by about a few decimals in Asia as compared to their overall average. So who is the better bowler?
 
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.
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What are your thoughts?
 
Steyn probably wins the battle, but there is nothing better than watching Jimmy bowl when in full form destroying lineups!

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aloo paratha said:
Steyn probably wins the battle, but there is nothing better than watching Jimmy bowl when in full form destroying lineups!

Sent from my BLU LIFE ONE X using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Totally! Actually watching but of them in full flow is amazing.
 
QalandarFan said:
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?
Click to expand...

Not going to delve in stats but Steyn is the better bowler for me.

Has great pace and an incredible outswinger - troubled an ATG Indian batting lineup with TEndulkar, Sehwag, Dravid, Ganguly back in 2008 in Ahmedabad taking 7-29 or something like that. Was an incredible spell.

In SAF conditions - Steyn is unstoppable.

Anderson is good too but not quite as effective in foreign conditions as Steyn - struggled a lot in Asia too.

Both are not as good in ODI's as they are in Tests but still Steyn in ODI's > Anderson in ODI's.
 
Hafeez said he would have thumped both of them blindfolded in 4th test.

My feeling Steyn was more useful on his peak.
 
The thing is that Anderson started as a pretty ordinary bowler but improved after the first 3-4 years of his career, since the last 3 years he's really evolved into a brilliant bowler, and the nickname 'clouderson' doesn't really fit because he's done well in lots of conditions now. Steyn on the other hand started as something really special, he was much faster than Anderson and swung the ball lethally late, not to forget his lines and lengths that would square up batsmen in their crease.

All in all, both great bowlers but Steyn takes the cake!

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In test format:

Steyn> Wasim> Donald> Waqar> Pollock> Anderson.

This should settle all the debate.
 
Ab Fan said:
In test format:

Steyn> Wasim> Donald> Waqar> Pollock> Anderson.

This should settle all the debate.
Click to expand...

Lol Steyn is not better than Wasim/Waqar.

On topic, Steyn > Jimmy. Lethal, pacy - something Anderson is not.

I'd defo go for a fired up Steyn in my line-up over Anderson.
 
In cloudy conditions and swinging conditions I take Jimmy. Even though Jimmy has improved in Asia mostly he keeps it tight and isn't as threatening as Steyn was in his peak in the subcontinent.


Overall I would pick Steyn just
 
Square Drive said:
Lol Steyn is not better than Wasim/Waqar.

On topic, Steyn > Jimmy. Lethal, pacy - something Anderson is not.

I'd defo go for a fired up Steyn in my line-up over Anderson.
Click to expand...

In tests, only Imran Khan is a better Pakistani bowler than Steyn.
 
You can say Anderson has improved a lot in last 3-4 years and it may appear that he is performing as good as Steyn.

Still Steyn averages 18 since 2013 while Anderson averages 24.
 
Since 2014 Stats
James Anderson
Matches - 28
Wkts - 123
Ave - 21.84

Dale Steyn
Matches - 15
Wkts - 67
Ave - 19.16
 
Square Drive said:
Lol Steyn is not better than Wasim/Waqar.

On topic, Steyn > Jimmy. Lethal, pacy - something Anderson is not.

I'd defo go for a fired up Steyn in my line-up over Anderson.
Click to expand...

Yes he is and comfortably too, in Tests.

OT: Steyn is amongst the GOAT bowlers, comparing Anderson to Steyn is like comparing Herath to Murali such is the gulf in quality and impact.

Steyn is a top tier ATG, whilst Anderson is just a country great.
 
This isn't even a contest. Jimmy Anderson is a very good bowler but Steyn is one of the best to have ever played.
 
QalandarFan said:
Since 2014 Stats
James Anderson
Matches - 28
Wkts - 123
Ave - 21.84

Dale Steyn
Matches - 15
Wkts - 67
Ave - 19.16
Click to expand...

So during James Anderson's best run in Test cricket, he averages less than a run better than Dale Steyn's entire career average (22.53).
 
Haroon786 said:
Steyn is up there with McGrath, Marshall, Hadlee and IK.
Click to expand...

Exactly.

In an era of more batting friendly pitches, Steyn has been head & shoulder ahead of any bowler in the world in last 10 years.

An avg of 22 with performance everywhere in the world puts him in a league of greatest bowlers of all time.

Those four names are although ahead of Steyn IMO.
 
Anderson had a horrible start to his career and stats do not do justice to him.

But right now, he is a complete bowler.

He has a potential to take more wickets than any pacer in history of the game :srt

I vote for Anderson. Alongside Broad, they are a lethal bowling pair.
 
Wasim Akram Stats From 1990-97
Matches - 48
Wkts - 240
Ave - 20

Wasim Akram Stats form 1990-94
Matches - 28
Wkts - 150
Ave - 19.5
 
WhenSultansBowled said:
Anderson had a horrible start to his career and stats do not do justice to him.

But right now, he is a complete bowler.

He has a potential to take more wickets than any pacer in history of the game :srt

I vote for Anderson. Alongside Broad, they are a lethal bowling pair.
Click to expand...

Doesn't really mean much - though it's a great credit to his longevity and ability to keep fit.

That record was held by Kapil Dev and Courtney Walsh once, and neither of them also belong in the same tier as Steyn. They were pretty good bowlers though, especially Walsh who I'd say was better than Anderson.
 
Styen is better but Anderson shouldn't be belittled in comparison.
 
Steyn has been better for longer and he's dominated everywhere.

It's not close and that's not a shot at Jimmy who is fantastic himself.
 
What kind of comparison is this?

Anderson is a good bowler, but he's not an ATG. He's an England great, yes.

Steyn is competing with bowling ATGs, though I don't personally rate him equal or close to Wasim/Waqar, as they were more complete bowlers and had more magic.

People started watching cricket only after Steyn recently got injured won't have an idea about Steyn's dominance in Test cricket from.. maybe 2007 or so.

And he dominated every team, every condition, every country. During his worst recent years, he still has a better record than Anderson, who is at his best now.
 
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Ab Fan said:
In tests, only Imran Khan is a better Pakistani bowler than Steyn.
Click to expand...

AlizeeFan said:
He hasn't missed anything not to be better than Waqar.
Click to expand...

Haroon786 said:
Yes he is and comfortably too, in Tests.

OT: Steyn is amongst the GOAT bowlers, comparing Anderson to Steyn is like comparing Herath to Murali such is the gulf in quality and impact.

Steyn is a top tier ATG, whilst Anderson is just a country great.
Click to expand...

He's definitely up there, and one can make a case for Steyn being better than Waqar in Tests, but better than Wasim? Not in my opinion - at least not yet.

In fact I'd actually wait until the end of his career to even say he's better than Waqar, let alone Wasim.

My reasons for that is that Steyn has played more than half of his career games at home, which is not the case with Waqar/Wasim. Additionally, career longevity is another thing to consider when comparing him with Wasim (though this factor doesn't help Waqar).

That said, Steyn is brutal. A total beast, and a treat to watch. He's been bullying batsmen pretty much everywhere, whereas Waqar seemed to have struggled in India whereas Wasim didn't find bowling in South Africa too easy (albeit a very small sample size in both cases). Steyn's SR also speaks volumes about his class.

At the moment, I would say he's definitely up there with the legends, but not quite better than Wasim/Waqar just yet. Needs to keep this up for a few more Tests, and needs a few more games outside of SA. By the end of his career, though, it'll probably be something like Wasim > Steyn > Waqar, IMO.

To say that Steyn is 'comfortably' than Wasim/Waqar in Tests is delusional.
 
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Square Drive said:
In fact I'd actually wait until the end of his career to even say he's better than Waqar, let alone Wasim.
Click to expand...

End of career for what? He has already surpassed Waqar's tally of wickets 2 years back.

Square Drive said:
Additionally, career longevity is another thing to consider when comparing him with Wasim (though this factor doesn't help Waqar).
Click to expand...

Same question. He is just 6 wickets behind Wasim. He will surpass him in this series
 
Jimmy operating at his peak is a joy to watch. He makes watching test cricket fun.

But Steyn is an ATG.
 
AlizeeFan said:
End of career for what? He has already surpassed Waqar's tally of wickets 2 years back.



Same question. He is just 6 wickets behind Wasim. He will surpass him in this series
Click to expand...

Think you need to learn to read the entire post first, as I've explained it all in that one post and there's no need to do it all again.

Also, having more wickets doesn't make you a better bowler. Using that logic, I can say that Vaas is a better ODI bowler than McGrath and Donald.
 
Square Drive said:
Think you need to learn to read the entire post first, as I've explained it all in that one post and there's no need to do it all again.

Also, having more wickets doesn't make you a better bowler. Using that logic, I can say that Vaas is a better ODI bowler than McGrath and Donald.
Click to expand...

Square Drive no point arguing with these guys.

Wasim is one of the best pacer of all time. Steyn is a ATG but not as good as Wasim! :facepalm:
 
Dale Steyn all the way. In my eyes, only second to Wasim in terms of his accomplishment in test arena in the past two decades. The stats speak for themselves.
 
Anderson is a great of the modern game and has matured into a fine bowler in all conditions. But Steyn is more deadly and is an all time great. Anderson is amazing, but I put his achievements partly down to the fact that England play so many Tests and he has a simple bowling action.

Steyn is definitely an all time great and has probably surpassed Alan Donald now as South Africa's best ever bowler. I'd definitely put him in a top ten or top 8 of all time list. And I agree that Waqar and Wasim aren't leagues ahead of him, Steyn definitely deserves to be mentioned in the same category as those two and you could make a case for him being better than both in Tests.
 
Anderson has been a brilliant bowler for quite a while now. Quite easily the 2nd best bowler in this era and slightly ahead of Mich johnson. Steyn though has simply eclipsed all competition by lightyears especially considering the pitches,bat sizes, modern kookaburra ball etc. Only Starc and maybe Rabada have the potential to match this guy. Lol at some ppl who think he's overrated. Only Marshall and McGrath have been better bowlers in Test history and even that is arguable.
 
Steyn is one of the greatest bowlers in the history of test cricket
 
Anderson has failed and let his team down in certain key series vs South Africa and then Australia when his team really needed something from him.
 
QalandarFan said:
Steyn May be better than Waqar but is just slightly below Wasim in tests.
Click to expand...

No bro. steyn is better than Wasim and up there with Mcgrath and marshall as the best ever. It is not just the average but even the strike rate is ridiculous
 
Let me say this again. mcgrath, steyn and marshal are better bowlers than Wasim and Waqar.
 
Anderson has been amazing but is no ATG.

This thread actually is insulting to Steyn.

If it was about who was more enjoyable to watch at their best, it makes sense.

Anderson is nowhere near Pollock who is nowhere near Steyn.

Leagues above.

You are comparing a GOAT with Anderson.
 
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Lol what a hilarious comparison. Anderson is a good bowler but Steyn is leagues ahead of him and will go down as an ATG whereas Anderson will only be considered an England great. Steyn should be compared with other ATG bowlers like Wasim, Marshall, McGrath not with just good bowlers like Anderson.
 
Last edited:
Square Drive said:
Think you need to learn to read the entire post first, as I've explained it all in that one post and there's no need to do it all again.

Also, having more wickets doesn't make you a better bowler. Using that logic, I can say that Vaas is a better ODI bowler than McGrath and Donald.
Click to expand...

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?
 
Square Drive said:
He's definitely up there, and one can make a case for Steyn being better than Waqar in Tests, but better than Wasim? Not in my opinion - at least not yet.

In fact I'd actually wait until the end of his career to even say he's better than Waqar, let alone Wasim.

My reasons for that is that Steyn has played more than half of his career games at home, which is not the case with Waqar/Wasim. Additionally, career longevity is another thing to consider when comparing him with Wasim (though this factor doesn't help Waqar).

That said, Steyn is brutal. A total beast, and a treat to watch. He's been bullying batsmen pretty much everywhere, whereas Waqar seemed to have struggled in India whereas Wasim didn't find bowling in South Africa too easy (albeit a very small sample size in both cases). Steyn's SR also speaks volumes about his class.

At the moment, I would say he's definitely up there with the legends, but not quite better than Wasim/Waqar just yet. Needs to keep this up for a few more Tests, and needs a few more games outside of SA. By the end of his career, though, it'll probably be something like Wasim > Steyn > Waqar, IMO.

To say that Steyn is 'comfortably' than Wasim/Waqar in Tests is delusional.
Click to expand...

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.
 
Dale Steyn is in a different league. It's not just about stats but also about impact and overall destructiveness. Steyn has many spells where he has flattened the opposition. Comes in for a spell and takes 3-4 wickets in 4-5 overs.

Besides that people should not underestimate the potency of pace and fire. Steyn in his prime bowled spells in the 90mph range. The pace also allows him to test batsman with short bowling when conventional methods don't work.

Steyn is an ATG in tests. Jimmy is simply a very good bowler/ an English great.
 
The Steyn Gun is much better than Jimmy.More destructive on different pitches.Steyn is an ATG whereas Jimmy is just a very good bowler.Jimmy is a Waz type of bowler(not qualitywise),while Steyn is a better version of Waqar.
 
Steyn is already better than many greats, Anderson doesn't come to picture.
 
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Think someone voted for Anderson by mistake, it's quite obvious who the other voter was.
 
Who's the better player, C. Ronaldo or Gareth Bale?
 
QalandarFan said:
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?
Click to expand...

Styen, by some margin.

But, I like Jimmi - not that he is better than Styen, but it's just a preference. At his best under favourable condition, it's a pleasure to watch Jimmi bowling.
 
I like Jimmy and I'll probably pick him ahead of Steyn in England, but Steyn is ahead by 2 or 3 leagues. It's not even a comparison.

Steyn will be the best bowler in a lot of eras, Jimmy will struggle to do so in his own generation (even barring Steyn), let alone other generations.
 
MMHS said:
At his best under favourable condition, it's a pleasure to watch Jimmi bowling.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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