Wasim or McGrath?

[vic_orthdox]

One thing about the whole "slip catching thing" with McGrath is that because of his relative lack of pace, and his unerring length which means that most edges are off defensive shots rather than big drives, the catches that come to slips are a bit easier.

Whereas Wasim tended to lure the batsmen into a big drive and get the nick, partly because he was a left armer and the use of the angle, and also because he was more of a swing bowler. Thus edges "fly" to the slips, making the degree of difficulty a bit higher in catching them.

 

[adharcric]

Hayden, Taylor and Waugh can also catch better than whoever stood in the slips for Pakistan all those years.

 

[nightprowler10]

One thing about the whole "slip catching thing" with McGrath is that because of his relative lack of pace, and his unerring length which means that most edges are off defensive shots rather than big drives, the catches that come to slips are a bit easier.

Whereas Wasim tended to lure the batsmen into a big drive and get the nick, partly because he was a left armer and the use of the angle, and also because he was more of a swing bowler. Thus edges "fly" to the slips, making the degree of difficulty a bit higher in catching them.

Good point. But I think if the two players switched teams, Wasim would end up with a much better average and McGrath with much worse. Even McGrath's easier edges would be a challenge for our slip fielders of back then and now. Younis Khan (and some of the newer guys) are the only decent slip fielders we've had in the last decade.

But anyway, that isn't to add to the Wasim vs Glenn discussion, rather just an observation.

 

[PhoenixFire]

A point to make is, is that Pakistan didn't nearly have the good back up bowling or fielding as Aus did. They had the great slippers, Warne and co tying up the other end, that must have contributed to McGrath's great stats.

 

[nightprowler10]

A point to make is, is that Pakistan didn't nearly have the good back up bowling or fielding as Aus did. They had the great slippers, Warne and co tying up the other end, that must have contributed to McGrath's great stats.

Well, some might argue that the fact Warne was in the same team as McGrath actually hurt Glenn's chances of taking even more wickets.

 

[shortpitched713]

Well, some might argue that the fact Warne was in the same team as McGrath actually hurt Glenn's chances of taking even more wickets.

That doesn't show in stats like averages and strike rates though, which is what everyone is looking at. Plus Wasim had guys like Waqar and Imran at the other end, so it wasn't like he was getting all the wickets for himself either.

 

[nightprowler10]

I agree, but then you're proving my original point right, which was that having good bowlers in your team doesn't help you take more wickets, but less, and furthermore the point can't be used for either bowler as they both always had some of the best bowlers in their respective teams.

 

[shortpitched713]

I don't think people are holding it against Wasim that he didn't get 500+ wickets like McGrath has. But they are holding his average, strike rate, and economy rate against him. And for the first two of those three stats, it is a little bit unfair, for the reasons already mentioned.