Who is the greatest Old Ball pacer?

[vidiq]

Modern era

 

[Coronis]

I don’t think bowling position can necessarily quantify this question. For example, you could be an opening bowler and still be great with the older ball e.g Wasim. You might even get to take the second new ball even if you’re usually first change (I have a feeling I’ve seen this with Cummins a few times)

It would be interesting to see a list (however it’d be painstaking and horrendous to actually make one) to see how successful bowlers were at in certain points in the innings up to a new ball being taken for example. I’m sure the vast majority would be better with the new ball but it’d be interesting to see by what degree.

 

[The Sean]

This poll feels more like "who is the best first change bowler" (probably Garner or Dreamy Pat) rather than "who is best with the old ball" (probably Imran or Wasim).

 

[DrWolverine]

From options available it is Joel Garner imo

 

[vidiq]

When Pat Cummins used to perform like Prime jasprit Bumrah

 

[Thala_0710]

Bowling position has got nothing to do with it. Also, how do you have shami and not Bumrah in a list of the best old ball pacers?

 

[DrWolverine]

Wasim Akram

 

[vidiq]

Bowling position has got nothing to do with it. Also, how do you have shami and not Bumrah in a list of the best old ball pacers?

Because Bumrah didn't bowl at 3-11 bowling position.
So he is not present in this list

 

[shortpitched713]

Because Bumrah didn't bowl at 3-11 bowling position.
So he is not present in this list

Yeah, the methodology here is flawed. Cricinfo simply doesn't have the requisite data of when exactly during the life of a ball bowlers are using it, except for who gets the first 2 overs of a fresh new ball. Everything after that can't be determined by simple bowling position.

 

[Coronis]

Yeah, the methodology here is flawed. Cricinfo simply doesn't have the requisite data of when exactly during the life of a ball bowlers are using it, except for who gets the first 2 overs of a fresh new ball. Everything after that can't be determined by simple bowling position.

Well they do have the data for more recent matches. But ofc you’d have to manually collect and organise it.

 

[Johan]

Bottlecap Imran

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

Definitely no one from current England setup…changing the ball after 35 overs

(I’ll see myself out)

 

[kyear2]

Just going from the last poll the top options are Wasim then Steyn, Garner and Imran deserves a mention. Hadlee and Marshall were quality as well.

This poll is basically the best first change bowler.

 

[kyear2]

Bottlecap Imran

Even with the bottle caps and the umpires Wasim was still better.

 

[subshakerz]

Even with the bottle caps and the umpires Wasim was still better.

He was more skilled but Imran was more effective.

 

[DrWolverine]

He was more skilled but Imran was more effective.

Imran vs Akram in a nutshell

 

[Coronis]

Imran vs Akram in a nutshell

Probably Imran cos someone would shoot him out of the nutshell

 

[Athlai]

Jamieson isn't really an old ball bowler