Your top Test pacer to debut since 2000 is?

[BouncerGuy]

When it comes to Test cricket, fast bowlers have always been game-changers. The 21st century has seen some extraordinary pacers who have left a mark with their speed, swing, and skill. From the lethal deliveries of Dale Steyn and the relentless accuracy of Glenn McGrath to the fiery spells of James Anderson and Mitchell Starc, each has brought something unique to the game. But who stands out as the best?

Consider their impact on matches, consistency, and ability to perform in different conditions. Some bowlers have excelled in favorable home conditions, while others have shone abroad. Think about memorable spells that turned games or series around.

Let's discuss who you think deserves the title of the best Test pacer of this century. Share your thoughts, stats, and favorite moments to support your choice!

 

[MenInG]

Something about Mohammad Asif - just inexplicable.

 

[dubeTheGoat]

Dale Steyn and it's not even close

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Steyn.

 

[kron]

Jasprit bumrah hands down
Even better than steyn

He only needs longevity for another 3 4 years

 

[Devadwal]

Jaspreet bumrah

 

[Mesozoic]

Steyn..

Bumrah has the potential to dethrone him in the next 3-4 years.

 

[shaz619]

I would go with Shane Bond and Mohammad Asif.

 

[ElRaja]

steyn, rabada, cummins, anderson and then the rest, you cannot compare test pacers when some dont have close to the same durability as the rest, asif, bumrah, bond are all legends in different ways, but you cannot compare their output to guys with 2x or 3x, or in andersons case 5x the wickets.

 

[shaz619]

It’s insane how we had Lee, Akhtar and Bond in the 03 WC, the pinnacle of cricket, all box-office and thrilling to watch. Sure, a number of bowlers may have better stats but I’m not paying for a ticket to watch them. Modern quicks don’t make you feel anything.

 

[Ahmed216]

Steyn Asif Jazzprit

 

[Bhaijaan]

1. Bumrah
2. Steyn
3. Rabada
4. Cummins
5. Anderson

 

[BouncerGuy]

Steyn
Asif
Anderson
Bumrah

 

[kron]

Steyn the choker in LOI?
Already moved ahead of him. His numbers are as good if not better than steyn. But yea he needs longevity.

 

[kron]

It’s insane how we had Lee, Akhtar and Bond in the 03 WC, the pinnacle of cricket, all box-office and thrilling to watch. Sure, a number of bowlers may have better stats but I’m not paying for a ticket to watch them. Modern quicks don’t make you feel anything.

Agree with this. Wood nortje are there though.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

James Anderson got one sympathy vote
The GOAT

 

[Devadwal]

Dale Steyn fifer away from home in test cricket -11
Bumrah - 8

Bumrah easily can surpass him + Bumrah already has better impact than any Pacers in test cricket .

Another 3-4 good year then Bumrah will be counted as GOAT .

People who doesn't appreciate Bumrah are salty .

 

[Barragan]

Steyn and Anderson way above anyone else.

 

[kron]

Dale Steyn fifer away from home in test cricket -11
Bumrah - 8

Bumrah easily can surpass him + Bumrah already has better impact than any Pacers in test cricket .

Another 3-4 good year then Bumrah will be counted as GOAT .

People who doesn't appreciate Bumrah are salty .

He will probably win a wtc soon and another t20 wc too
Just 4 years max. 4 to 5

Also stryn gets to play on spicy bouncy green pitches in SA to pad hos record. Bumrah has top lay on dead pitches in India yet he averages under 20 in India. Steyn too was good in India but not so good in lanka and u.a.e iirc

 

[sweep_shot]

Dale Steyn easily.

After Steyn, top pacers would be Bumrah, Shami, Asif, Cummins, Starc, Anderson etc.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Easy Pick

Mitchell Johnson

 

[RidiculousMan]

Dale Steyn.

 

[batandballbattle]

Anderson was a bit of a home track bully. Not solely good in england as some say but the difference was still there to see vs performances away.

Rabada burst onto the scene really well but has fallen away a bit in the last few years

Broad, see anderson, same sentiments

Asif is one of those 'what if' cases, we will never know how good he could truly get since he threw away his career. Was a very intelligent customer though, IMO he definitely would hace far more of a case if he had a full stint

Bumrah is easily the best pacer going ATM. A few more years at the top and he will start entering all time GOAT debates.

Cummins unfortunately had that long period out in the 2010s due to injury, so his rise happened later than it should have. Wily bowler who always seems to pick wickets at the right time with a real knack for captaincy.

Taking white ball into isolation, Starc is an absolute monster. But if we start considering tests, he can have the tendency to be too expensive at times, and of late in white ball more costly overs have started to creep in with age.

That leaves Steyn as the top pick for me. Only mark on his record is big tournament performances, and to be honest you could say that for almost every SA player. In all conditions in all formats he was a bowler feared the world over.

My list goes:

Steyn
Bumrah
Cummins
Starc

 

[Bhaijaan]

Rabada burst onto the scene really well but has fallen away a bit in the last few years

300 test wickets at 22.08

No logic behind your statement. Rabada is always ignored because he’s a quiet South African black athlete. If he was a Caribbean black with some charisma he would arguably be competing with Bumrah for the top spot. One of the greatest ever test bowlers. His record is outrageously good.

 

[batandballbattle]

300 test wickets at 22.08

No logic behind your statement. Rabada is always ignored because he’s a quiet South African black athlete. If he was a Caribbean black with some charisma he would arguably be competing with Bumrah for the top spot. One of the greatest ever test bowlers. His record is outrageously good.

Stats are definitely fantastic, I'm not denying that. I feel outside of SA some of his lustre wanes.
And I disagree with your 'quiet' statement. He has been quite vocal in the past against SA's quota policy.

 

[Mamoon]

KG Rabada is better than Steyn. He is just unlucky to be playing his peak years in a significantly weaker Protea team.

Current Rabada would have outshone Steyn in the 2007-2014 South African team.

 

[kron]

KG Rabada is better than Steyn. He is just unlucky to be playing his peak years in a significantly weaker Protea team.

Current Rabada would have outshone Steyn in the 2007-2014 South African team.

Steyn gets overrated to much

His average in England Australia is good but nothing special.

And then he also was poor in lanka iirc.

He did do well in India on seaming tracks. For some reason 2008 and 2010 had greenish tracks in India.

And bowling attack of SA is not weak at all. Infact it's the strongest it has been since smith's era.

It's just batting. If they had 2 good batsmen they would wreak havoc.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Stats are definitely fantastic, I'm not denying that. I feel outside of SA some of his lustre wanes.
And I disagree with your 'quiet' statement. He has been quite vocal in the past against SA's quota policy.

You made it sound like he’s averaging 28 something today. The guy has 300 test wickets at 22.08. It’s an outrageously consistent run for him. He is one of the greatest ever.

and some posters, which celebrates a bowler who used performance enhancing steroids to bowl 125 kph and retire with 100 test wickets

 

[Bhaijaan]

KG Rabada is better than Steyn. He is just unlucky to be playing his peak years in a significantly weaker Protea team.

Current Rabada would have outshone Steyn in the 2007-2014 South African team.

Steyn gets overrated to much

His average in England Australia is good but nothing special.

And then he also was poor in lanka iirc.

He did do well in India on seaming tracks. For some reason 2008 and 2010 had greenish tracks in India.

And bowling attack of SA is not weak at all. Infact it's the strongest it has been since smith's era.

It's just batting. If they had 2 good batsmen they would wreak havoc.

They’re at par. Both one of the greatest ever. Stern had the X factor thanks to his pace and he was a fighter. Could wreck havoc even on flat pitches. Rabada is just built perfect like a German tank. Height, pace, great repeatable bowling action, every ball is bowled in the right spot. Amazing bowler.

 

[kron]

They’re at par. Both one of the greatest ever. Stern had the X factor thanks to his pace and he was a fighter. Could wreck havoc even on flat pitches. Rabada is just built perfect like a German tank. Height, pace, great repeatable bowling action, every ball is bowled in the right spot. Amazing bowler.

Bumrah even better. Needs longevity for another 3 4 years. That's it.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Bumrah even better. Needs longevity for another 3 4 years. That's it.

Bumrah is ahead of both.

1. Bumrah
2,3 Steyn & Rabada

 

[kron]

You made it sound like he’s averaging 28 something today. The guy has 300 test wickets at 22.08. It’s an outrageously consistent run for him. He is one of the greatest ever.

and some posters, which celebrates a bowler who used performance enhancing steroids to bowl 125 kph and retire with 100 test wickets

Who? Used pedal to retire with 100 wickets?

 

[kron]

Bumrah is ahead of both.

1. Bumrah
2,3 Steyn & Rabada

What about Cummins? Just a touch under rabada?

 

[shaz619]

KG Rabada is better than Steyn. He is just unlucky to be playing his peak years in a significantly weaker Protea team.

Current Rabada would have outshone Steyn in the 2007-2014 South African team.

Rabada is certainly the more skilled of the two

 

[Bhaijaan]

What about Cummins? Just a touch under rabada?

Just marginally below these 3 but definitely at #4.

It’s the #5 spot which is a dog fight actually as there are many contenders.

 

[Mamoon]

Steyn gets overrated to much

His average in England Australia is good but nothing special.

And then he also was poor in lanka iirc.

He did do well in India on seaming tracks. For some reason 2008 and 2010 had greenish tracks in India.

And bowling attack of SA is not weak at all. Infact it's the strongest it has been since smith's era.

It's just batting. If they had 2 good batsmen they would wreak havoc.

Yes, it is the batting that makes SA weak now. Bowling is still great with Rabada the best by far.

SA during Steyn’s prime was a batting powerhouse - Smith, Amla, Kallis, AB. Rabada would win countless matches for SA if he is backed by a batting unit that consistently scores 400+ like they did during Steyn’s prime.

 

[Buffet]

In test cricket , Away perfomance has been the bechmark for greatness.

25 pacers have taken 100 plus wickets away from home.

Only 3 have average of below 25.

McGrath, Bumrah and Steyn. Clear stand outs among all pacers. These 3 are also among the most impactful pacers in history even if we go back 50 years. These 3 also had more 5-fers than all other bowlers since 2000. Yes, Zaheer, Ishant and Anderson also have 8 5-fers but they played double the amount of games to get the same output.


Since McGrath debuted before 2000, we are left with Bumrah and Steyn. Currently, I will go with Steyn as the best test pacer to debute after 2000.

 

[Ab Fan]

Dale Steyn is the answer. He did superb vs ATG Indian batting lineup in India. That's the ultimate test of greatness.

 

[anikrc1]

KG Rabada is better than Steyn. He is just unlucky to be playing his peak years in a significantly weaker Protea team.

Current Rabada would have outshone Steyn in the 2007-2014 South African team.

Performance asia has always been the deciding factor in the legacy of non asian fast bowlers. Steyn blows Rabada out of the water in Asia.

 

[Ab Fan]

In test cricket , Away perfomance has been the bechmark for greatness.

25 pacers have taken 100 plus wickets away from home.

Only 3 have average of below 25.

McGrath, Bumrah and Steyn. Clear stand outs among all pacers. These 3 are also among the most impactful pacers in history even if we go back 50 years. These 3 also had more 5-fers than all other bowlers since 2000. Yes, Zaheer, Ishant and Anderson also have 8 5-fers but they played double the amount of games to get the same output.


Since McGrath debuted before 2000, we are left with Bumrah and Steyn. Currently, I will go with Steyn as the best test pacer to debute after 2000.

View attachment 146181

Hazelwood is also overrated bowler. He played only 9 tests in Asia and picked 16 wickets at avg of 39. That's same story as Philander. Both have their averages inflated due to this.

 

[Buffet]

When it comes to Test cricket, fast bowlers have always been game-changers. The 21st century has seen some extraordinary pacers who have left a mark with their speed, swing, and skill. From the lethal deliveries of Dale Steyn and the relentless accuracy of Glenn McGrath to the fiery spells of James Anderson and Mitchell Starc, each has brought something unique to the game. But who stands out as the best?

Consider their impact on matches, consistency, and ability to perform in different conditions. Some bowlers have excelled in favorable home conditions, while others have shone abroad. Think about memorable spells that turned games or series around.

Let's discuss who you think deserves the title of the best Test pacer of this century. Share your thoughts, stats, and favorite moments to support your choice!

Steyn and Bumrah are two stand out bowlers for bowling match changing spells and also come on top for ability to perform in different conditions and consitency.

Stats, ability to change the match, perform in different conditions, consitency etc .... It's Steyn, Bumrah as top 2. Then I will pick Cummins as the third best. Then Rabada as the 4th best.

 

[Ab Fan]

Performance asia has always been the deciding factor in the legacy of non asian fast bowlers. Steyn blows Rabada out of the water in Asia.

Agreed and that's why Anderson blows Broad out of the water in Asia and is regarded widely as the best. Broad falls well behind for this reason.

 

[Buffet]

Hazelwood is also overrated bowler. He played only 9 tests in Asia and picked 16 wickets at avg of 39. That's same story as Philander. Both have their averages inflated due to this.

Yah, you can't rate him that high due to this shortcoming. It's actgually rare to have pacers who can bowl match changing spells in all conditions. People throw random names, but after 2000, only Steyn and Bumrah have that ability. You can add Cummins as third. Then it's starts dropping. As good as Rabada is, I won't bank on him in all conditions like Steyn.

Simply said if you are picking test XI who debuted after 2000 then Steyn, Bumrah and Cummins will plays as 3 pacers in all conditions for me. In 25 years, you got 3 pacers, it's that rare.

 

[Buffet]

Some posters hyping Rabada at the same level as Steyn or even higher than Steyn,

Rabada in Asia: 17 innings - 22 wickets , Avg 35 plus, SR 70 plus with zero 5-fers.

 

[kron]

Dale Steyn is the answer. He did superb vs ATG Indian batting lineup in India. That's the ultimate test of greatness.

Pitches were green at the time.

 

[kron]

Hazelwood is also overrated bowler. He played only 9 tests in Asia and picked 16 wickets at avg of 39. That's same story as Philander. Both have their averages inflated due to this.

100% agree with this.
Shami is a better bowler than hazlewood and philander and no one's opinion can make change mine.shami is also better than shoaib akthar and on par with Mitch Johnson.

Numbers aren't everything.


As the poster above mentioned something about how great steyn was. Yes he is an ATG but rabada dint get to play with great batsmen like steyn did.

 

[Ab Fan]

Pitches were green at the time.

And he blew ATG batting line-up.

AB de Villiers then scored 217 runs with bat.

 

[Ab Fan]

100% agree with this.
Shami is a better bowler than hazlewood and philander and no one's opinion can make change mine.shami is also better than shoaib akthar and on par with Mitch Johnson.

Numbers aren't everything.


As the poster above mentioned something about how great steyn was. Yes he is an ATG but rabada dint get to play with great batsmen like steyn did.

Shami is underrated for sure.

 

[anikrc1]

My list
1. Steyn
2. Bumrah
3 Cummins
4. Anderson.
5. Rabada.
6 . Phillander.
7. Asif.
8. Johnson.
9 Broad.
10. Hazelwood.

 

[Buffet]

Pitches were green at the time.

Steyn did not have green pitches all the time and has 5-fers in Asia. To put it in perspective how hard it is for non-Asian to pick 5-fers in Asia, McGrath has just 1 5-fers in entire career in Asia in 36 innings.

Not having support of great batting line up is good point when talking about Rabada not having impact in Asia, but you can't be averaging 36 with SR of 70 plus in Asia if you want to be rated among the best. Also, Apart from India, other Asian teams are not that strong during Rabada's time. So yes, pitches are dfifferent but Pak, BD, SL are not exactly top teams in world. You got to do better.

 

[kron]

And he blew ATG batting line-up.

AB de Villiers then scored 217 runs with bat.

But it was a green pitch when it first started. There was lot of swing.

 

[kron]

Steyn did not have green pitches all the time and has 5-fers in Asia. To put it in perspective how hard it is for non-Asian to pick 5-fers in Asia, McGrath has just 1 5-fers in entire career in Asia in 36 innings.

Not having support of great batting line up is good point when talking about Rabada not having impact in Asia, but you can't be averaging 36 with SR of 70 plus in Asia if you want to be rated among the best.

Fair enough. I am fine with that. Still feel rabada was inhibited by poor batting performances. However he should have led his team better.

Tbf steyn had morkel and philtrundler who kept it tight.

Nortje and ngidi are total wastes of space in India.

Now with burger jansen it would be better for sure. I agree though, he should have had sub 30 atleast even with poor batting.

 

[Cover Drive Six]

Steyn Gun

 

[RidiculousMan]

In test cricket , Away perfomance has been the bechmark for greatness.

25 pacers have taken 100 plus wickets away from home.

Only 3 have average of below 25.

McGrath, Bumrah and Steyn. Clear stand outs among all pacers. These 3 are also among the most impactful pacers in history even if we go back 50 years. These 3 also had more 5-fers than all other bowlers since 2000. Yes, Zaheer, Ishant and Anderson also have 8 5-fers but they played double the amount of games to get the same output.


Since McGrath debuted before 2000, we are left with Bumrah and Steyn. Currently, I will go with Steyn as the best test pacer to debute after 2000.

View attachment 146181

Steyn with the best bowling Strike Rate in this list. He was just a menace. That run up alone would shake you.

 

[pratiktc]

KG Rabada is better than Steyn. He is just unlucky to be playing his peak years in a significantly weaker Protea team.

Current Rabada would have outshone Steyn in the 2007-2014 South African team.

I believe both are different kind of bowlers and frankly Rabada has underachieved for the ability he has.

Steyn MO was the late outswinger at high pace which looked visually stunning when it succeeded. However he could also go to the back of a length hammer when needed and has served multiple successful spells of short and back of a length albeit with his height disadvantage he had fair share of failure with such spells.

Rabada MO is the back of a length and slightly inbetween good and short length zone with spring like bounce. Basically Harmison with better seam and length control. It is extremely off putting for batters because that kind of bowling is almost impossible to dominate at international level in Tests. I believe Rabada has the ability and he shows glimpses at times to succeed with conventional air swing on a fuller length but he doesn't really explore it and stays married to his back of length bashing. Seems like a bit of a mental block.

He has also not developed slower ball or slower bouncer to the level that modern day T20 bowlers are expected and thus suffers a bit in shortest format where he still uses his patent method.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Steyn and Mitchell Johnson of post 2013 period

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Dale Steyn and James Anderson