Shane Warne picks his all time top 10 fast bowlers

[OMB]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">No particular order my top 10 fast bowlers….. <br><br>Lillee<br>Akram<br>Marshall<br>McGrath <br>Ambrose<br>Steyn <br>Hadlee<br>Thommo<br>Holding <br>Anderson</p>— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShaneWarne/status/1433019266102607876?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[OMB]

Only Anderson among them now an active player.

here have been so many others greats like Allan Donald, Imran Khan, Courtney Walsh or Andy Roberts.
His list after all

 

[gazza619]

Solid list.

Wish I could squeeze Imran Khan in there somehow…

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Solid list.

Wish I could squeeze Imran Khan in there somehow…

Easy, replace Hadlee with Khan.

 

[volcyz]

Easy, replace Hadlee with Khan.

lol biggest joke

 

[Robert]

That I have seen, no particular order except Marshall was king….

Lillee
McGrath
Garner
Marshall
Ambrose
Imran
Wasim
Hadlee
Steyn
Donald

 

[Robert]

Solid list.

Wish I could squeeze Imran Khan in there somehow…

Easy, drop Anderson.

 

[Ab Fan]

Everyone rates Wasim Akram highly. It will not be wrong to say that 100 years later, when people will talk about the truly great fast bowlers of the previous century, they will still mention:-

Dennis Lillee
Malcolm Marshall
Glenn McGrath
Wasim Akram
Dale Steyn

These five will be remembered 100 years later also. Others like Ambrose, Hadlee, Donald and Imran are also truly great but they won't be remembered as highly as the above listed five names which includes Wasim Akram and Dale Steyn also.

 

[Robert]

lol biggest joke

Why so? With Marshall, Hadlee and Imran were the best eighties fast bowlers.

 

[Robert]

Everyone rates Wasim Akram highly. It will not be wrong to say that 100 years later, when people will talk about the truly great fast bowlers of the previous century, they will still mention:-

Dennis Lillee
Malcolm Marshall
Glenn McGrath
Wasim Akram
Dale Steyn

These five will be remembered 100 years later also. Others like Ambrose, Hadlee, Donald and Imran are also truly great but they won't be remembered as highly as the above listed five names which includes Wasim Akram and Dale Steyn also.

Best by decade:

1950s- Lindwall, Miller, Trueman
1960s- Hall, Davidson
1970s- Lillee, Roberts
1980s- Imran, Hadlee, Marshall
1990s- Wasim, Waqar, Walsh, Ambrose

 

[Last Monetarist]

For me:

Marshall
McGrath
Ambrose
Hadlee
Steyn
Lillee
Donald
Imran
Wasim
Anderson

 

[Titan24]

Solid list but, dont think Jeff Thomson (If by Thommo he means that) falls into that category with test average of 28 irrespective of how quick he was or what his impact was.

 

[mastimasti]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">No particular order my top 10 fast bowlers….. <br><br>Lillee<br>Akram<br>Marshall<br>McGrath <br>Ambrose<br>Steyn <br>Hadlee<br>Thommo<br>Holding <br>Anderson</p>— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShaneWarne/status/1433019266102607876?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This is Warneys list and obviously subjective but Thommo is nowhere close....Waqar should be in there, Imran. As much as I love Hadlee but noway.

 

[Bewal Express]

Best by decade:

1950s- Lindwall, Miller, Trueman
1960s- Hall, Davidson
1970s- Lillee, Roberts
1980s- Imran, Hadlee, Marshall
1990s- Wasim, Waqar, Walsh, Ambrose

A list without AD in the 90s And Joel in the 80s?

 

[Bewal Express]

For me:

Marshall
McGrath
Ambrose
Hadlee
Steyn
Lillee
Donald
Imran
Wasim
Anderson

Any top 10 list without Joel Garner is incomplete

 

[Ab Fan]

For me:

Marshall
McGrath
Ambrose
Hadlee
Steyn
Lillee
Donald
Imran
Wasim
Anderson

The first 9 names are pretty much given in every neutral list.

After that, you have the likes of Waqar, Pollock, Anderson , Walsh, Roberts, Garner, Holding etc at same level or based on personal preferences.

 

[Ab Fan]

Best by decade:

1950s- Lindwall, Miller, Trueman
1960s- Hall, Davidson
1970s- Lillee, Roberts
1980s- Imran, Hadlee, Marshall
1990s- Wasim, Waqar, Walsh, Ambrose

Donald over Walsh and even Waqar.

1990s- Wasim, Ambrose, Donald, Waqar

 

[Last Monetarist]

Any top 10 list without Joel Garner is incomplete

Can't squeeze him in, I'm afraid.

If anyone thinks that the highest wicket-taking fast bowler in history shouldn't be part of such a list, then I can't really help them.

 

[Robert]

Donald over Walsh and even Waqar.

1990s- Wasim, Ambrose, Donald, Waqar

Ah fair point. Donald had that superlative strike rate. One can only imagine how many wickets he would have had he not had to wait until age 26 to play tests.

 

[Robert]

Can't squeeze him in, I'm afraid.

If anyone thinks that the highest wicket-taking fast bowler in history shouldn't be part of such a list, then I can't really help them.

Well by that measure, Botham was a better bowler than Trueman, Lillee, Holding, Roberts Garner but he just wasn’t.

 

[Robert]

Solid list but, dont think Jeff Thomson (If by Thommo he means that) falls into that category with test average of 28 irrespective of how quick he was or what his impact was.

Agreed. He was a terror in 1974-76 but after that shoulder injury was merely very good.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Well by that measure, Botham was a better bowler than Trueman, Lillee, Holding, Roberts Garner but he just wasn’t.

We disagree on the matter, it's quite alright.

 

[Bewal Express]

Donald over Walsh and even Waqar.

1990s- Wasim, Ambrose, Donald, Waqar

Mcgrath should also be in the 90s list

 

[Ab Fan]

Mcgrath should also be in the 90s list

He debuted in 1995. If McGrath should be there, then same applies for Pollock too. He was just phenomenal in 90s, going toe to toe with McGrath but regressed after 2001.

 

[Bewal Express]

He debuted in 1995. If McGrath should be there, then same applies for Pollock too. He was just phenomenal in 90s, going toe to toe with McGrath but regressed after 2001.

I think it was 93 and he was brilliant in the 90s

 

[gazza619]

Easy, drop Anderson.

Anderson is a genius. To maintain and sustain his bowling action for such a long period with all the fitness and work ethic, not to mention the number of wickets he has taken deserves him the right to be in the top 10.

If I have my way I would replace Steyn and put in Imran Khan but then I may be biased.

 

[Ab Fan]

I think it was 93 and he was brilliant in the 90s

Yeah, I re-checked. Definitely, can be considered.

 

[Saurav]

Lillee took a grand total of 6 wickets in Asia @ 68,Thomson was even worse.Its amazing how subcontinent players are expected to perform everywhere but the same doesnt apply to SENA players

My top 10

McGrath
Steyn
Wasim
Marshall
Imran
Donald
Pollock(very underrated)
Hadlee
Ambrose
Anderson

 

[Faiz1978]

lol biggest joke

Just check Imran Khan record as a bowler from 1977 to 1983, you will understand how good he was .

 

[amax]

Shane warne has mentioned multiple times that wasim and lillee are the best quicks he has seen , he also said this in tendulker vs warne tournament in USA

here is one such instance

at 8:03

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWQcl1BW6WE

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Does any Cricketer in history get as much peer recognition as Wasim Akram? Only Viv Richards comes to mind.

 

[Mamoon]

Everyone rates Wasim Akram highly. It will not be wrong to say that 100 years later, when people will talk about the truly great fast bowlers of the previous century, they will still mention:-

Dennis Lillee
Malcolm Marshall
Glenn McGrath
Wasim Akram
Dale Steyn

These five will be remembered 100 years later also. Others like Ambrose, Hadlee, Donald and Imran are also truly great but they won't be remembered as highly as the above listed five names which includes Wasim Akram and Dale Steyn also.

You can safely remove Steyn from this list. He already gets minimal recognition compared to other legendary pacers, and in 100 years, he will barely be remembered.

The reason is that legacies are determined by not only Test cricket purists but also by the majority fans who take limited interest in Test cricket.

The common fan is not enchanted by Steyn to the same extent as they are with McGrath, Wasim etc. because he had a forgettable LOI career & and South Africa did not win any trophies either.

Stern will only be remembered by the Test cricket purists and the percentage of these purists are diminishing rapidly.

 

[Bewal Express]

I watched my 1st match in 1982. And the bowlers I have seen are in my list.It's too much to put them in order and i didn't see Lillee but it goes without saying that he is one of the best ever. This is only for Test bowlers I have seen.
Marshall
Garner
Mcgrath
Donald
Hadlee
Imran
Wasim
Ambrose
Steyn
Bond
Akhtar

I only saw a few tests of Mikey and he wasn't fit after injuries. Jimmy is brilliant with the Duke and good with kookaburra but it's my list of these bowlers in all conditions

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Does any Cricketer in history get as much peer recognition as Wasim Akram? Only Viv Richards comes to mind.

Sachin and Lara definitely.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

My list would be (only tests) :

1.Marshall
2.Mcgrath
3.Ambrose
4.Hadlee
5.Steyn
6.Wasim
7.Imran
8.Lillee
9.Donald
10.Garner.

 

[Saj]

Does any Cricketer in history get as much peer recognition as Wasim Akram? Only Viv Richards comes to mind.

Deservedly so.

The man was a genius with the ball.

 

[ElRaja]

only tests, those ive seen decent amount of live or on youtube.

no order

pak
imran
wasim

wi
marshall
ambrose
garner

aus
mcgrath

nz
hadlee

sa
donald
steyn

eng
anderson

my ideal 4+1 combo

mcgrath
akram
ambrose
donald
imran

 

[TheSultan]

Best by decade:

1950s- Lindwall, Miller, Trueman
1960s- Hall, Davidson
1970s- Lillee, Roberts
1980s- Imran, Hadlee, Marshall
1990s- Wasim, Waqar, Walsh, Ambrose

Great list, a few additions:

70s: Holding
80s: Garner
90s: Donald

But overall the names in the list are spot on

 

[moghul]

solid list , had to argue , if could make a change, will replace Thommo or Styne with Waqar

 

[MesonK]

No Ishant and Shami the 15 years old ?

 

[PakLFC]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">No particular order my top 10 fast bowlers….. <br><br>Lillee<br>Akram<br>Marshall<br>McGrath <br>Ambrose<br>Steyn <br>Hadlee<br>Thommo<br>Holding <br>Anderson</p>— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShaneWarne/status/1433019266102607876?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Interesting! Hey India fans Warny does not think any bowler from your "best attack of all time" is worthy of being on the list. What say, Shami??

 

[OMB]

Interesting! Hey India fans Warny does not think any bowler from your "best attack of all time" is worthy of being on the list. What say, Shami??

Knew this quality discussion would come to a stop at this point.

 

[OMB]

IMO Garner may not be in top 10. or Walsh name comes up more due to the fact that he and Ambrose were among the last ones in a declining windies super-bowlers and Walsh broke Kapil Dev’s record and was the first one to reach the landmark of 500 wickets.

Gavaskar always maintained that Andy Robert’s was the most dangerous among the pace bowlers of that time.

 

[PakLFC]

Knew this quality discussion would come to a stop at this point.

I have only added to the debate. Pak only has one player too.

 

[PakLFC]

Courtney Walsh is one bowler who deserves more recognition. Once the highest wicket taker in Tests the poor man hardly gets a mention anywhere. Was an incredibly hard worker although not the most talented or best to watch. One could also argue that Waqar was more talented then Anderson.

 

[PakLFC]

My top ten would always include Allan Donald. He was a brilliant bowler too. As a Pak fan was I always worried about him whenever we played South Africa. A genuine fast bowler no doubt about it putting the fear of the devil in batsmen's hearts. Also, would have been interesting to see how far Brett Lee had gone if he was not so injury prone.

 

[Ab Fan]

Shaun Pollock is pretty underrated too. For the 10th spot in my all time fast bowler list between Waqar, Pollock, Roberts and Anderson, I will pick Shaun Pollock. 400+ and 393 wickets in both Tests and ODIs respectively.

 

[Junaids]

The man is an absolute cretin!

All time?

So where is Harold Larwood? The man who cut Bradman down to size?

Or Fred Trueman, who after Marshall was the next greatest quick bowler the world has ever seen!

And speaking of which, how can anybody put Wasim Akram ahead of Alan Davidson? It’s close, but Davo was clearly marginally better with both bat and ball.

 

[Junaids]

1. Malcolm Marshall
2. Fred Trueman
3. Dennis Lillee
4. Harold Larwood
5. Glenn McGrath
6. Alan Davidson
7. Mike Procter
8. Dale Steyn
9. Sir Richard Hadlee
10. Curtly Ambrose

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

The man is an absolute cretin!

All time?

So where is Harold Larwood? The man who cut Bradman down to size?

Or Fred Trueman, who after Marshall was the next greatest quick bowler the world has ever seen!

And speaking of which, how can anybody put Wasim Akram ahead of Alan Davidson? It’s close, but Davo was clearly marginally better with both bat and ball.

Actually he mentioned "top 10 of the last 50 years" in the previous tweet.

 

[Junaids]

Actually he mentioned "top 10 of the last 50 years" in the previous tweet.

So not “all time” then.

Still no way on Earth you can get Thomson, Anderson or Holding ahead of Mike Procter. It’s not even close!

 

[Junaids]

Thomson and Holding played in the second half of Procter’s career.

They were marginally quicker than him (160 v 155 v 150) but neither of them could swing or seam it.

I’ve never heard anyone call Thommo or Holding a better bowler than Procter.

It’s like calling Shaun Tait or Brett Lee a better Test bowler than Dale Steyn. It’s comical.

 

[rockyboy2018]

Young Waqar Younis


then everyone else.

 

[Ahmad-GERMANFC]

Lillee and Thomson shouldn’t be on that list

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

So not “all time” then.

Still no way on Earth you can get Thomson, Anderson or Holding ahead of Mike Procter. It’s not even close!

Procter was a great first class cricketer , Warne only picked great TEST bowlers.

 

[Ab Fan]

The man is an absolute cretin!

All time?

So where is Harold Larwood? The man who cut Bradman down to size?

Or Fred Trueman, who after Marshall was the next greatest quick bowler the world has ever seen!

And speaking of which, how can anybody put Wasim Akram ahead of Alan Davidson? It’s close, but Davo was clearly marginally better with both bat and ball.

I have seen Alan Davidson's bowling footage. He reminds me more of Chaminda Vaas than Wasim Akram.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

I know whom I'd rather be facing on most surfaces between Anderson and Imran.

And Thompson is just a countryman pick.

Other than that, a good list.

 

[hk031992]

Good list. It is subjective after all

Mine (no order)

Akram
Ambrose
Marshall
Steyn
Imran
McGrath
Hadlee
Donald
Lillee
Holding

 

[OMB]

If their career had progressed smoothly (and without those controversies) ,
Do you think M. Amir and M. Asif would have broken into the top 10 list?

 

[hitthestump]

If their career had progressed smoothly (and without those controversies) ,
Do you think M. Amir and M. Asif would have broken into the top 10 list?

No, because both have proved that fixing wasn't a one off brain fade. Controversy would have found it's way throughout their careers regardless.

 

[Bewal Express]

If their career had progressed smoothly (and without those controversies) ,
Do you think M. Amir and M. Asif would have broken into the top 10 list?

Asif had the potential

 

[Justcrazy]

Best Test fast bowlers ( My Opinion , not in any order )

Dale Styen
MacGrath
Ambrose
Marshall
Donald
Lillie
Holding
Imran
Haddle
Waqar