Who is the greatest fast bowler?

[Ernest]

This is a test post, please ignore.

[Junior_Flem]

I think McGrath's stats are better than Lillee's!

[Mongoose]

I would love to see England do well this summer, but I would also love to see G McGrath at his very best. The quality of the guy is awesome, and he's definitely the best bowler I have seen. His accuracy is his biggest asset, but it wouldn't be so dangerous if he didn't have the bounce that goes with it. Add to this the aggressive mentality that puts more pressure on the batsman, and you have a brilliant end product. Of the quick bowlers I've watched, I'd put Ambrose and Pollock slightly behind McGrath. I would have liked to see Lillee in his pomp. Apparently he used to bowl 5-6 overs before the game as a 'warm-up', so that he would be quick and accurate from the very first ball .

[simply austastic]

dennis lillee

[stereotype]

1. McGrath

2. Lillee

3. Marshall


i think that McGrath wins slightly over Lillee......pitches are harder for fast bowlers these days and there isnt a nation that has ever dominated McGrath......he ALWAYS wins his personal battles...and he is getting better with age

[The Phantom Ram]

I would go for a top 5 of (but Bear in mind I never saw cricket before about 85/86)


Marshall
Hadlee
Ambrose
Walsh
McGrath

Alan Igglesden just misses out.

Interesting thing though, would Hadlee be so fondly remembered if he played in a test team with another 2 or 3 quality bowlers in it? Marshall played alongside the likes of Holding, Garner etc and Ambrose & Walsh had Bishop also taking wickets meaning to take 3 or 4 was a fantastic acheivement. Hadlee played in a side where less wickets would be taken at the other end meaning more were available for him to take. Fantastic bowler though.

[Mongoose]

Originally Posted by The Phantom Ram

Interesting thing though, would Hadlee be so fondly remembered if he played in a test team with another 2 or 3 quality bowlers in it? Marshall played alongside the likes of Holding, Garner etc and Ambrose & Walsh had Bishop also taking wickets meaning to take 3 or 4 was a fantastic acheivement. Hadlee played in a side where less wickets would be taken at the other end meaning more were available for him to take. Fantastic bowler though.

Less quality around you also means it's harder to build up pressure on the batsmen.

[The Phantom Ram]

Very good point but taking your turn to bowl amongst Marshall, Holding, Garner and Roberts must seriously reduce your wicket taking potential!

[stereotype]

so are you saying that McGrath because he has bowled alongside Warne, Gillespie, Lee, Bichel, Kasprowicz and MacGill that his quality is highlighted even less?

[Irish Left Armer]

I haven't seen many of these all time greats either seen as I've only been following cricket since the early 90's.

Ambrose and McGrath stand out for me as the two best I've seen. Ambrose was almost unplayable at one stage he was that good. Think he just edges Glenn into second place.

Notable mentions for people like Pollock, Walsh and Akram too.