Ok as long as we acknowledge that Wasim in Australia has a perfectly good record.
I see this more to Sobers credit than Wasim's detriment but then Sobers was even more exceptional as a bat than Wasim was as a bowler. But yes I will some leeway to Wasim should be given for those early maturation years which could be tougher as a pacer.
Wasn't just the drops themselves, but how they demotivated the bowlers, especially with a temperamental team like Pakistan. We saw that effect recently in the second test of Pak in Aus year.
I can't tell you how many times I would see regular drops off Wasim and Waqar after they had built up pressure and them struggle to regain their rhythm afterwards. Something similar happened to Kaneria, a better spinner than his numbers show, who had Akmal as a keeper.
I think Wasim would be a 22 averaging bowler with a healthier 4+WPM if those factors are considered. It would be much closer between him and Ambrose.
Wasim wouldn't rank high on bowling IQ like McGrath or Marshall. He was not the most thinking bowler. He often said he didn't know what ball would be coming next from his hand. His early career he was literally asking Imran what to bowl every other delivery.
I said the record was below par in comparison to Ambrose's which was exceptional.
The drops fo even further, as it almost restricts your ability to bowl your full arsenal.
Everyone always says that the top 10 for bowlers are so close and great, but after the top 3 (or 4), everyone had some little issues. Even for selecting our fav atg teams, the 3rd is an issue (for me at least)
Hadlee
Pro: clear no. 3 or 4 all time
Con: similar to McGrath, no reverse, mostly fav conditions
Ambrose: top 3
See above (though less friendly conditions)
Steyn
Pro: strike rate, India record, swing & reverse, flat era
Con: run rate, , despite flat era most success came at home
Wasim
Pro: peer ratings, reverse, variety, skill, at xis
Cons: his stats, all of them
Imran
Pro: batting, reverse
Cons: away record
