McDermott or Gillespie?

[stephen]

Australia have had two bowlers that have both done exceptionally well.

Craig McDermott | Australia Cricket | Cricket Players and Officials | Cricinfo.com

and

Jason Gillespie | Australia Cricket | Cricket Players and Officials | Cricinfo.com

Both are statistically very similar. Which do you rate more highly and why?

[Nnanden]

McDermott one of Australia's most under-rated for mine. He was so consistent and reliable, love watching the old footage of him.

[Son Of Coco]

Have to go with Gillespie, he's a personal favourite. Think he was a very, very good bowler.

[flibbertyjibber]

I rated McDermott higher,he had to lead the attack when the Aussies were rebuilding and didn't have the benefit of Warne or McGrath at the other end to help him like Gillespie did.I see this argument as a bit like a Border v Waugh one as AB was virtually carrying the side for a long time but Waugh had a great side around him.Makes the efforts of the lone man even more impressive in my opinion.

[archie mac]

I rated McDermott higher,he had to lead the attack when the Aussies were rebuilding and didn't have the benefit of Warne or McGrath at the other end to help him like Gillespie did.I see this argument as a bit like a Border v Waugh one as AB was virtually carrying the side for a long time but Waugh had a great side around him.Makes the efforts of the lone man even more impressive in my opinion.

Agree with that, also he was thrown in before he was ready (19 I think), and later was easily Australia's best bowler for a period

[FaaipDeOiad]

Gillespie at his best was an amazing bowler. Fair to say he reached that "best" a fair bit less often than McDermott did, but I think he was more gifted and more likely to run through a side.

Still a very good bowler once he dropped a bit of pace too, until he went to pieces leading up to the '05 Ashes. Outbowled both Warne and McGrath in the series against India in 2004, which is saying a lot.

[Ikki]

I picked Gillespie, I know what I am gonna get from him and rate him highly. I think had he been on another side other than the Aussies he would have had much more impressive stats - he had to share wickets with two of the greatest bowlers of all-time.

[Black_Warrior]

I have always had a lot of time for Jason Gillespie..I believe there was a time in 2003-2004 when he was the best bowler in the world. I felt he was treated unfairly after the Ashes debacle..
And I also believe that McGrath got a lot of his wickets because of Gillespie..just like Wasim got a lot of his wickets because of Waqar.

[Jayzamann]

Ohhh man I just can't look past that huge glaring 201* on Gillespie's page. Haha.

[aussie]

McDemott slighltly..

[SJS]

Lawry by a mile and some

[Noble One]

Rate McDermott much higher. This man carried the Australian attack for so many years, and it is ridiculous the pressure this man was under to create the early breakthrough. Enjoyable bowler to watch, emotive guy with the ball in hand and he made you feel a part of the action.

Don't remember a time Gillespie was anything more than the 2nd or 3rd choice bowler in the Australian lineup, still a fine bowler when fit though.

[Top_Cat]

McDermott by some distance. In no way a criticism of Gillespie either. As much raw talent as he had, Dizzy just went missing too often to lead an attack like Billy did.

[BoyBrumby]

Probably go with McDermott too. Funnily enough, when McGrath first came onto the scene (roughly the same time as McDermott was leaving) I thought we'd just seen off one Australio-Sweaty and it was jolly unfair another had sprung up to replace him. Still, I consoled myself with the thought he'd never be as good as the departing McDermott...

[Anil]

mcdermott for me, clearly...