Anderson and Steyn

[Agent Nationaux]

Both are similar type of bowlers, having the out-swinger as their stock delivery. But what has Steyn done right over his career that Anderson hasn't? Technically Anderson should be the better bowler because he can also bowl the in-swinger.

 

[Spark]

Bowl better for longer.

 

[Spikey]

Mat Inns Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Econ SR 4w 5w 10
Tests 51 95 10533 6068 263 7/51 10/91 23.07 3.45 40.0 17 17 4


Mat Inns Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Econ SR 4w 5w 10
Tests 66 122 14192 7587 249 7/43 11/71 30.46 3.20 56.9 14 11 1

 

[thierry henry]

This is a pretty fair thread tbh. Watching Steyn atm, he comes on and bowls a 142kph out swinger and the comms go "phwoar look at that, no wonder this bloke is the best bowler in the world". He's hardly the first skiddy fast bowler with a natural out swinger, there's more to it than that.

 

[FBU]

Both are similar type of bowlers, having the out-swinger as their stock delivery. But what has Steyn done right over his career that Anderson hasn't? Technically Anderson should be the better bowler because he can also bowl the in-swinger.

Anderson has had his bowling action changed twice, once to prevent injury and then he got injured with his new action and once to stop running on the wicket. Then changed back to his original action or what he could remember of it. He was also an injury replacement player so it was one game here and a couple of games there as there was Harmison, Hoggard, Flintoff and Jones in the team at the time. He only got a run in the team when a new coach took over.

 

[Briony]

Steyn on average bowls quicker than Anderson. In tests he bowls in short spells and if there is something in the pitch, he'll bend his back and bowl mainly between 145 and 150. He also swings it late. I doubt I've ever seen Anderson bowl near 150. Surely if you were a batsman you would find the quicker swing more lethal.

Also thinks that Steyn bowls angrier.

 

[thierry henry]

Steyn on average bowls quicker than Anderson. In tests he bowls in short spells and if there is something in the pitch, he'll bend his back and bowl mainly between 145 and 150. He also swings it late. I doubt I've ever seen Anderson bowl near 150. Surely if you were a batsman you would find the quicker swing more lethal.

Also thinks that Steyn bowls angrier.

Nah...they bowl around the same speed imo. 140-145.

 

[Briony]

Nah...they bowl around the same speed imo. 140-145.

In tests Steyn cranks it up and bowls in short spells. He's never been a great ODI bowler anyway but usually bowls more within himself.

 

[Spark]

Anderson is not a consistent 145kmh bowler.

 

[Spark]

Steyn on average bowls quicker than Anderson. In tests he bowls in short spells and if there is something in the pitch, he'll bend his back and bowl mainly between 145 and 150. He also swings it late. I doubt I've ever seen Anderson bowl near 150. Surely if you were a batsman you would find the quicker swing more lethal.

Also thinks that Steyn bowls angrier.

Also a fair point.

 

[thierry henry]

Anderson is not a consistent 145kmh bowler.

Neither is Steyn. Seen him bowl high 130s a lot as well. Also seen Anderson bowl high 140s.

Point is, both are quick but not express. I know Steyn has bowled 150 here and there but he's not truly express imo.

 

[NasserFan207]

Steyn is more consistent.

Anderson is better than he used to be in that regard though. Thats why he's suddenly become more successful.

 

[Pothas]

Neither is Steyn. Seen him bowl high 130s a lot as well. Also seen Anderson bowl high 140s.

Point is, both are quick but not express. I know Steyn has bowled 150 here and there but he's not truly express imo.

You saying that other things make Steyn better or are you arguing that he is not better at all?

 

[thierry henry]

You saying that other things make Steyn better or are you arguing that he is not better at all?

Watching Steyn atm, he comes on and bowls a 142kph out swinger and the comms go "phwoar look at that, no wonder this bloke is the best bowler in the world". He's hardly the first skiddy fast bowler with a natural out swinger, there's more to it than that.

z

 

[Pothas]

z

Which is?

 

[FBU]

Nah...they bowl around the same speed imo. 140-145.

Last 5 Tests (figures from Hawkeye mph)

Anderson 80-89 84-88 81-84 83-87 81-85
Steyn 79-91 85-89 87-91 87-91 85-91

 

[thierry henry]

Last 5 Tests (figures from Hawkeye mph)

Anderson 80-89 84-88 81-84 83-87 81-85
Steyn 79-91 85-89 87-91 87-91 85-91

Tells you a lot about radar variation and conditions. You telling me Anderson bowled an entire test where he was 135kph at FASTEST? Bring him back to NZ and he'll register 145 regularly.

 

[thierry henry]

Which is?

I dunno, that's why we have the thread

 

[social]

Steyn has a better temperament


[/CODE]

 

[Spark]

Neither is Steyn. Seen him bowl high 130s a lot as well. Also seen Anderson bowl high 140s.

Point is, both are quick but not express. I know Steyn has bowled 150 here and there but he's not truly express imo.

Steyn's natural pace is mid-140s. He sometimes deliberately bowls at high 130s to maximise swing but it's not his natural mode.