Greatest Fast bowler of this century after McGrath/ Steyn ?

[ZK$]

After Cummins, it’s between Pollock and Anderson. Bumrah hasn’t played enough to surpass those two.

 

[GoodAreasShane]

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Cummins

Big Vern should be amongst the options

 

[Prince EWS]

Jimmy, but Cummins will very very likely overtake him eventually. I also expect Cummins to overtake Steyn.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

After Cummins, it’s between Pollock and Anderson. Bumrah hasn’t played enough to surpass those two.

In the 21st century
Pollock 260 wickets in 70 tests @ 24.76
Rabada 268 wickets in 58 tests @ 22.85

 

[Fuller Pilch]

I also expect Cummins to overtake Steyn.

I don't. Easier bowling era and not as far ahead of his peers.

 

[ZK$]

In the 21st century
Pollock 260 wickets in 70 tests @ 24.76
Rabada 268 wickets in 58 tests @ 22.85

I guess it’s Anderson then.

 

[Prince EWS]

I don't. Easier bowling era and not as far ahead of his peers.

Only the last couple of years, although it's fair enough to expect that to continue.

Big difference for me is how much harder I think it has been to bowl in Australia than South Africa. If I'm going to cling onto my "Graeme Smith Best Smith" opinion based on that I can't exactly not rate Cummins ahead of Steyn (assuming careers of similar lengths eventually).

 

[ZK$]

Steyn is the greater bowler, but Cummins is the better bowler.

 

[TheJediBrah]

It’s Cummins obv.

4th is very tricky. Pollock, Anderson and TJB/Flem will bat for Harris too.

Hilfenhause

 

[Flem274*]

Only the last couple of years, although it's fair enough to expect that to continue.

Big difference for me is how much harder I think it has been to bowl in Australia than South Africa. If I'm going to cling onto my "Graeme Smith Best Smith" opinion based on that I can't exactly not rate Cummins ahead of Steyn (assuming careers of similar lengths eventually).

4 years. The batting average cliff face is about 2018, though there was a nice quality rise and variety of conditions from 2011 onwards which is anecdotal.

 

[Coronis]

Steyn is the greater bowler, but Cummins is the better bowler.

I would say Steyn definitely felt better and more destructive at his best. Cummins seems a bit more like McGrath, almost inevitable, but will end up greater

 

[GoodAreasShane]

South Africa certainly had some pretty lively decks in the early-mid 10's, not every one obviously, but a decent proportion

 

[Spark]

If there is one knock on Cummins, and it barely counts as a knock, it's that it doesn't feel like he singlehandedly annihilates teams in the way Steyn at his best used to. But a lot of it is purely down to the quality of the attack he's in; rare that he's the lone hand. Mind you it's not as if Steyn had members of the 90s Wheel of Mediocrity trundling in at the other end.

 

[Shri]

bumrah is the rishabh pant of fast bowling when he is fit

does ridiculous **** like that ball to robinson or his spells in west indies

cummins is as good as him but more boring

 

[Line and Length]

@Line and Length
Who do you consider the 3rd best ?

Allan Donald .... even though his best was in the '90s

 

[Adders]

If there is one knock on Cummins, and it barely counts as a knock, it's that it doesn't feel like he singlehandedly annihilates teams in the way Steyn at his best used to. But a lot of it is purely down to the quality of the attack he's in; rare that he's the lone hand. Mind you it's not as if Steyn had members of the 90s Wheel of Mediocrity trundling in at the other end.

I think that speaks to the quality of the bowler if thats the best knock we can lay on him (as you yourself alluded to).......not sure what Cummins wicket per innings rate is, but if he's constantly getting you 3 or 4 for not much every time, then that becomes so much more beneficial than say pulling a Boland once every 9 or 10 tests.

Jimmy A isn't running through sides and returning 8/15........ but pretty sure everyone can agree you're picking him over Broad everyday of the week?

Outside of Steyn im thinking of recent bowlers that do have that capacity of taking 5 or more in a spell.......Mitch Johnson and Broad??? (Has Bumrah?) Fair to say we can find far better bowlers in the era even if they don't produce magic like that.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Boland

Good one, might be him

 

[Adders]

Good one, might be him

Talk to me after he's been around more than 5 mins.

 

[honestbharani]

Only the last couple of years, although it's fair enough to expect that to continue.

2018 was 2 years ago? And I think people forget Cummins only came back in that 2017 BGT. It has only been 6 years, so yes, I am not putting him ahead of Jimmy, much less Steyn as of now. He can potentially have a better career than them, sure, but not yet.