Can Dale Steyn become the fastest bowler to 300 Test wickets?

[smash84]

 

[Agent Nationaux]

Steyn hasn't played in a while and so currently Anderson is the best. But I really want Steyn to come back and show why he is so awesome and overall better than Anderson.

 

[akilana]

awesome logic there.

 

[Agent Nationaux]

I forgot to mention that Steyn did **** against Pakistan. Now Anderson really is the best bowler at the moment.

 

[smash84]

Steyn hasn't played in a while and so currently Anderson is the best. But I really want Steyn to come back and show why he is so awesome and overall better than Anderson.

awesome logic there.

I just love the random droppings that Akilana makes on the forum from time to time

 

[Jacknife]

I just love the random droppings that Akilana makes on the forum from time to time

Droppings is one word for them.

 

[weldone]

awesome logic there.

agree with the sentiment

 

[Darth018]

I forgot to mention that Steyn did **** against Pakistan.

You would expect a Pakistani fan above all to be more considerate

 

[subshakerz]

How good is Steyn? Here a few eye-popping test stats that perhaps give a picture:

-Of bowlers who have taken at least 125 wickets in victories, Steyn is no.3 of all time in averages, behind only Hadlee and Imran
Bowling records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Cricinfo

-Of all bowlers who have taken at least 200 wickets, his strikerate is the best
Bowling records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Cricinfo

-Of pace bowlers who have taken at least 200 wickets, his wickets per match is the best (yeah, better than Lillee and Hadlee even)

-He has only played 46 tests, yet already has a fifer against every test-playing country

-If he gets a fifer against England next year (likely), he will have a fifer in every test country excluding Bangladesh

-13 out of his 16 fifers have come in victories.

-He took a 10-fer in India last year. The last foreign pace bowler to do so was Richard Hadlee way back in 1988.

So, I would be a bit cautious before putting Anderson who is in a purple patch at the moment with someone like Steyn.

 

[smash84]

very impressive list indeed.

 

[Sanz]

-He took a 10-fer in Australia in 2008. The last foreign pace bowler to do so was Wasim Akram way back in 1990..

Are you Serious ?

Andy Caddick, Ambrose, Devilliers all seem to have achieved that since 1990.

 

[Top_Cat]

Not to mention Anil Kumble.

 

[subshakerz]

Are you Serious ?

Andy Caddick, Ambrose, Devilliers all seem to have achieved that since 1990.

Sorry, my mistake, I remembered Caddick's once I posted.

 

[Cabinet96]

That's a serious list of achievements and to think he seems to be getting better. His performances against India last year were amazing because his economy was down. When before he would bowl regular 4 bowls to release the pressure now he seems to be more consistent.

 

[AlwaysProteas]

How good is Steyn? Here a few eye-popping test stats that perhaps give a picture:

-Of bowlers who have taken at least 125 wickets in victories, Steyn is no.3 of all time in averages, behind only Hadlee and Imran
Bowling records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Cricinfo

-Of all bowlers who have taken at least 200 wickets, his strikerate is the best
Bowling records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Cricinfo

-Of pace bowlers who have taken at least 200 wickets, his wickets per match is the best (yeah, better than Lillee and Hadlee even)

-He has only played 46 tests, yet already has a fifer against every test-playing country

-If he gets a fifer against England next year (likely), he will have a fifer in every test country excluding Bangladesh

-13 out of his 16 fifers have come in victories.

-He took a 10-fer in India last year. The last foreign pace bowler to do so was Richard Hadlee way back in 1988.

So, I would be a bit cautious before putting Anderson who is in a purple patch at the moment with someone like Steyn.

He can also wrestle crocodiles.

 

[subshakerz]

Steyn is reaching his peak age as a bowler, around 30 when you have pace and mastery over all your skills. You're right, scary to think that he can become even better...

 

[Outswinger@Pace]

Steyn is reaching his peak age as a bowler, around 30 when you have pace and mastery over all your skills. You're right, scary to think that he can become even better...

I am not sure there is one peaking age for all pace bowlers, friend. Imran Khan and Hadlee, for instance peaked quite late while someone like Marshall and McDermott enjoyed more success in their 20s.

Hope Steyn becomes even better, but realistically it's very difficult to predict.

 

[Spark]

As a couple of people have said, if he develops a genuine inswinger/inducker he's going to be death incarnate.

 

[Manee]

As a couple of people have said, if he develops a genuine inswinger/inducker he's going to be death incarnate.

Disagree. There is such a thing as a law of diminishing returns when it comes to bowling weapons. Steyn is doing as well as anyone could be expected to perform, imo, given his speed. (Of course, a hypothetical 180kph bowler would clean up.)

 

[Spark]

Having a ball that nips in to complement a vicious outswinger is such a huge bonus though, as Anderson/Broad found out to their delight and Tendulkar to his displeasure a few months back.