Is Glenn McGrath the most successful Test bowler ever?

[Bhaijaan]

2006 DLF Cup there was a match on a seaming wicket where McGrath completely outclassed Sachin. On the whole I think McGrath was the only bowler Sachin really struggled against.

The thing with McGrath was that he was top notch bowler even when he wasn't in his peak since he didn't rely much on pace and exaggerated movements. Its a different thing with batsmen and SRT was on many occasions going through his rough patches while facing McGrath. In his peak, he did take him to the cleaners. The 1999 test series does come to mind when he stood up to him in Australia and then smashed him in Kenya in an ODI. Don't quite recall when McGrath when McGrath was out of form. He was such a freak, always delivered.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

The thing with McGrath was that he was top notch bowler even when he wasn't in his peak since he didn't rely much on pace and exaggerated movements. Its a different thing with batsmen and SRT was on many occasions going through his rough patches while facing McGrath. In his peak, he did take him to the cleaners. The 1999 test series does come to mind when he stood up to him in Australia and then smashed him in Kenya in an ODI. Don't quite recall when McGrath when McGrath was out of form. He was such a freak, always delivered.

That tour of Australia in 1999/00 was Sachin's finest imo. His 116 at the MCG was the best i ever saw him play against Mcgrath. Sheer class.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xeUgAMAdXs

Mcgrath was really testing his temperament early on with those in seaming deliveries.

 

[EliteCynic]

Most PPers rate Lara more than Sachin, I reckon. I think it is fair to say McGrath made Lara his bunny quite frequently and that too after announcing openly.
His remarkable quality was to remove the best batsman. He always took it on him. Came into his own after taking a fifer in lahore in an ODI and then the West Indies tour of 1995, where he stepped in for injured Craig McDermott and really established himself as the leader of the pack for the next decade.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

^^ McGrath was not a great ODI bowler till about 99. But from then on till the 2007 WC he was phenomenal.

 

[Bhaijaan]

That tour of Australia in 1999/00 was Sachin's finest imo. His 116 at the MCG was the best i ever saw him play against Mcgrath. Sheer class.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xeUgAMAdXs

Mcgrath was really testing his temperament early on with those in seaming deliveries.

The kind of stuff that turned people into Sachinistas. Lovely memories, waking up early in the morning as kids, having tea and biscuits and seeing SRT turning the table on world champs. And of course, switching the damn tv off once he got out since nothing else was worth watching.

 

[Saqs]

His remarkable quality was to remove the best batsman. He always took it on him. .

This. Most of his wickets were game changing wickets. The cream of the crop wickets.

 

[Feroz Rawther]

2006 DLF Cup there was a match on a seaming wicket where McGrath completely outclassed Sachin. On the whole I think McGrath was the only bowler Sachin really struggled against.

Mcgrath didn't dismiss Sachin in any of those matches

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Bump. I think one of the reasons McGrath is not considered the greatest ever would probably be due to his sheer longevity. No other bowler apart from Walsh had McGrath's longevity and Walsh wasn't nearly good enough. However, take a look at his peak(a plateau really) which I consider to be from Christmas Day 1995 to 10th August 2005. He played 93 Test matches in this period and took 444 Test wickets - again more than any fast bowler bar Walsh and longer than a lot of fast bowlers' careers. Take a look at his average,economy and strike rate.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...5;spanval1=span;template=results;type=bowling

I think that's a pretty good argument to show, atleast statistically, that he is the greatest bowler evr.

 

[Convict]

McGrath is the Tendulkar of fast bowling.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Another interesting stat from the above period is that McGrath took around 4.8 wickets per match despite having to share wickets with Warne and Gillespie. Only Steyn and Hadlee take more wickets/match (around 5) and neither had another great bowler at the other end(Philander has been around only for 2 years or so).

 

[Nikhil_cric]

McGrath is the Tendulkar of fast bowling.

More like the Bradman of fast bowling going by those numbers lol . But on a serious note, do you think we have been underrating McGrath so far. [MENTION=132373]Convict[/MENTION]

 

[Convict]

More like the Bradman of fast bowling going by those numbers lol . But on a serious note, do you think we have been underrating McGrath so far. [MENTION=132373]Convict[/MENTION]

It's the same arguement as with Tendulkar in my opinion.

Sure the very best performances they put out may not be as destructive or as romantic as some of there peers but they both put on consistently great results consistently for a very long period.

And like Tendulkar, McGrath has to be consideration as one of the best of his craft. I think he beats Steyn as the best quick in my lifetime.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

It's the same arguement as with Tendulkar in my opinion.

Sure the very best performances they put out may not be as destructive or as romantic as some of there peers but they both put on consistently great results consistently for a very long period.

And like Tendulkar, McGrath has to be consideration as one of the best of his craft. I think he beats Steyn as the best quick in my lifetime.

He is the best pacer I have seen as well. I have not seen Marshall though so i dunno.

 

[sherlock89]

McGrath is the Tendulkar of fast bowling.

I have to agree with this.

 

[BD-fan]

Since I can't get in to a debate: I am going to repost for attention, lol.
It is like saying Gavaskar, Border, ABCDEFG whoever crossed 10k runs are better than Bradman. Mind boggling I say!!!
+++
It is Marshall and then everyone else.
+++
Lohmann (ENG - AVG 10.75 SR 34.1 - 1886-1896)
Truman (ENG - AVG 21.57 SR 49.4 - 1952-1965)
Garner (WI - AVG 20.97 SR 50.8 - 1977-1987)
Takeout the stupid stats:
D Steyn, Waqar, Wasim, Imran, Hadlee, Donald, Ambrose, Holding, Hall, Roberts are all as threatening if not more than McGrath. (Left out Sobers for obvious reasons)

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Since I can't get in to a debate: I am going to repost for attention, lol.
It is like saying Gavaskar, Border, ABCDEFG whoever crossed 10k runs are better than Bradman. Mind boggling I say!!!
+++
It is Marshall and then everyone else.
+++
Lohmann (ENG - AVG 10.75 SR 34.1 - 1886-1896)
Truman (ENG - AVG 21.57 SR 49.4 - 1952-1965)
Garner (WI - AVG 20.97 SR 50.8 - 1977-1987)
Takeout the stupid stats:
D Steyn, Waqar, Wasim, Imran, Hadlee, Donald, Ambrose, Holding, Hall, Roberts are all as threatening if not more than McGrath. (Left out Sobers for obvious reasons)

It's not a good example BD-fan. gavaskar and border certainly did score more runs but at an average much less than that of Bradman. McGrath took more wickets than Marshall during the above period at a superior average as well. How is it the same?

 

[BD-fan]

It's not a good example BD-fan. gavaskar and border certainly did score more runs but at an average much less than that of Bradman. McGrath took more wickets than Marshall during the above period at a superior average as well. How is it the same?

Thanks for replying. What is above period mean? If career then go check stats please.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Thanks for replying. What is above period mean? If career then go check stats please.

McGrath had a huge career for a fast bowler. So I compared McGrath's peak from Dec 25 1995 to Aug 10 2005. In this period he had played 93 tests and taken 444 wickets at an average of 19.9 and SR of 49.1. Considering that McGrath's peak was longer than a lot if fast bowlers' careers, I thought it was a fair comparison.

 

[Haz95]

Among them..Best from Australia

 

[BD-fan]

McGrath had a huge career for a fast bowler. So I compared McGrath's peak from Dec 25 1995 to Aug 10 2005....

Why would one pick and choose a certain period of time when all players questioned are retired?

In that case consider the Ambrose spell and declare he is the greatest bowler ever to play the game. Them 10-14 balls no one was as special as him right?
+++
When you are making comparison between players from different eras you can't just pick a small portion of their time. McGrath's Average is less than Marshall's. No way around it. Again Gavaskar, Border and all other 10 thousand club members are not greater than Bradman. Similarly 400+ wicket taking fast bowlers are not greater than Marshall.

 

[Mamoon]

He'd be universally rated as the best ever if he brought a bit more excitement and flair to the table but not everyone can have every quality. He was a robot and a lot of people prefer to watch humans with emotions (not counting the odd foul mouthed rant).

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Why would one pick and choose a certain period of time when all players questioned are retired?

In that case consider the Ambrose spell and declare he is the greatest bowler ever to play the game. Them 10-14 balls no one was as special as him right?
+++
When you are making comparison between players from different eras you can't just pick a small portion of their time. McGrath's Average is less than Marshall's. No way around it. Again Gavaskar, Border and all other 10 thousand club members are not greater than Bradman. Similarly 400+ wicket taking fast bowlers are not greater than Marshall.

Like I said I chose a certain period of time because McGrath test career of 124 tests was the longest among the great fast bowlers. Only wasim comes close at 104 tests and then Ambrose at 98. Pollock and Walsh were very good but their wicket taking abilities were not that great IMO. What I was trying to show was that for the bulk of his career he was sub 20 averaging bowler and this part of his career was linger and easily more productive than hadlee or Marshall OE any of the other great fast bowlers.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

He'd be universally rated as the best ever if he brought a bit more excitement and flair to the table but not everyone can have every quality. He was a robot and a lot of people prefer to watch humans with emotions (not counting the odd foul mouthed rant).

But should 'flair' and 'excitement' be the criteria while establishing who the greatest ever was? Besides whether he brought excitement or not is purely subjective. Isn't it?

 

[Aman]

In what world was McGrath boring...

He always had a word to say to the batsmen, hardly boring if you ask me..

 

[Mamoon]

In what world was McGrath boring...

He always had a word to say to the batsmen, hardly boring if you ask me..

He was boring because he lacked variations and was very consistent and regular in what he did. He was classless no doubt and yes always had something to say to the batsmen, but that has nothing do with being boring and lacking flair.

 

[Mamoon]

But should 'flair' and 'excitement' be the criteria while establishing who the greatest ever was? Besides whether he brought excitement or not is purely subjective. Isn't it?

Yes it is and that is precisely the reason why he is often underrated by many.

 

[Aman]

He was boring because he lacked variations and was very consistent and regular in what he did. He was classless no doubt and yes always had something to say to the batsmen, but that has nothing do with being boring and lacking flair.

Speak for yourself, it's for that very reason people found him great to watch.

As for flair, that's just a meaningless term people attach to players who don't stack up.

 

[Mamoon]

I am speaking for myself and for all the people who don't rate him as the best ever. Otherwise performance and statistics wise, there is no better fast bowler in history.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

I am speaking for myself and for all the people who don't rate him as the best ever. Otherwise performance and statistics wise, there is no better fast bowler in history.

Fair enough but variations are pretty overrated to be honest. Steyn, Ambrose, Waqar - none of them could bowl anything and everything. In fact they simply stuck to their strengths and persisted with them. Only Wasim really had all kinds of variations in his arsenal.

 

[Mamoon]

Fair enough but variations are pretty overrated to be honest. Steyn, Ambrose, Waqar - none of them could bowl anything and everything. In fact they simply stuck to their strengths and persisted with them. Only Wasim really had all kinds of variations in his arsenal.

Problem is Mcgrath wasn't really a big swinger of the ball either. His strength was bowling on the 4th and 5th stump channel with relentless accuracy. Makes for a boring sight in my view.

 

[Convict]

Problem is Mcgrath wasn't really a big swinger of the ball either. His strength was bowling on the 4th and 5th stump channel with relentless accuracy. Makes for a boring sight in my view.

I think David Hookes said something along this lines.
He would never pay money to watch McGrath play but he'd take a bus load of young, aspiring fast bowlers to the cricket to watch him play

 

[Mamoon]

I think David Hookes said something along this lines.
He would never pay money to watch McGrath play but he'd take a bus load of young, aspiring fast bowlers to the cricket to watch him play

Yes. Of course in terms of performance you cannot look past Mcgrath but from the POV of entertainment, I am not sure he would be high on the list.

 

[Luton Bad Boy]

Just watched Ashes 2005 1st Test and Mcgrath was unbelievable...

Mohammad Asif was the only bowler who came remotely close to his action and accuracy...

 

[Haz95]

Problem is Mcgrath wasn't really a big swinger of the ball either. His strength was bowling on the 4th and 5th stump channel with relentless accuracy. Makes for a boring sight in my view.

Agree with sir mamoon here... It was that consistent wicket taking line which made him so successful. Wasn't incredibly entertaining but it did more than just the job, it made him one of the Greatest of all time


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Dr_Bassim]

It takes a high degree of skill to bowl 4th and 5th stump length day in day out for 16 years.

People look at Marshall, Wasim, Ambrose and say they were deadly with variations and I don't disagree.

But McGrath did what no sane man could probably do.

Bowl that line, with no swing whatsoever, and stuck to it like gum.

No wonder he got so many wickets.

I admire the man not because he took so many wickets, but he perfected a skill so much that it looked mechanical on him almost. That's class.

And that won't be easy to replicate in gazillion years.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

I distinctly remember McGrath swinging the ball in 2000/01 when Australia toured India. McGrath may not have been an exponent of swing bowling but was fairly good.

 

[Mamoon]

It takes a high degree of skill to bowl 4th and 5th stump length day in day out for 16 years.

People look at Marshall, Wasim, Ambrose and say they were deadly with variations and I don't disagree.

But McGrath did what no sane man could probably do.

Bowl that line, with no swing whatsoever, and stuck to it like gum.

No wonder he got so many wickets.

I admire the man not because he took so many wickets, but he perfected a skill so much that it looked mechanical on him almost. That's class.

And that won't be easy to replicate in gazillion years.

That's true. His consistency was inhuman.

 

[Convict]

It takes a high degree of skill to bowl 4th and 5th stump length day in day out for 16 years.

People look at Marshall, Wasim, Ambrose and say they were deadly with variations and I don't disagree.

But McGrath did what no sane man could probably do.

Bowl that line, with no swing whatsoever, and stuck to it like gum.

No wonder he got so many wickets.

I admire the man not because he took so many wickets, but he perfected a skill so much that it looked mechanical on him almost. That's class.

And that won't be easy to replicate in gazillion years.

He grew up in the middle of the outback in a town of 3,000 people. Spent half his childhood just bowling at a tin can all day

 

[Energetic]

Probably.

 

[EliteCynic]

Yes, Sachin played a special innings that day. Lit up Lords. Pity, he couldn't do it in a test match.
Don't want to hijack the thread which is about McGrath. Two wonderful anecdotes to mind about McGrath. Allow me to share them:

1. Ashes 1997 - Edgbaston - Aus los the test, thanks to a brillant double from Nasser and a century from Thorpe. After the test, Geoff Marsh, who was the coach, asks the groundman to leave the pitch as is as he would want to practice. He gets McGrath and tells him what he is doing wrong. Basically, he told him that he was bowling an 'Australian' length and had to pitch it up if he wanted to succeed in England. He then placed a handkerchief at a full length and asked McGrath to keep bowling at that. McGrath practiced it relentlessly and what was the net result? Next test match at Lords, he takes 8/38. He was not naturally gifted, but put in tremendous effort.

2. He had a great memory. He remembered every wicket of his (almost every). Remember an interview of his with Harsha, where he said, he was on a bus in England and was playing for some county that season (Worcester I reckon) and a guy asked him if he remembers his wickets that season. He had a hell of a season. McGRath said, since he had time on his hands and the bus had a while to go, he borrowed and pen and paper and wrote down each of his 100 odd wickets, including the mode of dismissal and who was the fielder. Amazing, I would say!

Bump, Just read his interview on Cricinfo, what an amazing guy, what a champ!
He just mentioned this:
How quickly you remembered that dismissal. Do you still remember most of your dismissals?
Some dismissals I remember. Back when I had 360-370 Test wickets, I could sit here and write them all down in order and picture how I got them out. I guess that was my motivation, and my goal was taking wickets. Bit long in the tooth now and the brain does not work as well as it used to, but I can still remember certain series, certain Tests and what have you.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/773201.html

 

[soso_killer]

n terms of consistency he is 2nd bar non.
However I still rate Ambrose ahead of him due to destructive spells, which count a lot in my book.
Others might value consistency more and thus consider him the best amongst fast bowlers which would not be far-fetched either, this guy was that good.

 

[The_Odd_One]

McGrath is the greatest fast bowler of all time across all formats.

He was not robotic. He could extract very good bounce from any pitch due to his height and he had a nasty bouncer to surprise batsmen.

 

[Srtfan]

He was bowling tendulkar ,goat in all format

 

[BlackShadow]

Greatest of all time, both formats.

 

[Sam99]

Goat. Always big fan of him even tough he used to get few of my fav batsman as his bunny.

 

[Ab Fan]

Probably second to Marshall in test cricket and also second to Wasim in ODI cricket.

 

[dauntless]

I have not watched him live but tried watching his videos I found him quite boring to watch. I won't have him in my lineup.He is not even a fast bowler he is just a medium fast. I would pick wasim akram over him everyday and twice on Sunday.

 

[Sam99]

I have not watched him live but tried watching his videos I found him quite boring to watch. I won't have him in my lineup.He is not even a fast bowler he is just a medium fast. I would pick wasim akram over him everyday and twice on Sunday.

He might be boring but surely He would get key batsman out from opposition unlike others who mostly relied upon taking tailenders wickets.

 

[austerlitz]

Behind Ambrose in tests on ability,though not on stats.Best bowler is Marshall,he decimated India in india,aced everywhere.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Marshall
Ambrose
Mcgrath
Steyn

 

[FearlessRoar]

Glenn McGrath recognised in King’s Birthday Honours List 2024

Cricket Australia (CA) congratulates Glenn McGrath AM upon his recognition in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2024 for his contribution to community health and cricket.

McGrath was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for his work with the McGrath Foundation which has raised funds for 223 breast care nurses who have supported 137,000 families in communities across Australia since 2005.

This includes the 2024 NRMA Insurance Pink Test Match through which more than $6 million was raised to fund 47 McGrath Breast Care Nurses for a year.

McGrath was cited for his “distinguished service to community health through breast cancer support, and to cricket as an international coach”.

He was previously appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2008 for his services to cricket as a player and service to the community through the establishment of the McGrath Foundation.

Cricket Australia also congratulated those honoured for their work in their communities, including Raymond Steele (Member of the Order of Australia) and Paul McCann (Medal of the Order of Australia) who were cited specifically for their contribution to cricket.

Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia CEO, said:

“Congratulations to Glenn on this richly deserved recognition for the positive impact he has created through the McGrath Foundation.

“Glenn has done an amazing job in honouring his late wife Jane’s memory by ensuring thousands of Australians now have easier access to breast cancer nursing care.

“We are extremely proud to partner with the McGrath Foundation each year at the Pink Test and are indebted to the hard work and passion that Glenn and his incredible team at the McGrath Foundation bring to this wonderful cause, and to cricket.”

“Congratulations, also, to all those who were honoured for their work in communities across the country, particularly those who were cited for their involvement in cricket.

“Volunteers are the heartbeat of the game, and we are indebted for your service to cricket.”

 

[Romali_rotti]

Greatest fast bowler of all time for me.... No one was better than him and no one will be better than him.

GOAT

 

[Romali_rotti]

Just watched Ashes 2005 1st Test and Mcgrath was unbelievable...

Mohammad Asif was the only bowler who came remotely close to his action and accuracy...

Asif and McGrath are nothing alike.

Lol

 

[happydavy]

I don't even have to look at stats to agree to the OP. Anyone who watched cricket in late 90s and early 2000s would tell you that starting from Carribean islands to England to SA to India, Mcgrath was the most hated man in cricket. The guy would get your best batsmen out, and then would do that again in the next match and the match after that. Absolute best, i would say greatest fast bowler to ever play the game.

 

[Hitman]

Without a doubt. The man not only bullied but also embarrassed every great/good batsman of his time.No batsman has the better of him in the long run. The man dismissed Lara 16 times in Tests alone. He dismissed Tendulkar for a duck in the 99' WC, and for 4 in the 03' WC. He made a complete and utter fool of every well reputed batsman of his time. There is no criteria or department in both Tests and ODI's where he came second. He was always at the top whether it be performance in WC's, performance in Tournament Finals, performance in India where conditions are completely different and the batsmen are different beasts.

Glenn McGrath is without a shadow of a doubt the best fast bowler since the 90's till now.​

 

[Hitman]

Greatest fast bowler of all time for me.... No one was better than him and no one will be better than him.

GOAT

The only couple of guys whom I'd put in the same league are Dennis Lillee and Malcolm Marshall.

P.S. Remember how a blind fan was once claiming that peak to peak, Shoaib Akhtar was better?