• Welcome to the Cricket Web forums, one of the biggest forums in the world dedicated to cricket.

    You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join the Cricket Web community today!

    If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.

Richard Hadlee vs Curtly Ambrose

Who was the greater bowler?

  • Richard Hadlee

    Votes: 36 61.0%

  • Curtly Ambrose

    Votes: 23 39.0%
  • Total voters
    59
Migara

Migara

International Coach
kyear2 said:
This entire argument was just about Murali wasn't it.
Click to expand...
It is unfortunate if you thought so. I rate Hadlee extremely high, as high as McGrath. I have made references to Kapil Dev. All three bowlers were the strike bowler as well as the work horse for the team. I am just appreciating how difficult is their work compared to others.
 
T

Tom Flint

International Regular
OverratedSanity said:
I do it when its much longer than the other players because it gives a fairer indication of their levels when at similar ages. For Ambrose's entire career span, Akram's stats are as good if not marginally better WPM/SR wise.

Its not Akram's fault he was good enough to get selected at 19 when Ambrose was at home playing with his dick.
Click to expand...
*playing with his basketball
 
shortpitched713

shortpitched713

International Captain
This one is pretty close. If I run Steyn vs Hadlee, and Steyn wins, then WTF will that mean???

Are there a lot of NZ cricket fans on CW? Certainly more represented than the general cricket fandom, but enough to skew this poll, IDK...
 
N

number11

State Regular
Both superb but Hadlee had no competition for his wickets - he has a lone warrior. Amby maintained his record despite nearly unparalleled competition. Ambrose was also quicker and meaner. I'll go for Ambrose.
 
kyear2

kyear2

International Coach
shortpitched713 said:
This one is pretty close. If I run Steyn vs Hadlee, and Steyn wins, then WTF will that mean???

Are there a lot of NZ cricket fans on CW? Certainly more represented than the general cricket fandom, but enough to skew this poll, IDK...
Click to expand...
Hadlee would comfortably win.

There seems to be a clear tiered system where it's

Marshall, McGrath, Hadlee
Warne, Murali
Steyn, Ambrose

It's strange, not the order particularly, as Maco, Pigeon, Paddles, Steyn, Amby was somewhat seen at the top 5 (for many), it's where the line was drawn between them and the spinners
 
shortpitched713

shortpitched713

International Captain
kyear2 said:
Hadlee would comfortably win.

There seems to be a clear tiered system where it's

Marshall, McGrath, Hadlee
Warne, Murali
Steyn, Ambrose

It's strange, not the order particularly, as Maco, Pigeon, Paddles, Steyn, Amby was somewhat seen at the top 5 (for many), it's where the line was drawn between them and the spinners
Click to expand...
Ignoring McGrath for a moment. I don't see the argument for Hadlee and Marshall over Ambrose and Steyn. Like, I literally can't pick them as their performance is maybe milimetres between one another, and Ambrose and Steyn played a few more Tests, but even if you don't put any importance to that where are the older lads actually separating themselves?

Edit:

I mean, CW already resembles a retirement home, in some of our consensus takes ( there be no agreed upon truly great openers since Gavaskar, being the most egregious ). But if our reasoning in choosing between some players seems to always default to "I was younger back then and watched more cricket", then it doesn't say much about our consensus, does it?
 
Last edited:
Prince EWS

Prince EWS

Global Moderator
Really tough one. They're basically equal third in my mind. Voted for Hadlee but could have voted differently on a different day.
 
S

subshakerz

Hall of Fame Member
kyear2 said:
Hadlee would comfortably win.

There seems to be a clear tiered system where it's

Marshall, McGrath, Hadlee
Warne, Murali
Steyn, Ambrose

It's strange, not the order particularly, as Maco, Pigeon, Paddles, Steyn, Amby was somewhat seen at the top 5 (for many), it's where the line was drawn between them and the spinners
Click to expand...
It's strange because the superiority of Hadlee, McGrath and Marshall over Imran, Ambrose and Steyn is based on rather marginal career stats. There is nothing to suggest that they are a league ahead as bowlers. Effectively to me the first three are first among near equals.

Whereas placing Warne/Murali in the middle makes little sense. They should only come ahead of Lillee/Trueman/Akram would have more serious issues with their record across countries.
 
kyear2

kyear2

International Coach
subshakerz said:
It's strange because the superiority of Hadlee, McGrath and Marshall over Imran, Ambrose and Steyn is based on rather marginal career stats. There is nothing to suggest that they are a league ahead as bowlers. Effectively to me the first three are first among near equals.

Whereas placing Warne/Murali in the middle makes little sense. They should only come ahead of Lillee/Trueman/Akram would have more serious issues with their record across countries.
Click to expand...
1. I'm not sure if it's only based on stats.

To keep it between apples and apples. I watched all of Curtley's career, I experienced most of the victories he pulled out of his ass getting up over the line. Even when he wasn't penetrative, he was tight. He just wasn't as good as Marshall, I don't know how to quantify it, but MM had more tools was faster and as an opener was almost indomitable.

The top 3 has little to no discernable holes or questions, don't know if that plays into it.
 
kyear2

kyear2

International Coach
subshakerz said:
It's strange because the superiority of Hadlee, McGrath and Marshall over Imran, Ambrose and Steyn is based on rather marginal career stats. There is nothing to suggest that they are a league ahead as bowlers. Effectively to me the first three are first among near equals.

Whereas placing Warne/Murali in the middle makes little sense. They should only come ahead of Lillee/Trueman/Akram would have more serious issues with their record across countries.
Click to expand...
To respond to the second half, but the singular "we" , can't decide for the collective "us" how to grade and separate them and tbf the results have been quite conclusive.
 
M

Majestic

U19 Captain
Pretty close one. Hadlee probably wins this due to added batting. Purely on bowling, I don't think he was as nasty as Ambrose. On a flat belter with a gun on your head, you would probably be willing to face Hadlee more than Ambrose.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Top