-
Welcome to the Cricket Web forums, one of the biggest forums in the world dedicated to cricket.
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join the Cricket Web community today!
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.
CW decides the greatest test spinner ever. 43 names: Countdown/Rankings thread
- Thread starter mr_mister
- Start date
Borges
International Regular
Also because in the modern game, cricket has been enriched(?) by the presence of multiple formats, demanding multiple kinds of techniques.
Limited overs cricket is a different game; very different from what it used to be, even twenty years ago.
These days, life is much harder for both batsmen and bowlers, than it used to be for the old crowd who had to develop a technique for one just form of cricket.
mr_mister
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
#9th. Derek Underwood, 295 points
Featured on 29 of 35 lists
Highest finish: 2nd (1 time)
Ranking within spin discipline: 2nd of 14 (Slow Left Arm Orthodox)
Test WPM ranking: 39th of 43 (3.45)
Deadley Derek, who ranks in as the second best left arm spinner, bowled his deliveries at close to medium pace from a fairly long run-up, perhaps similar to O'Reilly. He extracted plenty of spin and was an expert at changing up his pace though was occasionally criticised for pushing it through to flat and quick when conditions suited slow flight. He took 297 test wickets, still a record for an English Spinner. Like so many featured on this list he was highly economical, leaking only 2.10 runs per over. His WPM is on the lower end of the pile though.
Underwood's test average of 25.8 is very solid for a spinner. He destroyed the New Zealand Minnows, taking 48 wickets from 8 matches against them at 12. He also performed terrific against Pakistan, India and Australia, averaging in the mid 20s against all 3 of them.
Against the West Indies, who's rise to glory came during Underwood's career, he did struggle. Averaged 43 from 17 tests against them with only one 5 fer and only took a wicket against them every 102 balls. So many bowlers on this list have one black mark and this was Underwood's.
Featured on 29 of 35 lists
Highest finish: 2nd (1 time)
Ranking within spin discipline: 2nd of 14 (Slow Left Arm Orthodox)
Test WPM ranking: 39th of 43 (3.45)
Deadley Derek, who ranks in as the second best left arm spinner, bowled his deliveries at close to medium pace from a fairly long run-up, perhaps similar to O'Reilly. He extracted plenty of spin and was an expert at changing up his pace though was occasionally criticised for pushing it through to flat and quick when conditions suited slow flight. He took 297 test wickets, still a record for an English Spinner. Like so many featured on this list he was highly economical, leaking only 2.10 runs per over. His WPM is on the lower end of the pile though.
Underwood's test average of 25.8 is very solid for a spinner. He destroyed the New Zealand Minnows, taking 48 wickets from 8 matches against them at 12. He also performed terrific against Pakistan, India and Australia, averaging in the mid 20s against all 3 of them.
Against the West Indies, who's rise to glory came during Underwood's career, he did struggle. Averaged 43 from 17 tests against them with only one 5 fer and only took a wicket against them every 102 balls. So many bowlers on this list have one black mark and this was Underwood's.
Starfighter
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
I think you'll be genuinely surprised. Seems to be an anti-O'Reilly vote.
TheJediBrah
Request Your Custom Title Now!
That list is a trainwreck. Seems to be an anti-lot of people vote
mr_mister
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
8th. Anil Kumble, 298 points
Featured on 31 of 35 lists
Highest finish: 6th (1 time)
Ranking within spin discipline: 4th of 16 (Leg Break Googly)
Test WPM ranking: 12th of 43 (4.69)
According to this CW exercise, India's best ever spinner. Arguably their best ever bowler. He finishes as the 4th greatest leggie and is the only non-Australian to feature in the top 5 for leg break bowlers.
Kumble had a massive test career spanning 18 years. It included 619 wickets from 132 tests. Currently third most test wickets of all time. He holds the record for most ever test LBWs with 156 and this comes as no surprise to those who saw him bowl. His fast, straight leg breaks had tremendous kick to them and crept up on many a batsman, striking them dead centre below the knee. He was originally a medium pacer in his youth and kept a tiny bit of that in his spin career. His run up and action was all limbs and leaps and was a sight to see.
It all came together one famous afternoon in 1999 when he took all 10 wickets in a Pakistan innings to give India a memorable victory. He bowled his country to countless more. At home he was a beast, taking 350 wickets at 24. Even though his overall average was just under 30, he was very consistent against all sides and his worst overall record against a country was just 32(Pakistan and South Africa). So no one batting unit could really take him apart at home.
Away it was a different story however. He averaged above 40 in four countries and 37 in Australia. His overall away average was just under 36. Despite being more expensive he still managed to take plenty of wickets in some of these countries, taking nearly 5 a test in Australia for example. His overall WPM was very impressive as well and he finished near the top in this countdown. Not having to share his wickets much was a factor there though. Overall he took 8 ten wicket match hauls, which sits him 5th on the all time test list.
Featured on 31 of 35 lists
Highest finish: 6th (1 time)
Ranking within spin discipline: 4th of 16 (Leg Break Googly)
Test WPM ranking: 12th of 43 (4.69)
According to this CW exercise, India's best ever spinner. Arguably their best ever bowler. He finishes as the 4th greatest leggie and is the only non-Australian to feature in the top 5 for leg break bowlers.
Kumble had a massive test career spanning 18 years. It included 619 wickets from 132 tests. Currently third most test wickets of all time. He holds the record for most ever test LBWs with 156 and this comes as no surprise to those who saw him bowl. His fast, straight leg breaks had tremendous kick to them and crept up on many a batsman, striking them dead centre below the knee. He was originally a medium pacer in his youth and kept a tiny bit of that in his spin career. His run up and action was all limbs and leaps and was a sight to see.
It all came together one famous afternoon in 1999 when he took all 10 wickets in a Pakistan innings to give India a memorable victory. He bowled his country to countless more. At home he was a beast, taking 350 wickets at 24. Even though his overall average was just under 30, he was very consistent against all sides and his worst overall record against a country was just 32(Pakistan and South Africa). So no one batting unit could really take him apart at home.
Away it was a different story however. He averaged above 40 in four countries and 37 in Australia. His overall away average was just under 36. Despite being more expensive he still managed to take plenty of wickets in some of these countries, taking nearly 5 a test in Australia for example. His overall WPM was very impressive as well and he finished near the top in this countdown. Not having to share his wickets much was a factor there though. Overall he took 8 ten wicket match hauls, which sits him 5th on the all time test list.
Last edited:
Starfighter
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
More like just anti-Aus/Eng
harsh.ag
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
By ranking Underwood #2?
More like trying to make sure Murali has a higher chance of finishing at #2 overall, I think.
Borges
International Regular
More like refusing to rank players one has never seen.
Also an anti-vote against loudmouthed idiots who believe that finger spin is irrelevant to cricket.
Coronis
International Coach
More like a stupid list. Nobody thinks finger spin is irrelevant, there are 3 finger spinners to come and 4 wrist spinners. Blatantly casting a **** vote to push against an agenda that doesn’t exist is moronic. Also if Warne if the 15th best you’ve ever seen can you please share some of your stash with the rest of us.
Last edited:
harsh.ag
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
When you say wristing, you mean fisting, right?
harsh.ag
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
He deleted it like a good samaritan
marc71178
Eyes not spreadsheets
Would make sense seeing as Warne is the biggest wanker in cricket.
TheJediBrah
Request Your Custom Title Now!
That was news to you?
Slifer
International Captain
Intimidation or not , modern players are not any better than their predecessors at playing pace. This is even more amplified where a solid batting lineup comes up vs serious pace in helpful conditions. I'm thinking of the ashes series in 05 and the English attack was at its zenith vs a solid aussie lineup. That Oz lineup was owned. Just bowling fast isn't everything, see Patrick Patterson vs a Walsh. It's about mixing it up, landing the ball in the right areas, building pressure etc. Again, if modern players came up against a player like Rabada regularly on an old Sabina wicket or old Perth wicket they'd fall like nine pins.