Second best fast attack in the history

[Migara]

We all know, West Indies trio / quartet of fast bowlers dominated cricket for 15 years, and in my mind the best pace bowling attack in the history of test cricket. What comes second?

Aussies of 2000s?
Imran-Wasim-Waqar?
Donald - Pollock?
Steyn - Morkel - Philander?
Thompson and Lillee?
Lindwall et al?

Your comments on this.

 

[kiwiviktor81]

Tests: Imran-Wasim-Waqar
ODIs: Steyn-Morkel-Philander-Tahir

 

[Hurricane]

Lillee and thomson

 

[harsh.ag]

Defining three pacers as an attack, the three having played a significant number of tests together in which they performed admirably.

Best - Marshall, Holding, Garner (26 tests)
Second best - Marshall, Ambrose, Walsh (28 tests)

 

[OverratedSanity]

Donald-Pollock-Fanie/Schultz or Lindwall-Miller-Johnston

 

[mr_mister]

how many times did McGrath Lee and Dizzy play?

 

[The Battlers Prince]

The pairing of Lillee and Thomson in the mid 70s were more devastating than any other opening pairing, though without more express pace behind it, they're behind the WI attack.
Younis and Wasim were awesome to watch
The other that comes to mind are Richardson and Lohmann, they were exceptional for their time

 

[Zinzan]

Lillee and thomson

As good as they were, I think both Lillee and Thomson tend to get overrated because of the fear factor and the difficultly facing them on the fast Australian tracks in particular. Especially around 1975 when only a handful of batsmen wore helmets.

The fact remains Thommo has a relatively ordinary record (averaging around 28 from memory) and Lillee, as much as he's talked up by players of his era did have an ordinary record compared to other greats when conditions weren't the best for him.

I'd say a couple of the SA attacks, one in the 90s, Donald, Pollock, Schulz, Fannie (not sure if Fannie & Pollock ever played together) & even Elworthy and then the one around 2011 with Steyn, Morkel, Philander and co.

And of course, we can't ignore the 2 Ws and Imran.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

The pairing of Lillee and Thomson in the mid 70s were more devastating than any other opening pairing, though without more express pace behind it, they're behind the WI attack.
Younis and Wasim were awesome to watch
The other that comes to mind are Richardson and Lohmann, they were exceptional for their time

I'd add Larwood-Voce and Statham-Tyson

 

[Red]

Lindwall, Miller & Davidson

Lindwall, Miller & Johnston

 

[zaremba]

As good as they were, I think both Lillee and Thomson tend to get overrated because of the fear factor and the difficultly facing them on the fast Australian tracks in particular. Especially around 1975 when only a handful of batsmen wore helmets.

The fact remains Thommo has a relatively ordinary record (averaging around 28 from memory) and Lillee, as much as he's talked up by players of his era did have an ordinary record compared to other greats when conditions weren't the best for him.

Tommo's record in the early part of his career was amazing - his average climbed to 28 only relatively late in his career when his extraordinary pace had gone. In the 1970s I'd have thought they were probably as good an opening pair as the game has seen.

 

[Migara]

Guys, I am interested about fast bowling attack. So the quality of the 3rd pacer do matter. Thommo-Lillee was followed by Hogg / Pascoe IIRC. I am not sure how good were these bowlers compared to 3rd seam option WI / Pakistan or SAF had.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

In the modern era having Kallis as a 4th seamer behind Steyn, Philander, Morkel is pretty useful.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

2016-2022
Boult, Henry, Milne, Neesham

 

[The Sean]

Guys, I am interested about fast bowling attack. So the quality of the 3rd pacer do matter. Thommo-Lillee was followed by Hogg / Pascoe IIRC. I am not sure how good were these bowlers compared to 3rd seam option WI / Pakistan or SAF had.

Hogg and Pascoe came after the peak years of Lillee and Thommo - their most common foil during the peak years was Max Walker, who did a very good supporting job with his ungainly but effective fast-medium.

 

[Gowza]

Botham-Willis-Hendrick played 17 matches together taking 204 wickets, Willis averaged 24 whilst Botham and Hendricks both averaged in the 21s.

 

[The Battlers Prince]

Thomson-Lillee-Walker is my favourite after the Windies

 

[ankitj]

http://www.cricketweb.net/forum/cricket-chat/57919-best-pace-trios-outside-wi-70-s-80-s.html

 

[CaptainGrumpy]

2016-2022
Boult, Henry, Milne, Neesham

 

[The Sean]

Lindwall, Miller & Davidson

Lindwall, Miller & Johnston

Lindwall, Miller and Davo didn't play together often and it was before Davo had really come into his own. When he took over the new ball from '57 onwards he was extraordinary, but that was after Miller had retired and Lindwall had faded as a major force.

Lindwall, Miller and Johnston is a great shout though - right up there with the very, very best IMO.