Who is the greatest part time bowler of all-time?

[shortpitched713]

If we're defining the "greatest" ideal part timer as someone who bowled rather infrequently, but was much more effective than such a rarity of bowling would indicate, then I would have to go later 2/3 of career Steve Waugh (1st 1/3 I guess he would be called a batting all-rounder).

If you were South African or English, seeing him warm up made you genuinely afraid. That's not something that many or any other part timers I can think of can boast.

 

[Majestic]

you cant call someone a part timer just because they’re bad though as that would disqualify so many players picked on their bowling, it has to be based on how they’re used and what their role is. England have used him close to a 2nd or 3rd spinner often over the last few years and that doesnt scream part timer to me

respect your view if you see it differently though since the definition of a part timer is really nebulous and varies from person to person

That's an interesting assessment. There are some part time bowlers who don't bowl much but seemed like very capable 5th bowling option ( probably just a shade below A/Rs). But if they would have actually been used regularly, we might have come to a conclusion that they were actually not as good as we thought and after a certain level, their limitations get noticed.

That's exactly what has happened with Joe Root. He really seemed as a very very good part timer but with Stokes not bowling and since they want to use Root as 5th bowler regularly ,the limitation is more clearly visible now.

 

[subshakerz]

I'm still astounded how Carl Hooper got so many wickets. Boycott described his bowling as the lollipop stuff.

 

[Sunil1z]

I'm still astounded how Carl Hooper got so many wickets. Boycott described his bowling as the lollipop stuff.

Batsmen tried to attack him because they were tired of scoring few runs against WI pace attack .

 

[shortpitched713]

Hooper was quality, but I don't know if he counts as a part timer.

 

[J_C]

Greg Chappell with 72 wickets in 74 ODIs @ 29 worth a shout.

 

[subshakerz]

Hooper was quality, but I don't know if he counts as a part timer.

He is below an AR for me

 

[_00_deathscar]

Batsmen tried to attack him because they were tired of scoring few runs against WI pace attack .

Also known as the Lord Shardul Tactic

 

[shortpitched713]

He is below an AR for me

If that's your criteria, you're going to get a lot of "batting ARs in disguise" types. I mentioned 2/3 or Steve Waugh's career because that's the part in which he was a purely "optional" bowler for Aus. I don't think Hooper's bowling really was "optional", especially on away tracks tough for pace.

 

[Ray.]

Travis Head

 

[howitzer]

Doug Walters surely takes the cake here. In a 74 Test career he only bowled 10+ overs in an innings 14 times and averaged sub 30 despite playing a decent proportion of his career in a high scoring era.

 

[howitzer]

29 of his 49 wickets come in those 14 innings too.

 

[MartinB]

Seamer - Steve Waugh and Carl Hooper

Carl Hooper bowled Spin.

Doug Walters would be one of the best part time seamers.
Greg Chappell was also very useful for keep the runs down his economy rate (2.15) is better than McGraths.

 

[Bolo.]

Hansie Cronje is a good shout If we want to look at players who were definitely part-timers. Averages just below 30 but only 0.63 WPM.

Second half of his career he averages 20 with less than 1 WPM.

 

[honestbharani]

Hansie Cronje is a good shout If we want to look at players who were definitely part-timers. Averages just below 30 but only 0.63 WPM.

Second half of his career he averages 20 with less than 1 WPM.

And the endorsement of Sachin.

 

[kyear2]

Bobby Simpson, Carl Hooper, Joe Root all in with a shout, but for me it's Hammond.

Think these guys are just invaluable to a team for flexibility and utility. Added to that, Root aside, all were unsurpassable slip fielders.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Phillips is currently averaging 17.47 with the ball with a 5-fer and a 4-fer, but might already be considered an allrounder.

 

[Zinzan]

Seamer - Steve Waugh and Carl Hooper
Spinner - Sachin Tendulkar, Mark Waugh and Joe Root

These names coming on top of my head. Can be more.

Hooper was a spinner IIRC

 

[capt_Luffy]

I think the problem here, what even is a part timer? Was Wally Hammond a part timer? If not, do Steve Waugh qualify?? The problem is, the moment you became a certain degree of good with the ball; you become an all-rounder. Anyways, the 3 I will pick, as the men with golden arm who could give you an important break thorough when your frontliners can't:
Virendra Sehwag
Doug Walters
Ken Barrington

 

[h_hurricane]

Doug Walters should win this easily.

Garner should have been the best part time bowler ever if he took his batting more seriously.