Cricket Web - View Single Post - Is Dale Steyn the worst ever best fast bowler in the world?

3703 · 11-02-2013, 07:24 PM

Stats don't work across generations, they're probably the worst measure you can use. They are numbers that reflect - different players, different pitches, different bats, players at different stages of their careers, different bowling plans, different captaincy, test landscapes at different stages of evolution (batting style, run rate, innovation with deliveries). Whole different basic ways of going about the game of cricket.

Lillee's stats for instance look a superficially good point of comparison because they're in the same ballpark as other greats from different eras, but the reality is those numbers have had a world of different dynamics, behaviours and people combined to have created them.

This is where one becomes reliant on their eye and a sense of what each bowler was up against, and what he was able to do. What do we see?

Steyn is an amazing player. To my eye, a good few are ahead of him. I can't wait to see how his game develops into his 30s, with all the challenges that come with that.

11-02-2013, 07:24 PM	#667 (permalink)
3703 Cricket Spectator Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: under Posts: 10	Stats don't work across generations, they're probably the worst measure you can use. They are numbers that reflect - different players, different pitches, different bats, players at different stages of their careers, different bowling plans, different captaincy, test landscapes at different stages of evolution (batting style, run rate, innovation with deliveries). Whole different basic ways of going about the game of cricket. Lillee's stats for instance look a superficially good point of comparison because they're in the same ballpark as other greats from different eras, but the reality is those numbers have had a world of different dynamics, behaviours and people combined to have created them. This is where one becomes reliant on their eye and a sense of what each bowler was up against, and what he was able to do. What do we see? Steyn is an amazing player. To my eye, a good few are ahead of him. I can't wait to see how his game develops into his 30s, with all the challenges that come with that. Last edited by 3703; 11-02-2013 at 07:25 PM.