Top 10 Greatest Fast Bowlers of All Time in Tests?

[Jack1]

"Ambrose vs Akram.. Bit like Tyson vs Ali.. I think"

Frank Tyson was a far quicker bowler than Moeen Ali

Seriously though, all these attempts to dissect the careers of two great bowlers in a futile attempt to paint one as better than the other is pointless. Both were ATGs and comparisons are subjective.

BTW ... Frank Tyson was quicker than both and, on his day, more destructive.

Mayweather vs Ali

 

[Gob]

He’s right

No

 

[subshakerz]

I don't put much stock in the opinions of past players after hearing them commentate.*

*though even this has nuance. Broadcasters have strange opinions on what they think the public wants to hear, and commentators vary in quality depending on who they work for.

Individually perhaps no, but if there is a common opinion that one bowler stands out from others then I think it is worth listening to. After all, these are the batsmen who actually face the bowlers. Unless we are talking about a guy like Afridi whose opinion itself should be ignored.

 

[Jack1]

Individually perhaps no, but if there is a common opinion that one bowler stands out from others then I think it is worth listening to. After all, these are the batsmen who actually face the bowlers. Unless we are talking about a guy like Afridi whose opinion itself should be ignored.

What’s wrong with Afridi? Explain.

 

[honestbharani]

What’s wrong with Afridi? Explain.

 

[Jack1]

Don’t look back in anger

 

[Pap Finn Keighl]

Individually perhaps no, but if there is a common opinion that one bowler stands out from others then I think it is worth listening to. After all, these are the batsmen who actually face the bowlers. Unless we are talking about a guy like Afridi whose opinion itself should be ignored.

Yes.
Akram wins in this regard. And its not even arguable. ( though the margin is lesser than Viv vs Gavaskar, Lillee/Steyn vs other pacers of the generation )

 

[Chrish]

Other than M & M, you can pick other top 8 bowlers and arrange them into random order and still have a reasonable claim to be “right”.

Must admit I find top 10 pace bowlers debate bit tedious primarily because other than top two, they are pretty much indistinguishable..

 

[AndrewB]

To add a bit of variety to the lists: Who are the top 10 pace bowlers whose careers ended before 1980?

 

[nightprowler10]

On the Wasim discussion, though not significantly (props to him), his stats definitely suffered late career due to being diabetic. He likely played the last 5 years of his career while battling this condition and losing vision/strength. Personally, I would have both Ambrose and Wasim in my all-time XI. I grew up idolizing Wasim so there's the obvious bias, but he definitely brings variety to any ATG team and was extremely handy with the bat (he significantly underachieved as a batter). He would actually bring really good contrast when bowling in tandem with Ambrose.

Having said all that, in a 1:1 Test match bowling comparison, it's tough for even me to pick Wasim over Ambrose. Amby was an intimidating metronome who was rarely ineffective, and when he wasn't taking wickets he was still keeping things extremely tight and building pressure. I didn't watch too much red ball cricket as a kid, but from what I gather Wasim was quite a bit more loose (possibly a consequence of what he was trying to achieve with the ball).

 

[a massive zebra]

Lindwall
Trueman
Lillee
Imran
Hadlee
Marshall
Ambrose
Waqar
McGrath
Donald
Steyn

 

[a massive zebra]

To add a bit of variety to the lists: Who are the top 10 pace bowlers whose careers ended before 1980?

Fred Spofforth
Tom Richardson
Harold Larwood
Aĺec Bedser
Ray Lindwall
Free Trueman
Fazal Mahmood
Alan Davidson
Neil Adcock
Wes Hall
John Snow

 

[subshakerz]

On the Wasim discussion, though not significantly (props to him), his stats definitely suffered late career due to being diabetic. He likely played the last 5 years of his career while battling this condition and losing vision/strength. Personally, I would have both Ambrose and Wasim in my all-time XI. I grew up idolizing Wasim so there's the obvious bias, but he definitely brings variety to any ATG team and was extremely handy with the bat (he significantly underachieved as a batter). He would actually bring really good contrast when bowling in tandem with Ambrose.

Having said all that, in a 1:1 Test match bowling comparison, it's tough for even me to pick Wasim over Ambrose. Amby was an intimidating metronome who was rarely ineffective, and when he wasn't taking wickets he was still keeping things extremely tight and building pressure. I didn't watch too much red ball cricket as a kid, but from what I gather Wasim was quite a bit more loose (possibly a consequence of what he was trying to achieve with the ball).

I never really got that variety argument to include Wasim in an all-time XI. You already have Gary Sobers who can give you left arm pace and spin. And Imran can give you reverse swing and is simply a better bowler than Wasim.

 

[nightprowler10]

I never really got that variety argument to include Wasim in an all-time XI. You already have Gary Sobers who can give you left arm pace and spin. And Imran can give you reverse swing and is simply a better bowler than Wasim.

Wasim also brings you that factor of creating chances when nothing is giving. But yeah he easily has the weakest argument in my all-time XI. I also usually create my XI without Bradman so I'd really have all the people mentioned haha.

 

[Pap Finn Keighl]

Most batsmen by their own admission struggled against Akram. That counts.
Only that he played longer ruined his stats and lack of fielding support reduced his impact. Akram bowling with 90s SA/AUS fielders would be the perfect Hell for batsmen.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Most batsmen by their own admission struggled against Akram. That counts.
Only that he played longer ruined his stats and lack of fielding support reduced his impact. Akram bowling with 90s SA/AUS fielders would be the perfect Hell for batsmen.

What about Akram without ball tampering

 

[Slifer]

What about Akram without ball tampering

?????

 

[OverratedSanity]

1) Marshall
2) Hadlee
3) McGrath
4) Steyn
5) Imran
6) Ambrose
7) Wasim
8) Donald
9) Lillee
10) Waqar

Will be surprised if Cummins by the end of his career didn't crack this list. He's top 5 quality without the longevity atm. Just one of the most insanely consistent bowlers I've ever seen.

 

[Gob]

1) Marshall
2) Hadlee
3) McGrath
4) Steyn
5) Imran
6) Ambrose
7) Wasim
8) Donald
9) Lillee
10) Waqar

Will be surprised if Cummins by the end of his career didn't crack this list. He's top 5 quality without the longevity atm. Just one of the most insanely consistent bowlers I've ever seen.

Not enough big hauls is the only criticism so far imo. Can fix it obviously

 

[subshakerz]

1) Marshall
2) Hadlee
3) McGrath
4) Steyn
5) Imran
6) Ambrose
7) Wasim
8) Donald
9) Lillee
10) Waqar

Will be surprised if Cummins by the end of his career didn't crack this list. He's top 5 quality without the longevity atm. Just one of the most insanely consistent bowlers I've ever seen.

Cummins still needs to prove himself in the subcontinent though. I wonder how he will do, as he is somewhat of a hit the deck type of bowler.