Curtly Ambrose vs Wasim Akram

[trundler]

Anyway, if Akram had retired around ~96 (as long a career as Ambrose) I suspect this would've been a much closer poll and criticisms about him not running through sides or whatever wouldn't stand given he had 1 less fifer in 26 fewer matches, 2 more 10fers and a better strike rate but alas not everyone is anal about only comparing equivalent career lengths like me.

 

[Ali TT]

Anyway, if Akram had retired around ~96 (as long a career as Ambrose) I suspect this would've been a much closer poll and criticisms about him not running through sides or whatever wouldn't stand given he had 1 less fifer in 26 fewer matches, 2 more 10fers and a better strike rate but alas not everyone is anal about only comparing equivalent career lengths like me.

Despite debuting earlier, Akram played 6 more tests and took 9 more wickets. He played a lot more ODIs.

 

[Coronis]

Wasim had a much longer career career, much worse fielding support and much tougher home decks so the statistical gap between them is pretty much entirely down to those things. Wasim was picked as a teen and had to learn on the job, something people consider for Tendulkar but not him. And still put in some epic performances against that ATG WI team. Akram played for 5 more years than Ambrose which is pretty substantial.

It literally has nothing to do with their home decks.

 

[trundler]

It literally has nothing to do with their home decks.

False.

 

[CricAddict]

It literally has nothing to do with their home decks.

Decks in Pakistan are/were much much flatter than those in West Indies. You can just check the batting averages in the country to get a view.

 

[Coronis]

My point was Ambrose’s record was more well rounded than Akram’s i.e against different opponents and NOT at home.

 

[subshakerz]

Anyway, if Akram had retired around ~96 (as long a career as Ambrose) I suspect this would've been a much closer poll and criticisms about him not running through sides or whatever wouldn't stand given he had 1 less fifer in 26 fewer matches, 2 more 10fers and a better strike rate but alas not everyone is anal about only comparing equivalent career lengths like me.

Yes. Akrams early debut definitely impacted his figures.

The thing is, unlike Donald, Ambrose and Akram are very close when it comes to peer rating, but Ambrose has a notably better record.

I still think Ambrose in the SC is a bit of a question mark for me and I would take Akram over him there.

But Akram can't compete with Ambrose's level of destruction in Australia, and in other key spells, also Ambrose's parsimony which allowed him to keep a low average even after his peak in 94.

I would pay to watch a new ball spell of them bowling together.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Ambrose might have won this comprehensively (I also voted for him) , but if we have to select ATXI then most people would prefer Akram over Ambrose because they would expect McGrath to do the Ambrose role .

Also because Akram offers left-arm variety and decent batting. I'd say Ambrose was the slightly better bowler, but Wasim was the better cricketer.

 

[Ali TT]

Ambrose might have won this comprehensively (I also voted for him) , but if we have to select ATXI then most people would prefer Akram over Ambrose because they would expect McGrath to do the Ambrose role .

You could


...drum roll...


even have all 3

 

[Sunil1z]

You could


...drum roll...


even have all 3

Marshall is fixed in ATXI.

 

[BazBall21]

Also because Akram offers left-arm variety and decent batting. I'd say Ambrose was the slightly better bowler, but Wasim was the better cricketer.

Yeah, better cricketer would have made it interesting. Ambrose was always going to win the better bowler vote easily.

 

[BazBall21]

I don't do subjective things like this often but lent a vote to Wasim as 29-3 feels wrong.

 

[Coronis]

Marshall is fixed in ATXI.

Nobody is fixed.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Nobody is fixed.

Bradman, Sobers, and Hobbs are.
Gilchrist possibly as well.

 

[trundler]

My cat is also.

 

[CricAddict]

Asif and Amir as well.

 

[Salamuddin]

Wasim and Waqar are both a little overrated imho. Ambrose quite easily over Wasim - never seen anyone intimidate Australian batsmen the way Sir Curtly did ( well maybe except Bishop in 1993),

 

[subshakerz]

Wasim and Waqar are both a little overrated imho. Ambrose quite easily over Wasim - never seen anyone intimidate Australian batsmen the way Sir Curtly did ( well maybe except Bishop in 1993),

To be fair, Wasim bowled very well in Australia in a couple of series in the nineties but wasnt as destructive.

I would take Wasim over Ambrose if bowling in the SC.

 

[Ali TT]

Marshall is fixed in ATXI.

I got to watch Ambrose, Wasim and McGrath but sadly a little too young to see Marshall.

 

[subshakerz]

I do think that post-94 shoulder injury Ambrose would have struggled to make any impact on the SC.

Unlike Walsh, he lacked the cutters and guile to really do anything on these pitches, plus he lacked pace too.

He was utterly destroyed in the 97 series in Pakistan to the extent he was thinking retirement.

Wasim, even at reduced pace and on a dead wicket, could still produce a spell like this below: