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Battle of Pre-Speedgun Fastest Bowlers

Goughy

Goughy

Hall of Fame Member
At their peaks, Patterson had an extra gear than Marshall. In terms of raw pace, people that Ive talked to that played them both thought Patterson clearly quicker.
 
The Sean

The Sean

Cricketer Of The Year
Interesting one - Bradman once said (in about 1986 I think) that Marshall was one of the three fastest bowlers he'd ever seen, alongside Larwood and Tyson. This surprised me because as quick as Macko was in his prime I'd always thought that the likes of Thommo (who Bradman would have seen close at hand) and Holding were just that fraction faster at their peak.

Big Patrick was frighteningly quick for a couple of years in the mid-late 80s. Marshall may have been faster and better for a lot longer, but for one over at their very fastest, I'd have Patterson ahead.
 
zaremba

zaremba

Cricketer Of The Year
Marshall when he chose to bowl flat-out. Mike Gatting referred to the first spell he bowled as having been at "warp speed" which I thought was a nice description.

I never saw that much of Patterson. I do remember him bowling on a horrible, horrible pitch at Sabina Park in 1985/6 which IIRC was likened to "corrugated iron". He got 7 wickets in the match and made his reputation.

Maybe heart ruling head on this one, but I'm sure I'm not alone.


Can't help thinking that this Usain Bolt fella would've made a decent quick bowler btw
 
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PhoenixFire

PhoenixFire

International Coach
I remember reading Ian Botham's Autobio, that Patterson was a yard or two faster than Marshall, as claimed by the WI selectors at the time.
 
fredfertang

fredfertang

Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
I remember Patrick Patterson (Balfour to his friends) bowling for Lancashire ......................

so Maco for me by a country mile
 
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