Pick two opening Bowlers for the 1986-2006 World test XI

[aussie tragic]

ONLY PICK TWO (votes are public and votes of more than 2 players will not be counted)

This is now a 5-day Poll to select the 2 Opening bowlers for the 1986-2006 World Test XI (the 5 runner-ups will be in the Poll for the last bowling position with Murali).

1986-2006 opening bowler nominees are:

Wasim Akram: 99 tests, 394 wkts @ 23.59, SR 54.4, Econ 2.60 (23/4)
Shoaib Akhtar: 42 tests, 165 wkts @ 25.69, SR 45.3, Econ 3.39 (12/0)
Curtly Ambrose: 98 tests, 405 wkts @ 20.99, SR 54.5, Econ 2.30 (22/3)
Ian Bishop: 43 tests, 161 wkts @ 24.27, SR 52.2, Econ 2.78 (6/0)
Allan Donald: 72 tests, 330 wkts @ 22.25, SR 47.0, Econ 2.83 (20/3)
Jason Gillespie: 71 tests, 259 wkts @ 26.13, SR 54.9, Econ 2.85 (8/0)
Richard Hadlee: 26 tests, 132 wkts @ 21.73, SR 50.0, Econ 2.60 (12/3)
Imran Khan: 34 tests, 113 wkts @ 23.63, SR 54.7, Econ 2.59 (6/2)
Malcolm Marshall: 41 tests, 188 wkts @ 19.78, SR 46.3, Econ 2.55 (9/2)
Glenn McGrath: 119 tests, 542 wkts @ 21.55, SR 51.6, Econ 2.50 (28/3)
Saun Pollock: 102 tests, 395 wkts @ 23.42, SR 58.6, Econ 2.39 (16/1)
Waqar Younis: 87 tests, 373 wkts @ 23.56, SR 43.4, Econ 3.25 (22/5)
Courtney Walsh: 126 tests, 503 wkts @ 24.21, SR 57.6, Econ 2.52 (22/3)

* Fast bowler criteria: 1986-2006 bowling ave < 27 and strike rate of < 60.0

Btw, the 1986-2006 World XI so far:

1. Matthew Hayden: 84 tests, 7326 runs @ 53.08 (26/26)
2. Saeed Anwar: 55 tests, 4052 runs @ 45.52 (11/25)
3. Ricky Ponting: 105 tests, 8792 runs @ 58.22 (31/34)
4. Sachin Tendulkar: 132 tests, 10469 runs @ 55.39 (35/41)
5. *Brian Lara: 128 tests, 11505 runs @ 52.05 (32/47)
6. …………………….
7. *Adam Gilchrist: 85 tests, 355 dismissals (320/35), 5124 runs @ 48.80 (16/22)
8. …………………….
9. Shane Warne: 140 tests, 685 Wkts @ 25.25, SR 57.3, Econ 2.64 (36/10)
10. ………………….
11. ………………….

* Poll still running

 

[aussie tragic]

This was a tough one but I couldn't go past Marshall, who I rate as one of the best of all time (and his 1986-2006 stats are the best of the lot, albeit not as many tests). For his opening partner, it was very close between Ambrose and McGrath but I think Ambrose was much more intimidating IMO.

 

[Steulen]

I could have voted for all of them, in the end I decided on McGrath and Akram. But really could have been any of those bowlers...

 

[oz_fan]

I went for Ambrose and McGrath.

 

[nightprowler10]

I could have voted for all of them, in the end I decided on McGrath and Akram. But really could have been any of those bowlers...

I can't make up my mind about this.

I like your choices, but with Akram and McGrath you don't get sheer pace.

 

[adharcric]

I just spent the past 15 minutes trying to figure this one out. By far the toughest decision to make in this poll. For me, it's very, very, very close between four men.

Malcolm Marshall
Glenn McGrath
Wasim Akram
Curtly Ambrose

I guess I'll have to think harder.

 

[adharcric]

Marshall is the best but didn't play enough.
McGrath has been the epitome of consistency and excellence among fast bowlers in this era.
Akram is such a versatile bowler and a handy bat as well.
Ambrose brings bounce, pace and intimidation. Figures aren't bad either.

Hmm, that didn't help. Still can't decide ...

 

[Perm]

Ambrose and McGrath. But it was a very tough decision.

 

[Steulen]

I can't make up my mind about this.

I like your choices, but with Akram and McGrath you don't get sheer pace.

But you do get a lot of wickets .

McGrath got the nod because of his unerring accuracy and ability to extract just enough movement. Akram also for his reverse swinging of the old ball.

 

[aussie tragic]

Marshall is the best but didn't play enough.
McGrath has been the epitome of consistency and excellence among fast bowlers in this era.
Akram is such a versatile bowler and a handy bat as well.
Ambrose brings bounce, pace and intimidation. Figures aren't bad either.

Hmm, that didn't help. Still can't decide ...

Malcom Marshall played 41 tests and took 188 wkts during the 1986-2006 period, which until 10 years ago would have been considered a fantastic career haul...plus he averages 19 with the bat during the period..... easily the best and has done enough in the period IMO

 

[Matt79]

Curtley and Marshall. Marshall would be in an all-time XI, and Curtley would be very very close as well.

I'll be voting for Imran at 6. And apologies to McGrath.

 

[Loots]

Ambrose and Donald - Donald because of his high strike rate and Ambrose for his pace and bounce. Should be a partnership good enough to unsettle any batsman.

 

[aussie tragic]

Curtley and Marshall. Marshall would be in an all-time XI, and Curtley would be very very close as well.

I'll be voting for Imran at 6. And apologies to McGrath.

McGrath can always be the final bowler selected

 

[Matt79]

I think Murali has that sewn up...

prolly fair to.

 

[nightprowler10]

Well after careful deliberation I've decided that I can't decide. So I'll go with my two all time favorites, Ambrose and Akram.

 

[BhupinderSingh]

Wasim Akram & Imran Khan.Btw,why is Kapil Dev not one of the poll options?

 

[aussie tragic]

Wasim Akram & Imran Khan.Btw,why is Kapil Dev not one of the poll options?

Kapil Dev will be in the Allrounder / #6 Batsman Poll but he didn't meet the entry criteria of bowling average < 27 and SR < 60 during 1986-2006.

For info, please note the following great bowlers just missed the cut:

Craig McDermott: 59 tests, 245 wkts @ 27.53, SR 56.6
Merv Hughes: 52 tests, 211 wkts @ 27.93, SR 57.1
Heath Streak: 65 tests, 216 wkts @ 28.14, SR 62.7
Makhaya Ntini: 69 tests, 274 wkts @ 28.28, SR 53.2
Darren Gough: 58 tests, 229 wkts @ 28.39, SR 51.6
Steve Harmison: 45 tests, 179 wkts @ 28.81, SR 55.1
Chris Cairns: 62 tests, 218 wkts @ 29.40, SR 53.6
Chaminda Vaas: 94 tests, 307 wkts @ 29.51, SR 66.3
Matthew Hoggard: 58 tests, 222 wkts @ 29.76, SR 54.8
Andy Caddick: 62 tests, 234 wkts @ 29.91, SR 57.9
Javagal Srinath: 67 tests, 236 wkts @ 30.49, SR 64.0
Andrew Flintoff: 62 tests, 186 wkts @ 31.32, SR 63.1
Brett Lee: 54 tests, 211 wkts @ 31.45, SR 52.5
Kapil Dev: 58 tests, 154 wkts @ 31.74, SR 77.4

 

[Fratboy]

Ambrose and Donald - Donald because of his high strike rate and Ambrose for his pace and bounce. Should be a partnership good enough to unsettle any batsman.

Seems like we're the only ones going for White Lightning.

I can't figure out why Donald is ignored by so many when he has virtually the same average and SR as Marshall, only over more tests, and as part of a lesser attack than the West indies.

 

[adharcric]

Marshall and Ambrose it is. Just a minute ago I was set on McGrath and Ambrose. Just thirty seconds ago I was set on Akram and Ambrose. Now this. I'm done.

 

[Beleg]

All of the above, with the possible exception of Jason Gellispie would breeze into any pace bowling attack in the history of the world cricket that ever played.