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Peak Shoaib vs Peak Johnson

Who was the better bowler at their best?


  • Total voters
    33

subshakerz

Hall of Fame Member
Tbf Johnson at his best smashed two very good batting lineups.
Yes. On a sporting wicket, I dont think there is a bowler I rate better for destructive best.

But in the 2nd test of the 2014 SA series, he was neutralised by a slow pitch even though he was peak. And months later he couldnt replicate his magic in the UAE. Hence I hesitate.
 

subshakerz

Hall of Fame Member
I know there are technically better spells from Johnson, but this Durban spell will always be my favorite.

2 wickets in the first over, then he injuries both Smith and Kallis, and finally bowls a wonderful unplayable inswinging yorker to Boucher to round off the session, all over 90 MPH. I've never seen someone do that to Kallis.

 
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Coronis

International Coach
I know there are technically better spells from Johnson, but this Durban spell will always be my favorite.

2 wickets in the first over, then he injuries both Smith and Kallis, and finally bowls a wonderful unplayable inswinging yorker to Boucher to round off the session, all over 90 MPH. I've never seen someone do that to Kallis.

Nobody puts Kallis in a corner.
 

BazBall21

International Captain
Yes. On a sporting wicket, I dont think there is a bowler I rate better for destructive best.

But in the 2nd test of the 2014 SA series, he was neutralised by a slow pitch even though he was peak. And months later he couldnt replicate his magic in the UAE. Hence I hesitate.
Yeah Johnson can't compete with Shoaib in Asia, but Johnson is much better in the southern hemisphere.
 

Arachnodouche

International Captain
Well I would expect Shoaib to be more of an occasional danger in the southern hemisphere than Johnson in Asia.

Here is early career Shoaib blasting through an entire SA lineup through sheer pace.

My favorite version of Shoaib, the first two years on the international stage before the roids and obsession with weights took over. Lean, strapping, athletic, and very fast. Probably became a more skillful bowler later on but the action degenerated and it never felt as effortless.
 

subshakerz

Hall of Fame Member
My favorite version of Shoaib, the first two years on the international stage before the roids and obsession with weights took over. Lean, strapping, athletic, and very fast. Probably became a more skillful bowler later on but the action degenerated and it never felt as effortless.
Yeah. He was a spring around this time whereas later more of a ball and chain.

He also had that excellent test in Calcutta.
 

HouHsiaoHsien

International Debutant
I know there are technically better spells from Johnson, but this Durban spell will always be my favorite.

2 wickets in the first over, then he injuries both Smith and Kallis, and finally bowls a wonderful unplayable inswinging yorker to Boucher to round off the session, all over 90 MPH. I've never seen someone do that to Kallis.

 

number11

State Regular
Both awesome but Akhtar had that bit extra. 45 odd tests is not an insignificant career. Was the most exciting thing in cricket for a decade.
 

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