ODI : Tougher bowler to score runs against - Garner vs Ambrose vs McGrath vs Pollock vs Bumrah

[DrWolverine]

I am not asking who is the greater bowler.

Just who is more difficult to score runs against.

 

[DrWolverine]

I never saw Joel Garner play but read and heard stories on how he was almost impossible to play.

Curtly Ambrose, Shaun Pollock and Jasprit Bumrah were the toughest bowlers to score runs against in their respective eras in one day international cricket.

 

[Migara]

First, you have to adjust ERs to the era. Then you'd find Pollock, Wasim, McGrath and Murali were almost as difficult to score off as Garner.

Secondly, game has evolved. If you transport Garner to today's game, he will travel the distance. Imagine what de Villiers will do to him. Whether he could adapt to the game would be the question.

Thirdly, players like Bumrah would be less effective in an era where winning score is 200. Bumrah's enrire game is based on preventing boundaries, where as Garner it was stopping singles. Batsmen will wait on it in Bumra's case and score singles.

So considering the skills they have shown, itis Bumrah. But all these bowlers are capable of developing the skills needed for today's game.

 

[DrWolverine]

First, you have to adjust ERs to the era.

I am not comparing their economy rates.

Just pointing out these four were the toughest to score against in their respective eras.

 

[capt_Luffy]

FdV was probably as tough to score against as Pollock.

 

[DrWolverine]

FdV was probably as tough to score against as Pollock.

During his career(1992-1997) FDV had the second best economy rate.

 

[DrWolverine]

FdV was probably as tough to score against as Pollock.

Gavin Larsen. He wasn’t even a good bowler but very difficult to score.

In 1990s he had the second best economy rate among bowlers who had taken a minimum of 100 wickets.

 

[Thala_0710]

It's close between Garner and Bumrah for me

 

[Migara]

FdV was probably as tough to score against as Pollock.

So was Craig Matthews

 

[subshakerz]

Garner is one pacer you can say with confidence his MO would have translated well across eras.

How exactly with his height and pitching it up consistently how are you going to knock him around?

 

[DrWolverine]

Curtly Ambrose was a modern day Joel Garner

 

[subshakerz]

Curtly Ambrose was a modern day Joel Garner

Slightly different MO actually.

 

[smash84]

Might be Bumrah

 

[Migara]

Garner is one pacer you can say with confidence his MO would have translated well across eras.

How exactly with his height and pitching it up consistently how are you going to knock him around?

Garner never faced batsmen paddling and reverse paddling fast bowlers. Even the technique of hitting is different these days. Richards, Tendulkar, Aravinda de Silva, Dean Jones, Salim Malik, Azharuddin etc developed this technique of clearing the front leg to hit, very early in their careers, in very early days of ODI cricket (ie. mid to late 80s). Garner was not exposed much to this technique.

On other hand Garner played a game where slow bouncers and wide yorkers were far less effective. With those in the arsenel it would be a nice match up to put Graner against Kohli and de Villiers.

 

[h_hurricane]

Interestingly, Mcgrath is not even an option in the poll though he is part of the OP.