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Michael Holding vs Waqar Younis

Who was the greater bowler? (Tests)

  • Michael Holding

    Votes: 23 63.9%
  • Waqar Younis

    Votes: 13 36.1%

  • Total voters
    36

Slifer

International Captain
Tough one here as well. Waqar pre injury was just about the best fast bowling peak ever imo. But then Michael did have his share of extraordinary performances. Tops for me, would be his 14 for at the Oval on a wicket where Wi piled up nearly 700 runs and England 400+.
 

kyear2

International Coach
Tough one here as well. Waqar pre injury was just about the best fast bowling peak ever imo. But then Michael did have his share of extraordinary performances. Tops for me, would be his 14 for at the Oval on a wicket where Wi piled up nearly 700 runs and England 400+.
Pre injury Waqar was indeed special. Michael though was the initial spearhead of the attack that took the W.I from average to dominant
 

HookShot

U19 Vice-Captain
My God, that run up.

Watching Holding was like watching a Rolls Royce or Bugatti Veyron click into gear and power down the motorway.
 

Kirkut

International Regular
This should be more obvious than the Wasim Akram vs Allan Donald thread. Waqar Younis for me.
 

PlayerComparisons

International Vice-Captain
This should be more obvious than the Wasim Akram vs Allan Donald thread. Waqar Younis for me.
I don't think its obvious. Waqar averaged about 40.5 in Australia, 76.5 in India, 27.5 in England, 27.2 in New Zealand, and 28.3 in South Africa. Holding averaged below 24.3 in every nation except New Zealand, where he averaged 47.9 (the tour with the shitty umpiring). Basically, I think it's pretty close lol. I think it also depends on if you compare them based on peak vs entire career.
 

subshakerz

Hall of Fame Member
Waqars peak but relatively short compared to his entire career and he was not that successful in most countries. So Holding.
 

TheJediBrah

Request Your Custom Title Now!
I don't think its obvious. Waqar averaged about 40.5 in Australia, 76.5 in India, 27.5 in England, 27.2 in New Zealand, and 28.3 in South Africa. Holding averaged below 24.3 in every nation except New Zealand, where he averaged 47.9 (the tour with the ****ty umpiring). Basically, I think it's pretty close lol. I think it also depends on if you compare them based on peak vs entire career.
This is illuminating
 

HookShot

U19 Vice-Captain
He was the first, but Holding was the best of them and the true spear head of the original quartet.
Still reckon that Roberts had the edge over Holding during that iconic 1976 series against England. Bit quicker, more consistent.

But yeah, by 1980 Holding was the spearhead.
 
Last edited:

smash84

The Tiger King
It would have been holding for me quite easily if he wasn't so iinjury prone. Still going with holding but it's close, he's one of my favorite bowlers
 

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