kyear2
International Coach
I don't think anyone looks at Steyn's numbers and says horrible.The respective aggregate averages in games Marshall and Ambrose played in Australia, for reference, was 32 and 31.
Aggregate/overall records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPNcricinfo.com
stats.espncricinfo.com
Not that it wasnt apparent watching those test matches, but the numbers prove beyond a doubt Australian pitches on those SA tours in 08 and 2012 were ridiculously batter friendly to an extent not seen in the 80s or 90s.
But two things.
Everyone knows the era was flat, hence the push McGrath gets.
1. But it's can't be claimed he flourished in the flat pitches era where mainly he just flourished in SA, where it wasn't flat.
2. While batsmen's success is impacted by bowlers, bowlers successes are dictated by conditions and certain ones, one can't overcome, but a top 3 guy, which he isn't quite in my opinion, transcends the performances of others more often than not.
And this fallacy that 25 - 28 is an arbitrary bench mark is a little silly, because if it were the overall average, regardless of era, the players wouldn't be included in this discussion to behind with.
So no, it's not the be all and end all, but it can't be totally dismissed either.
