Harsh Thakor
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In this post I am listing in order of merit my 20 most lethal overseas paceman to bowl on Australian soil .I have taken into account the strength of o position,strength of team bowler played for,bowling skill and statistical performance.
1.Richard Hadlee
Supreme control.God's gift in the art of swinging the ball and deploying leg-cutter.Although mainly fast-medium deployed subtle variation sin pace a surprise bouncer and a devastating leg-cutter.At his best when taking 33 wkts in Australia in 3 tests in 1985-86.Masterd oponent's weakness and strengths more clinically than any pace bowler.Resembled a computer on the cricket field.Rtaed at the top because he carried the brunt of a weak side.
2.Curtly Ambrose
In a single in -spell the most deavastating of paceman to bowl down under.May not have been as quick as Holding or as much a master of swing as Wasim Akram but no paceman was as relentless or extracted as steep bounce from a god length.Could demolish a batting line up lice slicing through a cake or mowing grass.At Perth when taking 7-25 in 1992-93 gave arguably pace bowling's best ever performance on a fast track .Blended pace,bounce and accuracy like noone else.Record haul of 33 wickets in 5 tests in 1992-93 and also oustanding in 1988-89 overshadowing Marshall,taking 28 scalps.
3.Malcolm Marshall
More complete than any overseas paceman and on a flat or turning track a master.At Adelaide in 1984-85 and Sydney in 19988-89 revealed his magical prowess.On a flat wicket would overshadow Ambrose and Hadlee.
4.Wasim Akram
At his best looked like a magician performing tricks mastering reverse swing more than any pacemna.In 1989-90 took mastery in the art of fast bowling to it's highest zenith when taking 11-160 at Melbourne.No overseas bowler was more versatile or revealed such innovative genius in doing things with a cricket ball in Australia.Injuries went against him .Marginally less accurate than Hadlee and Ambrose who had nore control and consistency.
5.Andy Roberts
Almost a replica of the great Dennis Lillee who could turn the complexion of match in any situation.No oversaes paceman bar Marshall had a greter repertoire in his armoury which Andy revealed in World series supertests in 1977-79 and in 1975-76 when he spearheaded a depleted attack.His removing the 2 Chappell brother's in successive deliveries in 1979-80 are the 2 best deliveries I have ever seen bowled down under.
6.Michael Holding
At his best on bouncy track more lethal than anyone.No paceman posessed more speed through the air or such a smooth action.His bowling was simply poetry in motion delivered with the grace of a bird flying.In 1981-82 arguably bowled better than any West Indian paceman down under taking 24 wickets.
7.Imran Khan
At his best like at Sydney in 1977 or in parts of 1981-82 in the Dennis Lille clas..No paceman bar Wasim swung a cricket ball so much at such a high speed.
8.Dale Steyn
The most lethal bowler of recent times who could create the effect of thunder on a cricket field with his speed and variations.
9.Joel Garner
An epitome of accuracy created unplayable disconcerting bounce at his best with the ball coming down from such a great height.
10.Kapil Dev
Mastered the outswinger better than any fast-medium or fast bowler like in 1985-86 and in 1991-92.Few paceman could bowl such prolonged spells or could single-handedly carry the brunt of team's bowling attack.
11.Harold Larwood
Made history in the bodyline series in the mid 1930's conquering even the legendary Sir Donald Bradman.
12.John Snow
In the Dennis Lillee class and a great match-winner.
13.Alan Donald
A Master who posessed lightning speed.
14.Courtney Walsh
Could be unplayable at his best with his subtle variation sof swing and bounce.
15.Sarafraz Nawaz
Reminiscent of Richard Hadlee .Took 9-86 at Melbourne in 1978-79,arguably the best spell ever bowling in a 4th innings in Australia and amongts the best ever to turn a lost cause into a victory.
16.Ian Botham
At his best displayed supreme intelligence like in 1979-80 and his inswinger could be devastating.
17.Shoiab Akhtar
Quicker than Jeff Thomson but lacked control and not at his best in Australia.
18.Waqar Younus
Had he been at his best in Australia could have joined Marshall.
19.Wes Hall
Could create the impact of a Holding or Marshall in full flow
20.Fred Trueman
A dennis Lillee of his era.
1.Richard Hadlee
Supreme control.God's gift in the art of swinging the ball and deploying leg-cutter.Although mainly fast-medium deployed subtle variation sin pace a surprise bouncer and a devastating leg-cutter.At his best when taking 33 wkts in Australia in 3 tests in 1985-86.Masterd oponent's weakness and strengths more clinically than any pace bowler.Resembled a computer on the cricket field.Rtaed at the top because he carried the brunt of a weak side.
2.Curtly Ambrose
In a single in -spell the most deavastating of paceman to bowl down under.May not have been as quick as Holding or as much a master of swing as Wasim Akram but no paceman was as relentless or extracted as steep bounce from a god length.Could demolish a batting line up lice slicing through a cake or mowing grass.At Perth when taking 7-25 in 1992-93 gave arguably pace bowling's best ever performance on a fast track .Blended pace,bounce and accuracy like noone else.Record haul of 33 wickets in 5 tests in 1992-93 and also oustanding in 1988-89 overshadowing Marshall,taking 28 scalps.
3.Malcolm Marshall
More complete than any overseas paceman and on a flat or turning track a master.At Adelaide in 1984-85 and Sydney in 19988-89 revealed his magical prowess.On a flat wicket would overshadow Ambrose and Hadlee.
4.Wasim Akram
At his best looked like a magician performing tricks mastering reverse swing more than any pacemna.In 1989-90 took mastery in the art of fast bowling to it's highest zenith when taking 11-160 at Melbourne.No overseas bowler was more versatile or revealed such innovative genius in doing things with a cricket ball in Australia.Injuries went against him .Marginally less accurate than Hadlee and Ambrose who had nore control and consistency.
5.Andy Roberts
Almost a replica of the great Dennis Lillee who could turn the complexion of match in any situation.No oversaes paceman bar Marshall had a greter repertoire in his armoury which Andy revealed in World series supertests in 1977-79 and in 1975-76 when he spearheaded a depleted attack.His removing the 2 Chappell brother's in successive deliveries in 1979-80 are the 2 best deliveries I have ever seen bowled down under.
6.Michael Holding
At his best on bouncy track more lethal than anyone.No paceman posessed more speed through the air or such a smooth action.His bowling was simply poetry in motion delivered with the grace of a bird flying.In 1981-82 arguably bowled better than any West Indian paceman down under taking 24 wickets.
7.Imran Khan
At his best like at Sydney in 1977 or in parts of 1981-82 in the Dennis Lille clas..No paceman bar Wasim swung a cricket ball so much at such a high speed.
8.Dale Steyn
The most lethal bowler of recent times who could create the effect of thunder on a cricket field with his speed and variations.
9.Joel Garner
An epitome of accuracy created unplayable disconcerting bounce at his best with the ball coming down from such a great height.
10.Kapil Dev
Mastered the outswinger better than any fast-medium or fast bowler like in 1985-86 and in 1991-92.Few paceman could bowl such prolonged spells or could single-handedly carry the brunt of team's bowling attack.
11.Harold Larwood
Made history in the bodyline series in the mid 1930's conquering even the legendary Sir Donald Bradman.
12.John Snow
In the Dennis Lillee class and a great match-winner.
13.Alan Donald
A Master who posessed lightning speed.
14.Courtney Walsh
Could be unplayable at his best with his subtle variation sof swing and bounce.
15.Sarafraz Nawaz
Reminiscent of Richard Hadlee .Took 9-86 at Melbourne in 1978-79,arguably the best spell ever bowling in a 4th innings in Australia and amongts the best ever to turn a lost cause into a victory.
16.Ian Botham
At his best displayed supreme intelligence like in 1979-80 and his inswinger could be devastating.
17.Shoiab Akhtar
Quicker than Jeff Thomson but lacked control and not at his best in Australia.
18.Waqar Younus
Had he been at his best in Australia could have joined Marshall.
19.Wes Hall
Could create the impact of a Holding or Marshall in full flow
20.Fred Trueman
A dennis Lillee of his era.
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