Harsh Thakor
First Class Star
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2012
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- 3,519
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In order of merit this is my pick of the best test match bowling performances counting both the innings in a test match in Australia by an overseas pace bowler.It has excluded only one sensational spell and only counted performances of great spells in both innings.Only included 10 wicket hauls and basically 5 wicket hauls in both innings of a single test match.Excluded best spells of Ambrose and Sarafraz Nawaz as they were outstanding in only one innings.
1.Richard Hadlee's 9-52 and 6-71at Brisbane in 1985-86
Displayed control at it's supreme zenith bewildering opponents with sideways movement.
2.Imran Khan's -6-63 and 6-102 at Sydney in 1976-77
One of the greatest marathon spells of pace bowling ever displaying the heart of a lion .Above all created history for Pakistan who won their 1st test ever on Australian soil and drew a rubber there for the 1st time.
3.Malcolm Marshall's 5-69 and 5-38 at Adelaide in 1984-85
Exhibition of pace bowing at it's epitome of perfection be it bounce,pace ,swing or cut.Dismissed the likes of David Boon , Keppler Wesels and Alan Border with deliveries that could be preserved in a museum creating unplayable skidding bounce.On a flat track the exhibition of a genius.
4.Wasim Akram's 6-62 and 5-98 at Melbourne in 1989090
For sheer prowess the best bowling I have ever sen by a paceman,taking the art of fast bowling to it's highest zenith.Never in Australia did a pace bower display as much variety or as much mastery of the art of reverse swing .Wasim's bowling posessed every ingredient of a perfect fast bower be it speed,bounce.control,accuracy,movement or variations.Displayed skill of a magician when trapping David Boon,and getting Steve Waugh caught behind.Also dismised Mark Taylor and Alan Border with gems.Placed below Marshall's and Imran's hauls because Pakistan lost the test.
5.Michael Holding's 6-62 and 5-45 at Melbourne in 1981-82
Never in Australia has a paceman blended speed through the air with accuracy and movement or grace as Holding did here.For sheer artistry should have been preserved in a museum.The ball came slithering through at a blistering speed inspite of an absolutely effortless action reminiscent of a swan swimming.
6.Curtly Ambrose's 6-74 and 4-46 in 1992-93 at Adelaide
Lethal combination of pace ,bounce and accuracy .Created a sensational twist to the tale.
7.Ian Botham's 6-78 and 5-98 at Perth in 1979-80
England lost but Botham displayed mastery in foxing batsmen with his intelligent swing and changes of pace.
1.Richard Hadlee's 9-52 and 6-71at Brisbane in 1985-86
Displayed control at it's supreme zenith bewildering opponents with sideways movement.
2.Imran Khan's -6-63 and 6-102 at Sydney in 1976-77
One of the greatest marathon spells of pace bowling ever displaying the heart of a lion .Above all created history for Pakistan who won their 1st test ever on Australian soil and drew a rubber there for the 1st time.
3.Malcolm Marshall's 5-69 and 5-38 at Adelaide in 1984-85
Exhibition of pace bowing at it's epitome of perfection be it bounce,pace ,swing or cut.Dismissed the likes of David Boon , Keppler Wesels and Alan Border with deliveries that could be preserved in a museum creating unplayable skidding bounce.On a flat track the exhibition of a genius.
4.Wasim Akram's 6-62 and 5-98 at Melbourne in 1989090
For sheer prowess the best bowling I have ever sen by a paceman,taking the art of fast bowling to it's highest zenith.Never in Australia did a pace bower display as much variety or as much mastery of the art of reverse swing .Wasim's bowling posessed every ingredient of a perfect fast bower be it speed,bounce.control,accuracy,movement or variations.Displayed skill of a magician when trapping David Boon,and getting Steve Waugh caught behind.Also dismised Mark Taylor and Alan Border with gems.Placed below Marshall's and Imran's hauls because Pakistan lost the test.
5.Michael Holding's 6-62 and 5-45 at Melbourne in 1981-82
Never in Australia has a paceman blended speed through the air with accuracy and movement or grace as Holding did here.For sheer artistry should have been preserved in a museum.The ball came slithering through at a blistering speed inspite of an absolutely effortless action reminiscent of a swan swimming.
6.Curtly Ambrose's 6-74 and 4-46 in 1992-93 at Adelaide
Lethal combination of pace ,bounce and accuracy .Created a sensational twist to the tale.
7.Ian Botham's 6-78 and 5-98 at Perth in 1979-80
England lost but Botham displayed mastery in foxing batsmen with his intelligent swing and changes of pace.
Cricket was the esteem sports even 100+ years back - undivided India's first sports icon was KS Ranji, after that Prof. Deodhar. Regarding the status of top cricketers in India, before Gavaskar, may be Anju Mahendra, Sharmila Tagore or Zinat Aman would disagree with you.
jid
