Who is the best Test fast bowler in the world?
on December 11th, 2008 at 10:21 amTony Greig has declared Zaheer Khan as the stand out fast bowler in the world.
I thought that a fair comparison should be done between the top fast bowlers before a judgment is given.
First of all I believe that the title goes to different bowlers in different formats of the game as their is no bowler who dominates in every format of the game.
After care fully going through the statistics of last two years I prepared a list of Top five fast bowlers for each format of the game. If you disagree you are more than welcome to post your own.
Top five fast bowlers in Test Matches
1- Dale Steyn
2- Zaheer Khan
3- Mikhaya Ntini
4- Mitchell Johnson
5- Brett Lee
I really wanted to include Ishaant Sharma in the list but he has taken only 38 wickets in 14 matches and he can’t bowl away swingers consistently. In my opinion Dale Steyn stands head and shoulders above the rest of the lot with 104 wickets in just 19 matches with 7 five wicket hauls and two 10 wicket hauls in it, he is super fast, he can move the ball both ways, he has taken wickets against all the teams and has been successful in all conditions. Zaheer Khan although has taken less wickets than Brett lee, Mikhaya Ntini, and Ryan Side Bottom but he deserves to get the 2nd position as he took wickets in all parts of the world, he can move the ball both ways has a very effective yorker, has mastered reverse swing and is extremely accurate. Ryan Side Bottom only flourished against the Kiwis that is why he was not included in the top 5, Brett lee although he has taken 93 wickets in just 18 matches but he has only been successful in Australia and Newzealand he has a below average record outside home. Ntini had a good last year he has been very aggressive he has taken 95 wickets in 24 matches but he can only bowl one line he thrives on bowling short and in the rib cage with an angle he can’t reverse the ball effectively he is #3 on the list.
Mitchel Johnson although took less wickets than Brett lee but he has taken more wickets than Lee outside home against good teams in the last two years, he is super fast can move the ball both ways but can’t do reverse swing he is #4 on the list.
Brett Lee is # 5 on the list although his strike rate is still quite good and he has taken 93 wickets in 18 matches but he has failed in the subcontinent, he has lost some speed, he still can’t reverse the ball so he got the fifth and the last position.
Note: Only last two years record was taken into consideration in order to judge the current form, also players who played less than 10 matches were excluded.

Recent Comments