subshakerz
Hall of Fame Member
Who would you hand the red cherry?
-
Welcome to the Cricket Web forums, one of the biggest forums in the world dedicated to cricket.
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join the Cricket Web community today!
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.
Who is the best new ball bowler of all time?
- Thread starter subshakerz
- Start date
ashley bach
Cricketer Of The Year
Think it's relatively safe to eliminate Jimmy Anderson even at his very peak.
One down thirteen to go.
One down thirteen to go.
capt_Luffy
Cricketer Of The Year
It's disrespectful to add Asif and Philander but not Sydney Barnes.
SillyCowCorner1
Moooo
I like when they give the 2nd new ball to Makhaya Ntini
PlayerComparisons
International Vice-Captain
McGrath
kyear2
International Coach
I understand those who rate McGrath over Marshall based in longevity, but based on their ability, range of skill, Marshall takes it. Marshall had his express pace, skiddy bounce, swing (both ways) and unparalleled adaptability to different conditions. He also challenged your safety, while being just as miserly, which was rare for someone with as low a s/r.
McGrath was also effective, accurate, persistent and consistently tested your technique, but Maco also did that while testing your will to be at the crease.
Just my two cents
McGrath was also effective, accurate, persistent and consistently tested your technique, but Maco also did that while testing your will to be at the crease.
Just my two cents
shortpitched713
International Captain
If Wasim is on this list, I don't see why Imran wouldn't be.
I've looked through his scorecards, especially at his peak, and he is a beast with the new ball. Its only surprising, because those who want to disparage him would say ball tampering got him a bunch of old ball wickets with reverse swing, but this throws away all the damage that a genuine express pace bowler like him naturally did with the new ball.
Of the 3 of Imran and the Ws I'd say he was the best with the new ball, as compared to reverse with the old ball, which makes sense because he was something of a pioneer ( I know Sarfaraz Nawaz is the inventor, but he didn't reach the same heights as these 3 ). The 2 Ws, especially Waqar, really perfected the art of reverse swing.
I think he's better than Wasim with the new ball, and at his peak one of the very, very best with the new ball.
I've looked through his scorecards, especially at his peak, and he is a beast with the new ball. Its only surprising, because those who want to disparage him would say ball tampering got him a bunch of old ball wickets with reverse swing, but this throws away all the damage that a genuine express pace bowler like him naturally did with the new ball.
Of the 3 of Imran and the Ws I'd say he was the best with the new ball, as compared to reverse with the old ball, which makes sense because he was something of a pioneer ( I know Sarfaraz Nawaz is the inventor, but he didn't reach the same heights as these 3 ). The 2 Ws, especially Waqar, really perfected the art of reverse swing.
I think he's better than Wasim with the new ball, and at his peak one of the very, very best with the new ball.
Surprised so many people are going with Marshall above Mcgrath. Most people think they are in the same league. I assume anyone who fancies Marshall enough to vote for him here regards him as a significantly better old ball bowler. If they are close overall and Marshall wins the old ball it stands to reason that Mcgrath wins the new ball.
kyear2
International Coach
So many questions... They're not in the same league?
And I don't get the point of reference for the old ball.
If you think Marshall is significantly better overall, then rating him ahead as a new ball bowler makes sense. Most people think they are very close though.
Marshall was more of a threat with the old ball. Mcgrath was just keeping things tight a fair amount of the time.
shortpitched713
International Captain
The only way to find out is to look at all of their scorecards, and determine performance new / old ball that way...
No takers, anyone... ?
No takers, anyone... ?
kyear2
International Coach
Understood, I understand that lot more of us saw McGrath live and how he worked out batsmen or frustrated them into mistakes.
Marshall from around '83 was irresistible, I went into detail already earlier in the thread as to why I believe Marshall was better with the new and old ball, so wouldn't do that again. But unlike some, I don't think it's a toss up between the two for the GOAT, unless like PEWS you're basing it primarily on longevity. Marshall could do everything, and had so much more tools than Glenn. And no knock on Pidge, he's so clearly the no. 2 guy ever.
Last edited:
smash84
The Tiger King
This is a really difficult one. I would probably give the edge to McGrath for bowling with the old ball. He could reverse it when needed. But Marshall was better at working out batsmen's weaknesses in multiple areas IMO whereas McGrath would generally get the batsmen by just tiny movements of line and length that the batsmen generally find difficult to negotiate from one ball to the next. It's fast and skinny vs bouncy
subshakerz
Hall of Fame Member
I agree with your points but I think McGrath is the one I would expect to get most of a bright red cherry in seaming conditions even more than Marshall.
I think McGrath had extra bounce that made a balk kick up off a length and that expertise of seam.
However, on a flat pitch Marshall takes it. So it's close.
Patience and Accuracy+Gut
State Vice-Captain
Barnes deserving of a mention.
Fair enough in your case. You give Marshall a big edge. I'd also rank Marshall ahead with the new ball if I thought there was a big gap between them overall. Most people put them closer than you do though.
subshakerz
Hall of Fame Member
Frankly what about Lillee with the new ball? Wasn't he supposed to be a champ?