Most Fearsome Fast Bowler

[JimmyGS]

I was refering to movement off the seam. And out of interest, what is your idea of a decent paced bowler?

High 130s is getting up there.

I didn't even realise you had brown lipstick, Athlai...

 

[Athlai]

I didn't even realise you had brown lipstick, Athlai...

The guy knows Jeeves.

 

[ozone]

Your asking the winner of the U19 NZ fast bowler comp and likely future Black Cap and near-certain for a FC spot in years to come..

He would know his stuff then.

The question still stands though, what would warrant a 'decent paced bowler'. And even so, if the ball is pitched short, it loses more pace off the pitch giving the batsmen more time to react.

 

[ozone]

High 130s is getting up there.

Which is about 80mph yea?

Although I don't face this kind of speed on a regular basis, I still argue that you would have more time to see movement, albeit only fractions of seconds.

 

[JimmyGS]

Which is about 80mph yea?

Although I don't face this kind of speed on a regular basis, I still argue that you would have more time to see movement, albeit only fractions of seconds.

85ish+

If you had time to adjust to seam movement, batsman would have seen McGrath's delivery heading at off stump, and shape to play it. Then upon seeing it seam away they would either pull their bat inside the line or play the wider line.

Did they? No. They play the line, the ball nips away and takes the outside edge, see ya later.

 

[ozone]

If you had time to adjust to seam movement, batsman would have seen McGrath's delivery heading at off stump, and shape to play it. Then upon seeing it seam away they would either pull their bat inside the line or play the wider line.

Did they? No. They play the line, the ball nips away and takes the outside edge, see ya later.

To be fair, thats what happens if it all works perfectly, and yes, sometimes it does and will get a batsmen out (incidently, replace the word seam with swing in your description and it is equally true, this isn't a criticism but just the fact that the way they both work in the same way). The fact is, this delivery is harder to perfect than the outswing delivery that takes the edge.

It really comes down to interpretation I think, as we could be here arguing our case all day at this rate. You clearly feel that it is more dangerous to be bowling seam at 85mph, while I would rather face a seam bowler than a swing bowler at about 70-75mph.

 

[JimmyGS]

It really comes down to interpretation I think, as we could be here arguing our case all day at this rate. You clearly feel that it is more dangerous to be bowling seam at 85mph, while I would rather face a seam bowler than a swing bowler at about 70-75mph.

Correct. Agree to disagree I think!

Although due to the climate conditions that tend to occur above a seam-friendly wicket, when it seams it usually swings as well, which renders both our points a bit useless anyway!

 

[krkode]

Fearsomeness has as much to do with body language as pace/swing/difficulty of playing, IMO. Of the three listed, I'd imagine Akhtar would be most scary to face.

Over all, among bowlers I've watched, I'd say Donald and Ambrose probably rate as some of the fiercest bowlers of the 90s. Waqar and Wasim in tandem were also ridiculous. Can't imagine being a batsman who just navigated an over by Wasim Akram only to face Waqar Younis the next over.

 

[haroon510]

Shoaib Akhter.. More Agrassive Than Both Bond And Lee

 

[Goughy]

In answer to the question, Shoaib Akhter or Harmison.

In answer to the secondary topic, seam movement is harder to play than swing as it generally goes later and at a more pronounced angle.

 

[susudear]

Depends

For on-field aggression backed by solid performance

For scaring kids into having their dinner

(The one on the right, for the duhs)

 

[Harry Harrison]

Shoaib is better as far as swing is concerned.

 

[Smudge]

Shoaib is better as far as swing is concerned.

 

[Prad100w]

Shoaib probably, because on his day can be lethal. Wouldn't say the same for Lee or Bond.

 

[krkode]

Shoaib probably, because on his day can be lethal. Wouldn't say the same for Lee or Bond.

I'd say Bond was probably the best of the three bowlers mentioned above. Followed by Akhtar and then Lee. The latter two were probably faster at their peaks but there was something else about Bond that made him terrifyingly good. Maybe we have that perception because he was far and away NZ's best bowler whereas Akhtar and Lee were for the most part overshadowed by better fast bowlers in their team.

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

Maybe we have that perception because he was far and away NZ's best bowler whereas Akhtar and Lee were for the most part overshadowed by better fast bowlers in their team.

Maybe not.

Regarding the original question, Akhter (sic) for the reasons that many have pointed out.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Disagree completely. The ball that moves a fraction is more likely to take the edge than the one which swings around corners.

Also, seam isn't as dangerous as swing because you get the chance to see the movement off the pitch with seam. Even when a ball swings early, it still usually happens after the ball has pitched giving the batsman less time to react.

Like when it swings out of the hand?

I'd much rather face swing than seam. There's nothing gets a batman's attention than them going to cut a ball and it jumps and cuts back in front of his eyes. Or if it cuts back a foot and a half and breaks his elbow. Movement off the wicket towards a batsman generally means 'brace yourself'...

Then again, I haven't faced late swing at 130+.

 

[JimmyGS]

Movement off the wicket towards a batsman generally means 'brace yourself'...

Then again, I haven't faced late swing at 130+.

Exactly. Oram's bowling to Sarwan today was a perfect example. It hit the pitch and moved away and there was no answer to it. Just a play and miss.

Then again, I haven't faced late swing at 130+.

It's not nearly as troublesome as cutting off the deck at 130+.

 

[Manee]

Shoaib Akhtar the most fearsome bowler who I have had the privledge to watch.

 

[Evermind]

I choose Manoj Prabhakar.