Who is the best fast bowler in the world right now - Tests

[MW1304]

He's not averaging 1 less with the ball though. That's just an opinion you've formed on where his bowling average could potentially rise to. There's enough to suggest in his first class bowling record and current test record he's better than the 24-25 average test bowler that Broad has been in the last two years.

But you're using FC records to determine whether someone could get into a World Test XI, which is ridiculous. We have to judge him on what he has done in Tests so far, which is only marginally better than what Broad has done in the same period, on arguably better bowling surfaces. I can't see how Philander has been significantly, or any tbh, better than Broad recently.

 

[Spark]

In the end the crux of the problem is that Philander simply hasn't been playing Tests long enough to really be sure about anything. There's an argument that he should be automatically excluded from any World Test XI purely on this basis - he hasn't played long enough.

 

[MrPrez]

You're not playing the West Indies or Australia, though. You're playing a team of comparable strength - #8 runs matter.

I actually think they have very similar bowling styles tbh. Probably Broad is the more "agressive" and Philander the more metronomic, but otherwise they (nowadays) look for nicks, bowleds, LBWs.

It doesn't matter who you're playing, you shouldn't be relying on runs from number 8. Period.

That's the point - Philander is a more metronomic bowler whereas Broad is more aggressive - I would personally rather have Philander bowling alongside Steyn and Anderson because he gives them a cool-headed, metronomic, reliable option at the end. I understand if people feel differently, my point is that even though as bowlers you could say their ability is fairly similar, they still can be separated based on external factors.

 

[Prince EWS]

It doesn't matter who you're playing, you shouldn't be relying on runs from number 8. Period.

That's the point - Philander is a more metronomic bowler whereas Broad is more aggressive - I would personally rather have Philander bowling alongside Steyn and Anderson because he gives them a cool-headed, metronomic, reliable option at the end. I understand if people feel differently, my point is that even though as bowlers you could say their ability is fairly similar, they still can be separated based on external factors.

Like batting.

 

[Spark]

Well then agree to disagree, because I'm absolutely convinced that having a good #8 wins you matches that you otherwise wouldn't win, and can cite several recent examples as evidence.

 

[Mike5181]

But you're using FC records to determine whether someone could get into a World Test XI, which is ridiculous. We have to judge him on what he has done in Tests so far, which is only marginally better than what Broad has done in the same period, on arguably better bowling surfaces. I can't see how Philander has been significantly, or any tbh, better than Broad recently.

All I've done is consider his first class record after looking at his current test record of 51 wickets @ 14. There's nothing wrong with factoring in those sorts of things to place legitimacy on his numbers. He's not just some guy who got lucky at test level. He's consistently been that good in the longer format.

Philander's 51 @ 14.15 compared to Broad's 48 @ 23.05 isn't a marginal difference. When you look at his strike rate of 26.7 compared to Broad's 52.3 he's taking a wicket almost twice as frequently as Broad. If you think he can't take one more wicket than Broad at a higher level than test matches to make up for the lack of batting strength at number 8 or the 25 runs you lose then fine but I personally think he would.

 

[Teja.]

Anderson on achievement deserves to make a world XI right now.

If I were to pick a team for my life to be played tomorrow, With Steyn, I'd rather pick both Broad and Philander though tbh as I think both of them, from what I can see, are bowling stunningly well for a decently long period of time even though Anderson has been better over a longer period of 2 years.

However on prolonged achievement, One indeed has to pick Anderson and Steyn.

I don't see why there's so much debate about Broad's spot in the XI tbh. I thought he was the second most obvious pick after Dale Steyn. Has been dreamy with the ball for a while in way that transcends conditions and is a very very annoying tailender. WAG.

 

[Mike5181]

Has been dreamy with the ball for a while in way that transcends conditions.

Steyn, Anderson and Philander haven't been the same then?

 

[smash84]

Philanderer has barely played 7 matches

 

[Mike5181]

Philanderer has barely played 7 matches

Why barely? Seven is seven.

 

[MrPrez]

Philanderer has barely played 7 matches

Sherlock, you've done it again!

 

[Manee]

Sherlock, you've done it again!

I understand the sarcasm, but I don't think that was an appropriate use of Sherlock.

 

[Prince EWS]

Why barely? Seven is seven.

Seven is the new three.

 

[MrPrez]

I understand the sarcasm, but I don't think that was an appropriate use of Sherlock.

lolwat?

 

[smash84]

he is right "Sherlock"

 

[Teja.]

Steyn, Anderson and Philander haven't been the same then?

I'd pick Philander and Steyn too! If I have to pick between Anderson and Broad for tomorrow on gut feel as to who'll do better, I'd pick Broad. Anderson has done impressively in conditions foreign to him but he's a noticeably less attacking bowler, He's still fantastic but when I say 'transcended', The conditions should have minimal impact on your bowling.

Anyway, If I have want to maintain perfect logical consistency with my cricketing philosophy, I'd pick Anderson, Steyn and Broad. If I were to pick a team for a game tomorrow, from what I've seen with my eyes of the last one year, I'd pick Steyn, Broad and Philander.

 

[Mike5181]

I'd pick Philander and Steyn too! If I have to pick between Anderson and Broad for tomorrow on gut feel as to who'll do better, I'd pick Broad. Anderson has done impressively in conditions foreign to him but he's a noticeably less attacking bowler, He's still fantastic but when I say 'transcended', The conditions should have minimal impact on your bowling.

Anyway, If I have want to maintain perfect logical consistency with my cricketing philosophy, I'd pick Anderson, Steyn and Broad. If I were to pick a team for a game tomorrow, from what I've seen with my eyes of the last one year, I'd pick Steyn, Broad and Philander.

Fair enough then.

 

[Jacknife]

I'd say after the SL in England series, once he'd fully recovered from his injuries and stopped enforcing.

 

[MrPrez]

he is right "Sherlock"

How on earth is he right?

 

[Cabinet96]

Agree with Teja here. Anderson and Steyn have been awesome over the lat 2-3 years, but in the last 6-12 months, they've arguably not done as well as Broad and Phillander.