Probably depends on conditions. Gillespie better on roads but Philander one of the best ever on seaming pitches.Gillespie should have won this
Of course we would rate him higher. But he didn't do that, so we don't rate him higher.Hypothetical:
Philander recovers for the 3rd India test in 2015. He takes 7/70 (and I actually think I would have expected him to do this well, if not better). He is a GOAT candidate in terms of abusing decks that suited him, and he never got an opportunity to bowl on a deck that suited him as well as that one.
He ends up with a great average in Asia. He is still a bowler that just abuses friendly conditions and is otherwise mediocre, but we tend to erroneously rate bowlers on countries/continents, not decks.
Do you think you would rate him higher?
Gillespie was actually better than a support bowler in SC.I went for Gillespie. Less condition dependent, more pace and bounce.
He has solid away series in England, SA, WI in the 90s and India of course while being strong at home on less helpful pitches than Vern in 2000s.
Vern's magnificent record at home is countered by his bad record in SC. Gillespie at least was support bowler level quality in SC, Vern wasn't even that.
Incredible series in IndiaGillespie was actually better than a support bowler in SC.
Never underestimate the ability of CW's posters being massively swayed by raw averages in their judgements.Gillespie should have won this
Fair enough. Anyway, much better than Vern.Gillespie was actually better than a support bowler in SC.
If I'm understanding this hypothetical correctly , philander still only does well on the bowler friendly track right? So just because it happens to be in Asia why should your opinion about him change?Of course we would rate him higher. But he didn't do that, so we don't rate him higher.
Because taking a 7fer in India against the no.1 team in their home, even on a supportive track, is a rare feat for any pace bowler. We are talking about likely the best spell in Vern's career.If I'm understanding this hypothetical correctly , philander still only does well on the bowler friendly track right? So just because it happens to be in Asia why should your opinion about him change?
Because taking a 7fer in India against the no.1 team in their home, even on a supportive track, is a rare feat for any pace bowler. We are talking about likely the best spell in Vern's career.