Silver Line
U19 Debutant
then go ahead and eliminate bradman from conversations of great batsmen like tendulkar and lara lolJust played 10 more tests
then go ahead and eliminate bradman from conversations of great batsmen like tendulkar and lara lolJust played 10 more tests
Dude, Wasim played 104 tests, Steyn 93. There isn’t an issue of longevity or anything here.then go ahead and eliminate bradman from conversations of great batsmen like tendulkar and lara lol
I greatly disagreethe difference between these bowlers in the top 10 is way too low to argue. At the end of the day these top 10-15 whatever bowlers will do better in different conditions than eachother but overall they were all an equal luxury to have in an attack. Batting is where the differences are high as not every one of these top 10 bowlers had the capability to provide with the bat on top of their world class spells.
Akram is one of the best touring bowlers in Australia. He was far, far from average. He had no bad tours there and averaged 24 against very strong lineups. He has a 10fer and 3fers in Australia. In any case he was much better than Steyn and post 2008 Steyn didn't face better lineups. Before diabetes, Akram averaged 19 in Australia! His overall record until 1997 is 23 away (better than Steyn) and 21 at home (better than Steyn on much, much tougher decks). Sure, I'll give you that Steyn was better in India but it's completely laughable to suggest both of them were average in Australia. Akram is next to Hadlee and Ambrose in Australia.Both were average in Aus. The mid 2000s SC tracks were some of the most batting friendly wickets ever. Akram is better Steyn in Eng(wickets in Eng were flatter then than in 90s), but both have mediocre record there. Strum’s average indicates he is worse than Akram there, but again he bowled on much flatter tracks, and has some great spells there. So much closer in Aus also. In Ind, Wasim’s record is not good, Steyns is just next to Marshall and Mcgrath
And how many more years? Akram played a lot more ODIs. Again this isn't his fault. The gap between Akram and Steyn is minuscule.Just played 10 more tests
Akram had a longer career in terms of years and played 20-30 ODIs each year. Not his fault he didn't play the same volume of tests but the added longevity hurts his numbers significantly. No reason why he isn't among the top pacers.Dude, Wasim played 104 tests, Steyn 93. There isn’t an issue of longevity or anything here.
I’m sorry. I meant to say both were average in Eng.Akram is one of the best touring bowlers in Australia. He was far, far from average. He had no bad tours there and averaged 24 against very strong lineups. He has a 10fer and 3fers in Australia. In any case he was much better than Steyn and post 2008 Steyn didn't face better lineups. Before diabetes, Akram averaged 19 in Australia! His overall record until 1997 is 23 away (better than Steyn) and 21 at home (better than Steyn on much, much tougher decks). Sure, I'll give you that Steyn was better in India but it's completely laughable to suggest both of them were average in Australia. Akram is next to Hadlee and Ambrose in Australia.
And how many more years? Akram played a lot more ODIs. Again this isn't his fault. The gap between Akram and Steyn is minuscule.
Across formats, I would without a doubt put Akram leagues ahead. Even if you account for longevity, Steyn is clearly better for me, taking into consideration home/away performance, the eras in which they played, Steyn’s superior SR, WPM.Akram had a longer career in terms of years and played 20-30 ODIs each year. Not his fault he didn't play the same volume of tests but the added longevity hurts his numbers significantly. No reason why he isn't among the top pacers.
He really doesn't though. Akram's reputation isn't borne out in his numbers as they are other bowlers in that top tier.And akram being able to sustain his fitness to play 5 more years, is not his fault. Steyn if he continued 5 more years would not have been able to parallel Akram anymore. And Akram played with diabetes too lol. Trust me dude in everyones general consensus without looking at stats and stuff, Akram comes off as the most rated bowler
Why?And while playing with diabetes is beyond admirable, it can't factor into the conversation.
Everton Weekes destroyed his leg prior to the Australia Tour and was never the same again, but still has the reputation of a minnow basher that couldn't get it done vs the better teams.Why?
He already had a full ATG career prior to that though. The problem is that people would rate him higher because he had better averages if he had simply retired when he got diagnosed with diabetes. Bishop and other what-ifs don't compare. Any sensible person should account for Hutton's war injury when rating him too.Everton Weekes destroyed his leg prior to the Australia Tour and was never the same again, but still has the reputation of a minnow basher that couldn't get it done vs the better teams.
Len Hutton had a catastrophic arm injury during the war that left one arm significantly shorter than the next, it isn't factored in by most when talking about his career.
Ian Bishop was headed on a career trajectory possibly higher than Ambrose before his back injury, but no one speaks of him in that group.
So while it would have taken its toll, it's difficult to say how much it would have impacted his career.
Again, it's admirable how he managed to continue his career during and after.
I agree with this. Also I think CW overcorrects and tends to underrate guys that are overrated elsewhere. This is true of Viv and Lillee too. De Silva beat Jayawardena in a poll here some time ago and I found that to be another example of this phenomena.Steyn is for sure better than Akram for me too. But I really don't agree with the reasons given by most posters for Akram's supposed inferiority to Mcgrath /ambrose /Steyn often. Not accounting for his unusually long career and late career diabetes affecting his averages doesn't make a whole lot of sense when he'd had a full ATG level career already. His numbers pre diabetes compare extremely favourably with the very top tier of pacers both in terms of averages and longevity/volume.
Steyn's ability to wreck lineups and take wickets in clumps more frequently is what puts him above Wasim imo. Generally bowled to superior batting lineups too.
I do believe this is true, but him being in my top 10 and ahead of Lillee is more indicative of where he should be rather than an over correction.I agree with this. Also I think CW overcorrects and tends to underrate guys that are overrated elsewhere. This is true of Viv and Lillee too. De Silva beat Jayawardena in a poll here some time ago and I found that to be another example of this phenomena.
I think it’s worth considering a bowling attack if selecting an XI. Even if you don’t think Wasim is outright top 3, his ability to do things with an older ball that others can’t in a real match scenario would be really vital. With him also being a left handed and good enough bat, he’s a must pick for me.But Akram for me is closer to borderline top 10 than he is to my top 5 and definitely not as good as Steyn, but know many would disagree.