Top 10 Greatest Fast Bowlers of All Time in Tests?

[Migara]

If numbers DONT change with time, then 7 wickets per match at 16.4!

Numbers are numbers. However, numbers are good source of information. Opinions are rather flimsy mode of information.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Numbers are numbers. However, numbers are good source of information. Opinions are rather flimsy mode of information.

Again, you could also say the exact opposite

 

[rtramdas]

epic battle between Migara and rtramdas in coming.

can wait

no need of any battle with any one. just can't accept as such the credentials of those who achieved greatness thru unfair tactics .... it is that simple...

 

[Burgey]

M A T T I N G W I C K E T S

im not gonna pretend they weren't cricket but it's certainly something else than what it's played on now

I played on mats as a kid, before syntho became mainstream. They were ****ing dangerous.

 

[Migara]

I played on mats as a kid, before syntho became mainstream. They were ****ing dangerous.

Especially when it gets worn out. One comes at shin height and then next one cuts back and hits you on the chest

 

[Gob]

Especially when it gets worn out. One comes at shin height and then next one cuts back and hits you on the chest

Don't forget the balls

 

[Line and Length]

I only played one game on matting. I enjoyed bowling and was relieved to be batting at #11 and at the non-striker's end when our final wicket fell.

 

[Starfighter]

I'd have liked to have a go on coir matting. Artificial grass on concrete is rubbish unless you only rely on bounce.

 

[Victor Ian]

I used to play on matting. The trick is to get to the ground late enough to not be tasked with laying down the mats to start play. Also to get out before end of play and nick off early.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

It isn’t true to say that all matting wickets are dangerous. They can be slow with low bounce and difficult to score runs or take wickets on.

 

[subshakerz]

When you pick an ATG XI, the objective is to win matches

When you pick a ATG Top 10, the objective goes beyond that to also include color, character, contribution to the game…i.e what did they bring to the cricketing table

In this regard, the difference between Marshall and Barnes is stark

Marshall was fortunate to find himself in the midst of the greatest fast bowling attack the game has known. He came after Roberts, Holding, Garner, and before Ambrose, Walsh. He was surrounded by a supporting cast of superstars who passed along tips and techniques, tricks and tactics to torment and torture batsmen out.

Barnes stands alone, with but his wits and wiliness to winkle out batsmen one way or another.

Put another way, if Marshall did not exist, there were a plethora of pacers from within the W.Indies who would fill the void with barely a ripple.

If Barnes did not exist, the game would not be as rich as it is with his powerful performances and profound story.

And that’s why he has withstood the test of time, for over 100 years.

Marshall wasn't just part of the greatest pace attack, he was LEADER of that attack. To give you an idea, during his peak, he was averaging around 6 wickets a test while having all-stars around him.

 

[Victor Ian]

That's because the batsmen were seeing off the threats from the other end while going after Marshall and gifting him wickets.

 

[TheJediBrah]

I'd have liked to have a go on coir matting. Artificial grass on concrete is rubbish unless you only rely on bounce.

Synthetic wickets are a joke to play on. You can just sit back and cross bat everything, you don't really need to be good to make a **** load of runs. Some comps make up for it by using 2-piece balls though.

 

[NotMcKenzie]

You can just sit back and cross bat everything, you don't really need to be good to make a **** load of runs.

If only it were that easy... or I'm just really bad at batting

 

[Starfighter]

Synthetic wickets are a joke to play on. You can just sit back and cross bat everything, you don't really need to be good to make a **** load of runs. Some comps make up for it by using 2-piece balls though.

They really are a joke. Surely there's some kind of reasonably cheap surface that's better. It really favours eye players and unless the bowling is quick they're used to the extra swing of the two-piece. Played a season on matting once and a team used to playing on turf got smashed every game by guys who didn't move their feet an inch. Very hard to bowl spin on too, unless you bowl unrealistically slow the ball just skids.

 

[honestbharani]

We played all our school games on matting wickets except for the KO games. Like others said, it depends on how used the mat was, really and how cut up it was in the surface. Our school's one was pretty even and worn, so the bounce and pace was predictable even if a bit quicker than some of the more uneven and harder ones.

Basically, home games were when we used our mat and away games were when we used the other school's mat even though we were usually playing in the same ground.

 

[TheJediBrah]

They really are a joke. Surely there's some kind of reasonably cheap surface that's better. It really favours eye players and unless the bowling is quick they're used to the extra swing of the two-piece. Played a season on matting once and a team used to playing on turf got smashed every game by guys who didn't move their feet an inch. Very hard to bowl spin on too, unless you bowl unrealistically slow the ball just skids.

I've seen the opposite a bit. Guy that has dominated on synthetic gets picked up for a season and turns out completely useless in real cricket.

 

[Starfighter]

I've seen the opposite a bit. Guy that has dominated on synthetic gets picked up for a season and turns out completely useless in real cricket.

That's the usual case. Was the club's dregs team put in too high a grade and encountered a lot of blokes who were bigger and much stronger hitters, but not willing to stump up to play on turf. It was miserable and a big part of why I quit playing. Kinda frustrating getting smashed when if the ball stayed lower and deviated once in a while I could've easily gotten them out. Also that these blokes were generally stronger and more athletic than most local third grade turf teams, potential going to waste because turf cricket is so expensive.

 

[Migara]

Don't forget the balls

Yes, yes, some incutters have "their" name engraved all over on them.

 

[Pap Finn Keighl]

Marshall wasn't just part of the greatest pace attack, he was LEADER of that attack. To give you an idea, during his peak, he was averaging around 6 wickets a test while having all-stars around him.

Who was best bowler in the world during Marshall's peak?

Imran or Hadlee ?
?