Satyanash89
Banned
Yup, him and Murali without a doubt.
Ftr, why is Hadlee not quite mentioned as often as Lillee and Marshall for the title of best fast bowler? I never saw him bowl... can someone help out?
His figures look exceptional
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Is Dale Steyn the worst ever best fast bowler in the world?
- Thread starter pasag
- Start date
Ftr, why is Hadlee not quite mentioned as often as Lillee and Marshall for the title of best fast bowler? I never saw him bowl... can someone help out?
His figures look exceptional
BackFootPunch
International 12th Man
I'd disagree with that first bit quite strongly. Away from the field he's basically the opposite of what I'd consider to be a stereotypical Saffa. One of the nicest professional cricketers I've ever come across tbh. Arrogance is certainly not a word I'd associate with him at all.
Reckon the best way to look at him is as someone who has extreme 'white line fever' - when he steps onto the field he's just a changed man. It ramps up even more when he's got a ball in hand.
Coronis
International Coach
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Red
The normal awards that everyone else has
I think Hadlee was probably as good as Marshall tbh.
Prince EWS
Global Moderator
I'd put him just below, but I'd probably rather have Hadlee in my side. Can barely imagine actually picking a side without both of them included these days though.
SJS
Hall of Fame Member
I personally rate Hadlee above Marshall but I realise I am in a hopeless minority
Red
The normal awards that everyone else has
I was a young fella when Hadlee was playing, but I remember him well. Had the classic quick bowler's action (like Lillee) and had all the fast bowling tricks. One of the best to watch in my time of watching
Richard Hadlee 15 wickets vs Australia 1985/86 1st test Gabba - YouTube
Arachnodouche
International Captain
The newer generation can't have seen the old greats on a ball-to-ball basis and so they generally have the highlights reel to rely on, which obviously looks spectacular for any ATG bowler. But we do get to see entire spells for modern bowlers, warts and all, and so we're far more critical of drops in speed, occasional waywardness, etc. There possibly couldn't be much to choose between bowlers in the top bracket with those kind of averages and strike rates.
The only thing marginally against Steyn and Philander, especially from this point out, is the woeful quality of young batsmen across the world.
The only thing marginally against Steyn and Philander, especially from this point out, is the woeful quality of young batsmen across the world.
vic_orthdox
Global Moderator
The drops in speed is such a big thing; as soon as Steyn starts bowling at less than 140km/h and doesn't take a wicket in a spell, it's a huge deal because he's bowling too slow. Guys 15 years ago wouldn't have that pressure, and could get through a spell without having constant scrutiny if they weren't bowling as quickly as they could.
Bowlers have to have a "business like" spell, where they are operating not quite at full capacity. The worshipping of the speed gun isn't a healthy thing.
Bowlers have to have a "business like" spell, where they are operating not quite at full capacity. The worshipping of the speed gun isn't a healthy thing.
Tom Halsey
International Coach
Still don't get why a bowler's speed is at all relevant as long as they're effective, which Steyn is.
Satyanash89
Banned
Nothing we already didnt know, but an article which is atleast relevant here.
Harsha Bhogle : Harsha Bhogle: Hail Dale Steyn | Cricinfo Magazine | ESPN Cricinfo
Harsha Bhogle : Harsha Bhogle: Hail Dale Steyn | Cricinfo Magazine | ESPN Cricinfo
Viscount Tom
International Debutant
I'd rate Steyn as the modern equivalent of F. S. Trueman minus the choice one liners people who are not rating him as an atg yet have weird views on fast bowling.
Stapel
International Regular
Do we have a list with all bowlers that have, at some point, topped the fast bowler's rankings?
I wouldn't be surprised to see a few bowlers that are far far worse than Dale Willem Steyn!
I don't even have a clue which five bowlers were topping the list before him.....
I wouldn't be surprised to see a few bowlers that are far far worse than Dale Willem Steyn!
I don't even have a clue which five bowlers were topping the list before him.....
wpdavid
Hall of Fame Member
Me neither, but I remember Harmison briefly topping the list in 2004, which must prove something.
Perhaps the weakest candidates would be circa 1973/74, with Snow past his best, Lillee injured and WI yet to discover Roberts and co.
Stapel
International Regular
Ahead of Warne, McGrath, Murali & Pollock......, assuming he was topping the bowler's list, including spinners.
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wpdavid
Hall of Fame Member
Here we go, with the rankings from February 1974
Reliance ICC Player Rankings
and the number 1 quick was Geoff Arnold. A fine bowler of his type, but obviously not a patch on what was to come. If anyone's interested, he was soon to be overtaken by Max Walker, with Dick Collinge of all people holding down a place in the top 3 quicks for quite a while.
Cracking website btw.
EDIT
Perhaps it's worth pointing out that the best quick in the world at that time was actually Mike Procter, but SA hadn't played any test cricket for four years.
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