3rd Test Border Gavaskar Trophy December 14-18 1050hrs @ The Gabba

[Lunchtime]

I find it really hard to rank them Lunchtime did just make the very valid point that he’s not bowling to a lot in terms of high quality batsmen right now but on the other hand you could argue that these guys are not being troubled all that much by the other bowlers so maybe he’s just making the batsmen look bad. His record in all conditions is just ridiculous. Steyn always had that reputation because he was a matchwinner even in in Asia - his 7 for in Nagpur was one of the great spells by a visiting quick in Asia. Marshall did the same a few times. McGrath could take wickets anywhere and Akram obviously bowled in benign conditions all the time. I never got to see Hadlee really but his record in an average team speaks for itself.

If he gets to 300 wickets with the same average and strike rate he has now there’s no argument about it, he’s in best XI ever territory

I actually think that when it comes to all time great bowlers (pace or spin), there's no point trying to rank them. It's too difficult. It's like splitting hairs. They are all time great bowlers because they were better than the very best/elite and that's how they should be remembered as. Where people rank them....its opinion i think.

But yeah for me Wasim Akram is the best fast bowler (best left arm fast bowler too) that I've seen. In fact Ambrose is level with him. Marshall was a bit before my time but again all time great.

Like I said, far too difficult to rank them all time greats.

 

[Lia]

McSteamingPileOfShit has to be dropped.
We can't afford to have a useless turd who is a walking wicket, even a traffic cone would put up more resistance.

He is batting out of position against the best fast bowler in the world, as much as I hate admitting that, it is true.

 

[Cleavy]

so maybe squad announcement tomorrow...?

 

[Around the Wicket]

He is batting out of position against the best fast bowler in the world, as much as I hate admitting that, it is true.

He bats at 3 for his state, its not that much different, he just isn't good enough.

 

[Cleavy]

That's why Lyon is one dimensional. Sends the same stuff down all the time. In a stronger era of Australian cricket, he wouldn't be playing Test cricket.

what happened to his "Jeff" ball? or was it just a figment of our collective imagination?

 

[010203]

what happened to his "Jeff" ball? or was it just a figment of our collective imagination?

I think that's what he called hid back-spinner or something.

 

[PhatBoy]

what happened to his "Jeff" ball? or was it just a figment of our collective imagination?

I think it was just a glorified arm ball

 

[sosos]

When ranking the best fast bowlers of all time, you really have to break it down into the different areas where they excel to have any chance.

E.g. McGrath's greatest attribute was an immaculate line and length. Lillie was intimidating early, but adapted to his injuries to become one of the craftiest bowlers.

Akram had incredible swing, Hadlee compared well with Mcgrath for line, but his super power was his excellent seam movement, just enough to find the edges.

Marshall and Steyn were frighteningly quick and accurate. Bumrah has a bit of everything.

Etc.

 

[sosos]

Harbhajan Singh was the best offie I saw.

 

[10Dulkar]

No that’s true he’s come along at a good time that’s undeniable, batsmen probably aren’t as equipped at the moment to play a bowler with a good array of weapons.

It’s probably what drew me to Steyn in the first place aside from his pace was that he arrived at a time when every man and his dog was averaging 50. Though even he fattened himself initially in an absolutely inept NZ batting order

What drew me was THAT ball to Vaughan.- wow!

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Controversial maybe but Saqlain is still the best finger spinner I've seen.

 

[Lia]

He bats at 3 for his state, its not that much different, he just isn't good enough.

With Uzzys seemingly terminal decline, we don't have anybody good enough.

 

[PhatBoy]

What drew me was THAT ball to Vaughan.- wow!

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Controversial maybe but Saqlain is still the best finger spinner I've seen.

That delivery was pr0n

 

[Nuggetz]

We're witnessing some of the greatest fast bowlers of this generation with the Aus trio & Bumrah in this series. Lucky as fans.

 

[Jim Prideaux]

The Age reporting McSweeney might be dropped, no news on who for.

 

[RookiePick]

I think it was just a glorified arm ball

Should have called it the "Zampa". The bloke has made a good career out of those.

 

[RookiePick]

The Age reporting McSweeney might be dropped, no news on who for.

Absolute trash from our selectors if they drop McSweeney. Have to back the guy in for the series at least.

 

[PhatBoy]

We're witnessing some of the greatest fast bowlers of this generation with the Aus trio & Bumrah in this series. Lucky as fans.

There’s a lot of very decent ones around at the moment:

The Aussie trio, England has just had two all time greats retire, Southee has had Boult and Southee retire and Henry is bowling really well, the Windies have Seales and Joseph bowling really well and Roach is still plodding along.

SA’s production line never seems to stop.

The ‘elevated’ trio is Cummins, Rabada and Bumrah. They’re a level above, clearly, and I think Bumrah is probably a tier above again

 

[RookiePick]

There’s a lot of very decent ones around at the moment:

The Aussie trio, England has just had two all time greats retire, Southee has had Boult and Southee retire and Henry is bowling really well, the Windies have Seales and Joseph bowling really well and Roach is still plodding along.

SA’s production line never seems to stop.

The ‘elevated’ trio is Cummins, Rabada and Bumrah. They’re a level above, clearly, and I think Bumrah is probably a tier above again

Bumrah might have a bad spell or a bad day. Cummins consistently picks bad strategies.

Kasigo just seems more hot and cold than the other two. Unplayable on his day though for sure.

 

[Nuggetz]

The Age reporting McSweeney might be dropped, no news on who for.

That would be harsh, I hope it doesn't happen.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

No, we need to hold our catches and have a fit pace attack, Cummins has been fine.

Holding catches will help but Cummins tactics are poor.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

With Uzzys seemingly terminal decline, we don't have anybody good enough.

Could we try and aspire to do better please.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Absolute trash from our selectors if they drop McSweeney. Have to back the guy in for the series at least.

He's not good enough so it's no surprise.

 

[FlowersByIrene]

The Age reporting McSweeney might be dropped, no news on who for.

Thank the lord.

 

[Iceman!]

Absolute trash from our selectors if they drop McSweeney. Have to back the guy in for the series at least.

Why do you?

The guy has failed to get to 10 in 5 out of 6 innings. While it certainly is tough against Bumrah that job is not going to get any easier this series so if he is not up to the task get someone else in who at least might be able to. I also think the idea that replacing him with someone who will look to put the pressure back on Bumrah is a good one.

 

[PhatBoy]

Bumrah might have a bad spell or a bad day. Cummins consistently picks bad strategies.

Kasigo just seems more hot and cold than the other two. Unplayable on his day though for sure.

I think over the course of his career that’s definitely been KG’s downfall but I’m noticing it’s happening less and less nowadays.

Even in the Sri Lanka series that just took place he actually had the worst figures of all the SA bowlers but was the hardest to play by all the silly metrics they use - because he was continually putting the ball in the right spot and making them play and miss and get edges etc etc.
he’s really picked up that aspect of his game and that whole ‘when things are going bad, they go REALLY BAD’ part and he had to because for a long time he had that big element of dickhead whenever his howling was not quite working