Peak Shoaib vs Peak Johnson

[PlayerComparisons]

Which bowler had the higher ceiling?

 

[Migara]

There is nothing destructive in world cricket as peak Shoaib. Fastest of all, and the most skilled out of the express bowlers.

 

[Pant Kameez]

There is nothing destructive in world cricket as peak Shoaib. Fastest of all, and the most skilled out of the express bowlers.

I want @Prince EWS opinion on it

 

[Arachnodouche]

Shoaib was chucking it down shamelessly at various points in his career. I could buy the hyperextension when he first appeared and he was legit quick already at that point but that Colombo spell against Aus in particular was as blatant as anything I've seen. Still exciting to watch though.

 

[Himannv]

Peak Johnson for me. Not many better bowlers than that. Pace, swing, and aggression and he looked like he’d get a wicket every ball.

 

[HouHsiaoHsien]

Johnson. What did in the 2013 Ashes and in some series in SA, was absolutely crazy

 

[ma1978]

Peak Johnson. He could dominate entire series.

 

[Pant Kameez]

Johnson. What did in the 2013 Ashes and in some series in SA, was absolutely crazy

According to some Aussie posters Ryan Harris was better.

 

[HouHsiaoHsien]

According to some Aussie posters Ryan Harris was better.

Disagree. Johnson took 37 wickets in 5 matches

 

[subshakerz]

Peak Shoaib easily. He took the pitch out of the equation.

 

[subshakerz]

Shoaib was chucking it down shamelessly at various points in his career. I could buy the hyperextension when he first appeared and he was legit quick already at that point but that Colombo spell against Aus in particular was as blatant as anything I've seen. Still exciting to watch though.

Shoaib is the best argument for legalisation of chucking then IMO.

 

[PlayerComparisons]

It’s a shame Shoaib didn’t have a full career. Could have been a top 5 quick.

 

[HouHsiaoHsien]

Peak Shoaib easily. He took the pitch out of the equation.

Actually I agree with this. I’ll switch my vote

 

[ma1978]

All very well but Johnson has the results, Shoaib less so

 

[PlayerComparisons]

In the 2000s, Shoaib played 33 tests and took 144 wickets at an average of 22.21 and a strike rate of 39.6!

 

[Victor Ian]

Imagine having peak Johnson at one end and Shoab at the other.

 

[Coronis]

Imagine having peak Johnson at one end and Shoab at the other.

One would break down and the other would dominate?

 

[ma1978]

All very well but Johnson has the results, Shoaib less so

In the 2000s, Shoaib played 33 tests and took 144 wickets at an average of 22.21 and a strike rate of 39.6!

Yes. He played 33 tests in a decade. You couldn’t keep him on the pitch. Johnson can dominate entire series

 

[Kirkut]

Johnson even at his peak relied more on his short pitched bowling. He would be destructive on any wicket still, but maybe a slow wicket like Colombo can reduce his sting.

Akhtar had a lethal bouncer but he used it sparingly, he enjoyed pitching it up and send stumps flying. He was so quick in the air that batsmen had hard time reading him even on slow wickets.

 

[subshakerz]

Johnson even at his peak relied more on his short pitched bowling. He would be destructive on any wicket still, but maybe a slow wicket like Colombo can reduce his sting.

We saw that in the 2nd test in the 2014 SA series, Johnson was neutralised.

However, I will say Johnson on the right pitch was more destructive than Shoaib. He has several 7fers against reasonably good batting lineups.