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Wasim Akram vs Shaun Pollock

Better test cricketer

  • Total voters
    20
R

Randomfan

U19 Debutant
Johan said:
Wasim is easily a better bowler than Pollock
Click to expand...
Differ on the bold part. Wasim was just not that great in tests involving top 5 teams during his playing days to lay the claim 'easily' for me. I am taking Aus, WI, SA, Pak and Ind. Now, some posters raise legacy standing of Eng and it's being a big team during Wasim's time, Wasim avg against Eng was 30-31. So nothing great there as well.

Easily better would be McGrath, Ambrose and Donald who played and did well against better teams. Before some one brings it up, it was not due to Wasim playing on flatter tracks in Pakistan. Wasim avg is 27 away against top 4 oppositions. Again, legacy status of Eng and including Eng does not help him. His avg in Eng was 28-29.

Pollock declined big time in the last few years, but he was as good as anyone from 96-03 period with 280 test wickets at avg of 20.

I can see the point of better. I will pick Wasim as well between these two as bowlers. Easily better, not sure about it. I used to think easily better as well, but after looking at Wasim's actual output against better teams closely, I started bracketting both together below the likes of McGrath, Ambrose and Donald. Happy to change my mind because out of all pacers in 90s, I enjoyed watching Wasim most.
 
Johan

Johan

International Captain
Randomfan said:
Differ on the bold part. Wasim was just not that great in tests involving top 5 teams during his playing days to lay the claim 'easily' for me. I am taking Aus, WI, SA, Pak and Ind. Now, some posters raise legacy standing of Eng and it's being a big team during Wasim's time, Wasim avg against Eng was 30-31. So nothing great there as well.

Easily better would be McGrath, Ambrose and Donald who played and did well against better teams. Before some one brings it up, it was not due to Wasim playing on flatter tracks in Pakistan. Wasim avg is 27 away against top 4 oppositions. Again, legacy status of Eng and including Eng does not help him. His avg in Eng was 28-29.

Pollock declined big time in the last few years, but he was as good as anyone from 96-03 period with 280 test wickets at avg of 20.

I can see the point of better. I will pick Wasim as well between these two as bowlers. Easily better, not sure about it. I used to think easily better as well, but after looking at Wasim's actual output against better teams closely, I started bracketting both together below the likes of McGrath, Ambrose and Donald. Happy to change my mind because out of all pacers in 90s, I enjoyed watching Wasim most.
Click to expand...
what are their averages against Australia, the big team?
 
R

Randomfan

U19 Debutant
Johan said:
what are their averages against Australia, the big team?
Click to expand...
Pollock against Aus 36
Wasim against Aus 25

Pollock had a massive decline after 2003, before 2003 his avg against Aus was 27.

Pollock was not that great against all good teams during his entire career, but before his decline( came after 318 test wickets), here is his full break up against all teams,

Pollock till 2003: Highest avg was against Aus 27 and second highest was 23. Against all others 20 or below.

pollock.jpg
 
kyear2

kyear2

International Coach
Randomfan said:
Differ on the bold part. Wasim was just not that great in tests involving top 5 teams during his playing days to lay the claim 'easily' for me. I am taking Aus, WI, SA, Pak and Ind. Now, some posters raise legacy standing of Eng and it's being a big team during Wasim's time, Wasim avg against Eng was 30-31. So nothing great there as well.

Easily better would be McGrath, Ambrose and Donald who played and did well against better teams. Before some one brings it up, it was not due to Wasim playing on flatter tracks in Pakistan. Wasim avg is 27 away against top 4 oppositions. Again, legacy status of Eng and including Eng does not help him. His avg in Eng was 28-29.

Pollock declined big time in the last few years, but he was as good as anyone from 96-03 period with 280 test wickets at avg of 20.

I can see the point of better. I will pick Wasim as well between these two as bowlers. Easily better, not sure about it. I used to think easily better as well, but after looking at Wasim's actual output against better teams closely, I started bracketting both together below the likes of McGrath, Ambrose and Donald. Happy to change my mind because out of all pacers in 90s, I enjoyed watching Wasim most.
Click to expand...
Really good post.
 
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