Dale Steyn vs Allan Donald vs Shaun Pollock

[Fuller Pilch]

Waqar was never rated better than Wasim, even at his peak.

In the early 90s he was.

 

[Jayro]

If memory serves right he remained a 24 year old for a couple or more years.

Is Waqar's birthdate legitimate? If so, it's amazing how his peak came and went well before he'd turned 25. The '96 WC was the last he resembled the glory years but he was already in decline even then (and not 25 yet!).

 

[honestbharani]

Yeah he is definitely older than Sachin, I think he even admitted it himself, his age as shown during his playing days was a good 3 years off his real one.

 

[Kirkut]

Look at the 90s greats. Pick a period of x number of years that suits their peak and you can make a case for most of them being the best over a certain period.

Wasim may have been the best test bowler from 90-97 (idk, not checking). But that doesnt make him the best bowler of the whole 90s as you are saying... he is behind a few others when counting the whole of the decade. Not that I think the best of the decade means much, but at least it at least avoids cherrypicking.

And he wasnt the best for any meaningful period. 90-94, most of the period you are considering, he was a long way from the best bowler in his own team (not much of an indictement tbf, considering Waqar had arguably the best period ever for a quick, but he wasnt the only one).

And then there were better bowlers from 95-97 as well. Mcgraths most effective period, for example, way better in every statistically measurable way than Wasim

Donald and Ambrose ruled the 90s in tests. McGrath started to become the premier bowler from 1999 onwards.

 

[Bolo.]

Donald and Ambrose ruled the 90s in tests. McGrath started to become the premier bowler from 1999 onwards.

Ya they were better bowlers in the 90s than him, or Wasim.

Im just picking an example from 95-97 who was ahead of Wasim.

 

[Pup Clarke]

Another factor is who would you pay to watch? They're all world class. Sure, I'd personally pay good money to watch McGrath or Ambrose, but for someone like Wasim or Donald I'd pay much more to experience they're bowling. I thought Donald was the most exciting bowler I've ever seen live -terrifying and thrilling in equal measure

 

[ankitj]

Yes, Donald doesn't get as much credit as Ambrose for being terrifying but he was almost as terrifying when in rhythm. Perfect fast bowler to the eye.

 

[PlayerComparisons]

Rabada

 

[Coronis]

These polls used to get so many votes

 

[Kenneth Viljoen]

Rabada

T20 is luring him away from reaching his true potential , the fire that he had 5 years ago its no longer there ..Goes through the motions a lot

 

[PlayerComparisons]

T20 is luring him away from reaching his true potential , the fire that he had 5 years ago its no longer there ..Goes through the motions a lot

I think he’ll probably end up better than Pollock but worse than Steyn and Donald