best bowlers in the 90s

[vcs]

You know I kinda miss the late 90s.

The WI had Ambrose and Walsh
Australia had McGrath and Warne
South Africa had Donald and Pollock
Pakistan had Wasim and Waqar
Sri Lanka and Murali and Vaas (which in the 90s were admittedly not as formidable as the other pairings)
and even Zimbabwe had Streak

Such an even spread of excellent bowling stocks. And what do we have now:

South Africa have Steyn and Morkel
England have Anderson and Tremlett

That's about the extent of notable test match attacks these days. It's quite sad really (though Steyn really is a top class bowler).

Bowling stocks have definitely dipped especially with the retirement of the spin trifecta as well, I have always maintained that it has more to do with the recent runfests than flat subcontinent wickets.

 

[ankitj]

There is not too much difference between the percentage of top order wickets between Waqar and Donald.

HowSTAT! Wickets by Batting Order Graph

HowSTAT! Wickets by Batting Order Graph

I didn't want to do this, and give vcs another chance to have a go.

 

[smash84]

I didn't want to do this, and give vcs another chance to have a go.

 

[smash84]

btw that was a great analysis.......

 

[halba]

spin bowlers:

1. Warne(really great in nearly all conditions except for subcontinent pitches which were more suited to off spin or googlies, not leg spin)


**** (daylight)


2. Murali (note: a lot of pad with bangladesh and zim wickets, poor down under)
3. Kumble(poor down under, great in india)
4. Harbhajan Singh(in indian conditions only - unplayable - poor away from home)
5. Stuart Macgill(especially down under e.g. SCG - poor outside australia)

pace bowlers in terms of sheer skill and opposition they faced


1. Ambrose (by far the best ive seen from 90s onwards - mostly unplayable- probably one of the top 3 best bowlers ever in this sport)
2. Mcgrath
3 Akram
4. Waqar
5 Donald
6. Walsh
7. Pollock (poor down under)

 

[Migara]

If youre picking a one day side, he's in. As long as he isnt captain. But in a test side, there are a few who were just that tiny bit better.

He would be great to have in a squad though. Bring him in for reliability in the 3rd Test of the series of 90s v 80s, when Ambrose is tiring and has lost his radar....

Early Pollcok was as good as Ambrose if not better