Harsh Thakor
First Class Star
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2012
- Runs
- 3,514
- Post of the Week
- 2
WHO WAS THE BEST TEST MATCH PACE BOWLER OVERSEAS?
Glen Mcgrath was pace bolwing's ultimate metronome .No paceman bar Hadlee equalled his control and arguably no paceman was more intelligent.He did not posess the lightning speed of Shoaib Akhtar,the versatality of Wasim Akram , the agression of Dennis Lillee or the sher accuracy of Curtly Ambrose but he posessed every ingredient required of apace bowler in perfect proportion.No pacemAN worked out a great batsmen's weaknesses with as powerful insight as Mcgrath.In terms of longevity he surpassed the likes of Marshall ,Lillee or Wasim.Consistently Mcgrath's performances in West Indies overshadowed that of Marshall's in Australia and he was more successful than Marshall in England.For sheer endurance Mcgrath was ahead of Marshall.Statistically Mcgrath is right at the top.-having a better overall bowling average overseas and a considerably higher haul of scalps.
Mlacolm Marshall was still more the complete package even if Mcgrath who was the more tenacious and had greater longevity.Marshall was more agressive ,attacking and creative than Mcgrath who displayed more consistent control .Mcgrath never equalled Marshall's effort 33 scalps in India in 1983-84 or 16 in Pakistan in 1986.I place Marshal's 35 scalp performance in England in 1988 above Mcgrath's 36 scalps in England in 1997 as he played one test less.Marshall was more versatile or innovative and considerably quicker.I feel he would have been more the scourge for greats like Gavaskar,Chappell brothers and Tendulkar than Mcgrath with his variations and slithering bounce.No paceman created more tremors in the opposition camp.Exactly equal strike rate to Mcgrath overseas and almost equal test average.
GLEN MCGRATH OVERSEAS
away 1994-2005 55 106 2161.1 655 5551 260 8/38 10/78 21.35 2.56 49.8 18 1
MALCOLM MARSHAL OVERSEAS
away 1978-1991 50 93 1818.4 408 4726 219 7/22 10/92 21.57 2.59 49.8 14 2 view innings
Notably Mcgrath and Marshall have an exactly equal strike rate and a difference of only 0.22 in bowling average .
OTHER NOTABLE CONTESTANTS
Statistically and even morally Imran Khan could join the company of best overseas.A class act in West Indies in 1977 and 1988 ,at his best in Australia in 1976-77 and 1981-82 and at his best in England in 1982 and 1987.Not as skilled as the very best but a harder trier than anyone.Championed many a losing cause but also was responsible for pulling off historic wins for Pakistan like at Sydney in 1976-77 , at Leeds in 1987 or at Georgetown in 1988 which had major role in shaping the history of Pakistan cricket.Notable that he was outstanding against West Indies, arguably the best test team of all time on their home pitches
Although statistically not right up there morally Andy Roberts was in the Mcgrath-Marshal class championing a cause as much on the sub-continent as in England or Australia.32 wickets at 19-81 in 5 tests in India in 1974-75 was a great acheivement as well as 27 wickets in England in 1976 or 22 wickets in Australia in 1975-76.Andy simply had the adaptability in all types of conditions.Andy was as much at home on the fast Australian tracks,seaming English conditions and flat sub-continent pitches.
Courtney Walsh was like Mcgrath,another metronome amongst pace bowlers.For sheer endurance he surpassed any Calypso great.Statistically he was the best ever West Indian paceman on the sub-continent .Not at his best in England and Australia but could be more effective than Marshal or Ambrose in New Zealand or the sub-continent.Phenomenal haul of 290 scalps overseas.Statistically in the Marshall-Mcgrath class in terms of scalps.On the sub-continent close to the very best of all overseas paceman.
ANDY ROBERTS OVERSEAS
away 1974-1983 29 56 6961 3104 130 7/54 12/121 23.87 2.67 53.5 9 2
IMRAN KHAN OVERSEAS
away 1978-1991 50 93 1818.4 408 4726 219 7/22 10/92 21.57 2.59 49.8 14 2 view innings
COURTNEY WALSH OVERSEAS
away 1971-1990 50 83 11785 5127 199 7/40 12/165 25.76 2.61 59.2 13 3
GREATS WHO DID NOT MAKE THE SLOT.
Denis Lillee never toured India and hardly played in Pakistan so inspite of having been outstanding in England and New Zealand is ruled out here.
Richard Hadlee was a champion on Australian pitches and in England but hardly proved himself in the sub -continent or completely in the West Indies.
Dale Steyn has an outstanding record but still at not a his best in England and Australia.Surprisingly the best in Indian conditions.
Wasim Akram was lethal but often affected by injury or team dissensions.At his best perhaps better than anybody like in Australia in 1989-90 ,in New Zealand in 1994 or in England in 1992 .More talented or lethal but lacked the agression and determination of Imran Khan.Under performed in South Africa .
Curtly Ambrose was arguably the best ever in Australia and right up there in England and New Zealand but not at his best in the sub-continent.
CONCLUSION
Overall my best 5 Overseas test pace bowlers were Mcgrath,Marshall,Walsh,Roberts and Imran. Wasim was right up there,but only at his best.A virtual photo between Marshall and Mcgrath but would give the nod to Marshall for his sheer skill.At 3rd place Andy would just nose Imran because he was more complete .At 5th place I would rank Walsh for his outstanding efforts on the subcontinent and phenomenal tenacity..At his best Wasim would have been at no 1 but was often plagued by injury or team problems.
GLEN MCGRATH OVERSEAS TEST BOWLING STATISTICS-FROM CRICINFO
in England 1997-2005 14 28 578.1 145 1683 87 8/38 9/82 19.34 2.91 39.8 8 0 view innings
in India 1996-2004 8 16 313.2 123 703 33 4/18 7/121 21.30 2.24 56.9 0 0 view innings
in New Zealand 2000-2005 6 12 241.4 87 552 30 6/115 7/89 18.40 2.28 48.3 1 0 view innings
in Pakistan 1994-1998 5 9 201.0 49 589 19 5/66 5/106 31.00 2.93 63.4 1 0 view innings
in South Africa 1994-2002 8 14 305.2 95 685 29 6/86 8/49 23.62 2.24 63.1 2 0 view innings
in Sri Lanka 1999-2002 4 7 108.1 34 292 10 3/38 4/78 29.20 2.69 64.9 0 0 view innings
in U.A.E. 2002-2002 2 4 36.0 12 74 10 4/41 7/59 7.40 2.05 21.6 0 0 view innings
in West Indies 1995-2003 10 20 398.5 118 1035 50 6/47 10/78 20.70 2.59 47.8 6 1 view innings
in Zimbabwe 1999-1999 1 2 54.0 19 90 6 3/44 6/90 15.00 1.66 54.0 0 0 view innings
MALCOLM MARSHALL OVERSEAS TEST BOWLING RECORD-FROM CRICINFO
in Australia 1984-1989 10 19 407.2 87 1042 45 5/29 10/107 23.15 2.55 54.3 5 1 view innings
in England 1980-1991 18 35 715.3 177 1758 94 7/22 10/92 18.70 2.45 45.6 6 1 view innings
in India 1978-1983 9 15 299.0 70 886 36 6/37 9/102 24.61 2.96 49.8 2 0 view innings
in New Zealand 1987-1987 3 5 119.0 21 289 9 4/43 6/114 32.11 2.42 79.3 0 0 view innings
in Pakistan 1980-1990 10 19 277.5 53 751 35 5/33 6/47 21.45 2.70 47.6 1 0 view innings
COURTNEY WALSH OVERSEAS RECORD
in Australia 1984-2001 25 45 890.3 182 2472 72 5/74 7/123 34.33 2.77 74.2 2 0 view innings
in England 1988-2000 21 40 854.4 231 2127 87 6/74 10/117 24.44 2.48 58.9 3 1 view innings
in India 1987-1994 7 13 278.0 55 798 43 6/79 9/94 18.55 2.87 38.7 3 0 view innings
in New Zealand 1987-1999 7 13 268.2 59 664 32 7/37 13/55 20.75 2.47 50.3 3 1 view innings
in Pakistan 1986-1997 9 16 272.4 51 723 33 5/78 7/77 21.90 2.65 49.5 2 0 view innings
in South Africa 1998-1999 4 8 158.5 36 416 22 6/80 7/111 18.90 2.61 43.3 1 0 view innings
in Sri Lanka 1993-1993 1 2 30.1 10 60 1 1/40 1/60 60.00 1.98 181.0 0 0 view innings
ANDY ROBERTS OVERSEAS RECORD
in Australia 1975-1982 10 20 2262 1054 39 7/54 9/119 27.02 2.79 58.0 1 0 view innings
in England 1976-1980 8 16 1962 799 39 6/37 10/123 20.48 2.44 50.3 4 1 view innings
in India 1974-1983 7 13 1585 733 37 7/64 12/121 19.81 2.77 42.8 3 1 view innings
in New Zealand 1980-1980 2 3 432 196 3 2/82 2/82 65.33 2.72 144.0 0 0 view innings
in Pakistan 1975-1975 2 4 720 322 12 5/66 9/187 26.83 2.68 60.0 1 0 view innings
IMRAN KHAN OVERSEAS RECORD
in Australia 1976-1990 13 20 3038 1283 45 6/63 12/165 28.51 2.53 67.5 3 1 view innings
in England 1971-1987 12 19 2919 1158 47 7/40 10/77 24.63 2.38 62.1 4 1 view innings
in India 1979-1987 10 15 1653 757 27 5/63 9/130 28.03 2.74 61.2 2 0 view innings
in New Zealand 1979-1989 4 7 1283 453 17 5/106 6/109 26.64 2.11 75.4 1 0 view innings
in Sri Lanka 1986-1986 3 6 696 270 15 4/69 6/125 18.00 2.32 46.4 0 0 view innings
in West Indies 1977-1988 8 16 2196 1206 48 7/80 11/121 25.12 3.29 45.7 3 1 view innings
Glen Mcgrath was pace bolwing's ultimate metronome .No paceman bar Hadlee equalled his control and arguably no paceman was more intelligent.He did not posess the lightning speed of Shoaib Akhtar,the versatality of Wasim Akram , the agression of Dennis Lillee or the sher accuracy of Curtly Ambrose but he posessed every ingredient required of apace bowler in perfect proportion.No pacemAN worked out a great batsmen's weaknesses with as powerful insight as Mcgrath.In terms of longevity he surpassed the likes of Marshall ,Lillee or Wasim.Consistently Mcgrath's performances in West Indies overshadowed that of Marshall's in Australia and he was more successful than Marshall in England.For sheer endurance Mcgrath was ahead of Marshall.Statistically Mcgrath is right at the top.-having a better overall bowling average overseas and a considerably higher haul of scalps.
Mlacolm Marshall was still more the complete package even if Mcgrath who was the more tenacious and had greater longevity.Marshall was more agressive ,attacking and creative than Mcgrath who displayed more consistent control .Mcgrath never equalled Marshall's effort 33 scalps in India in 1983-84 or 16 in Pakistan in 1986.I place Marshal's 35 scalp performance in England in 1988 above Mcgrath's 36 scalps in England in 1997 as he played one test less.Marshall was more versatile or innovative and considerably quicker.I feel he would have been more the scourge for greats like Gavaskar,Chappell brothers and Tendulkar than Mcgrath with his variations and slithering bounce.No paceman created more tremors in the opposition camp.Exactly equal strike rate to Mcgrath overseas and almost equal test average.
GLEN MCGRATH OVERSEAS
away 1994-2005 55 106 2161.1 655 5551 260 8/38 10/78 21.35 2.56 49.8 18 1
MALCOLM MARSHAL OVERSEAS
away 1978-1991 50 93 1818.4 408 4726 219 7/22 10/92 21.57 2.59 49.8 14 2 view innings
Notably Mcgrath and Marshall have an exactly equal strike rate and a difference of only 0.22 in bowling average .
OTHER NOTABLE CONTESTANTS
Statistically and even morally Imran Khan could join the company of best overseas.A class act in West Indies in 1977 and 1988 ,at his best in Australia in 1976-77 and 1981-82 and at his best in England in 1982 and 1987.Not as skilled as the very best but a harder trier than anyone.Championed many a losing cause but also was responsible for pulling off historic wins for Pakistan like at Sydney in 1976-77 , at Leeds in 1987 or at Georgetown in 1988 which had major role in shaping the history of Pakistan cricket.Notable that he was outstanding against West Indies, arguably the best test team of all time on their home pitches
Although statistically not right up there morally Andy Roberts was in the Mcgrath-Marshal class championing a cause as much on the sub-continent as in England or Australia.32 wickets at 19-81 in 5 tests in India in 1974-75 was a great acheivement as well as 27 wickets in England in 1976 or 22 wickets in Australia in 1975-76.Andy simply had the adaptability in all types of conditions.Andy was as much at home on the fast Australian tracks,seaming English conditions and flat sub-continent pitches.
Courtney Walsh was like Mcgrath,another metronome amongst pace bowlers.For sheer endurance he surpassed any Calypso great.Statistically he was the best ever West Indian paceman on the sub-continent .Not at his best in England and Australia but could be more effective than Marshal or Ambrose in New Zealand or the sub-continent.Phenomenal haul of 290 scalps overseas.Statistically in the Marshall-Mcgrath class in terms of scalps.On the sub-continent close to the very best of all overseas paceman.
ANDY ROBERTS OVERSEAS
away 1974-1983 29 56 6961 3104 130 7/54 12/121 23.87 2.67 53.5 9 2
IMRAN KHAN OVERSEAS
away 1978-1991 50 93 1818.4 408 4726 219 7/22 10/92 21.57 2.59 49.8 14 2 view innings
COURTNEY WALSH OVERSEAS
away 1971-1990 50 83 11785 5127 199 7/40 12/165 25.76 2.61 59.2 13 3
GREATS WHO DID NOT MAKE THE SLOT.
Denis Lillee never toured India and hardly played in Pakistan so inspite of having been outstanding in England and New Zealand is ruled out here.
Richard Hadlee was a champion on Australian pitches and in England but hardly proved himself in the sub -continent or completely in the West Indies.
Dale Steyn has an outstanding record but still at not a his best in England and Australia.Surprisingly the best in Indian conditions.
Wasim Akram was lethal but often affected by injury or team dissensions.At his best perhaps better than anybody like in Australia in 1989-90 ,in New Zealand in 1994 or in England in 1992 .More talented or lethal but lacked the agression and determination of Imran Khan.Under performed in South Africa .
Curtly Ambrose was arguably the best ever in Australia and right up there in England and New Zealand but not at his best in the sub-continent.
CONCLUSION
Overall my best 5 Overseas test pace bowlers were Mcgrath,Marshall,Walsh,Roberts and Imran. Wasim was right up there,but only at his best.A virtual photo between Marshall and Mcgrath but would give the nod to Marshall for his sheer skill.At 3rd place Andy would just nose Imran because he was more complete .At 5th place I would rank Walsh for his outstanding efforts on the subcontinent and phenomenal tenacity..At his best Wasim would have been at no 1 but was often plagued by injury or team problems.
GLEN MCGRATH OVERSEAS TEST BOWLING STATISTICS-FROM CRICINFO
in England 1997-2005 14 28 578.1 145 1683 87 8/38 9/82 19.34 2.91 39.8 8 0 view innings
in India 1996-2004 8 16 313.2 123 703 33 4/18 7/121 21.30 2.24 56.9 0 0 view innings
in New Zealand 2000-2005 6 12 241.4 87 552 30 6/115 7/89 18.40 2.28 48.3 1 0 view innings
in Pakistan 1994-1998 5 9 201.0 49 589 19 5/66 5/106 31.00 2.93 63.4 1 0 view innings
in South Africa 1994-2002 8 14 305.2 95 685 29 6/86 8/49 23.62 2.24 63.1 2 0 view innings
in Sri Lanka 1999-2002 4 7 108.1 34 292 10 3/38 4/78 29.20 2.69 64.9 0 0 view innings
in U.A.E. 2002-2002 2 4 36.0 12 74 10 4/41 7/59 7.40 2.05 21.6 0 0 view innings
in West Indies 1995-2003 10 20 398.5 118 1035 50 6/47 10/78 20.70 2.59 47.8 6 1 view innings
in Zimbabwe 1999-1999 1 2 54.0 19 90 6 3/44 6/90 15.00 1.66 54.0 0 0 view innings
MALCOLM MARSHALL OVERSEAS TEST BOWLING RECORD-FROM CRICINFO
in Australia 1984-1989 10 19 407.2 87 1042 45 5/29 10/107 23.15 2.55 54.3 5 1 view innings
in England 1980-1991 18 35 715.3 177 1758 94 7/22 10/92 18.70 2.45 45.6 6 1 view innings
in India 1978-1983 9 15 299.0 70 886 36 6/37 9/102 24.61 2.96 49.8 2 0 view innings
in New Zealand 1987-1987 3 5 119.0 21 289 9 4/43 6/114 32.11 2.42 79.3 0 0 view innings
in Pakistan 1980-1990 10 19 277.5 53 751 35 5/33 6/47 21.45 2.70 47.6 1 0 view innings
COURTNEY WALSH OVERSEAS RECORD
in Australia 1984-2001 25 45 890.3 182 2472 72 5/74 7/123 34.33 2.77 74.2 2 0 view innings
in England 1988-2000 21 40 854.4 231 2127 87 6/74 10/117 24.44 2.48 58.9 3 1 view innings
in India 1987-1994 7 13 278.0 55 798 43 6/79 9/94 18.55 2.87 38.7 3 0 view innings
in New Zealand 1987-1999 7 13 268.2 59 664 32 7/37 13/55 20.75 2.47 50.3 3 1 view innings
in Pakistan 1986-1997 9 16 272.4 51 723 33 5/78 7/77 21.90 2.65 49.5 2 0 view innings
in South Africa 1998-1999 4 8 158.5 36 416 22 6/80 7/111 18.90 2.61 43.3 1 0 view innings
in Sri Lanka 1993-1993 1 2 30.1 10 60 1 1/40 1/60 60.00 1.98 181.0 0 0 view innings
ANDY ROBERTS OVERSEAS RECORD
in Australia 1975-1982 10 20 2262 1054 39 7/54 9/119 27.02 2.79 58.0 1 0 view innings
in England 1976-1980 8 16 1962 799 39 6/37 10/123 20.48 2.44 50.3 4 1 view innings
in India 1974-1983 7 13 1585 733 37 7/64 12/121 19.81 2.77 42.8 3 1 view innings
in New Zealand 1980-1980 2 3 432 196 3 2/82 2/82 65.33 2.72 144.0 0 0 view innings
in Pakistan 1975-1975 2 4 720 322 12 5/66 9/187 26.83 2.68 60.0 1 0 view innings
IMRAN KHAN OVERSEAS RECORD
in Australia 1976-1990 13 20 3038 1283 45 6/63 12/165 28.51 2.53 67.5 3 1 view innings
in England 1971-1987 12 19 2919 1158 47 7/40 10/77 24.63 2.38 62.1 4 1 view innings
in India 1979-1987 10 15 1653 757 27 5/63 9/130 28.03 2.74 61.2 2 0 view innings
in New Zealand 1979-1989 4 7 1283 453 17 5/106 6/109 26.64 2.11 75.4 1 0 view innings
in Sri Lanka 1986-1986 3 6 696 270 15 4/69 6/125 18.00 2.32 46.4 0 0 view innings
in West Indies 1977-1988 8 16 2196 1206 48 7/80 11/121 25.12 3.29 45.7 3 1 view innings
