Ikki
Hall of Fame Member
Imran's got an interesting action IMO. Bowls faster than he looks*.
*for some reason I am thinking he bowled about 140+kph. Is that true?
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Best Bowling Action
- Thread starter smash84
- Start date
*for some reason I am thinking he bowled about 140+kph. Is that true?
bagapath
International Captain
he was in the 140+ category till 1984, possibly touching 150+ speeds during certain spells in 81-82. he cut down on pace post 1987 but some rockets were fired occasionally. in his last two years, though, he was probably bowling only at around 125 kmph. akram's career also had a similar pattern, in my opinion, except that he was closer to 130 even in his final season.
slog sweep
Cricket Spectator
How many were drawn though? Winnng percentage more relevant for bowlers, I imagine, and losing percentage for batsmen.
The West Indies didn't lose a Test series between 1980 and 1995, and Marshall and Holding were arguably the two greatest match-winners in that legendary team, so they won plenty.
Between ' 83 and ' 86, the favored opening combination was Marshall and Holding, with Joel Garner coming on first change. With both in the team, they played 33 tests, won 22, drew 10 and only lost once in a dead rubber. So they won just under 70%. As individual bowlers they were not only mesmerizing to watch and freakishly skillful, but as an opening combination they were pretty close to unbeatable.
The West Indies didn't lose a Test series between 1980 and 1995, and Marshall and Holding were arguably the two greatest match-winners in that legendary team, so they won plenty.
Between ' 83 and ' 86, the favored opening combination was Marshall and Holding, with Joel Garner coming on first change. With both in the team, they played 33 tests, won 22, drew 10 and only lost once in a dead rubber. So they won just under 70%. As individual bowlers they were not only mesmerizing to watch and freakishly skillful, but as an opening combination they were pretty close to unbeatable.
smash84
The Tiger King
Ian Chappell is on record to suggest that in 1981 when he faced Imran he seemed to him to be quicker than Thomson but that is quite subjective. He came out third behind Thommo and Holding in the fast bowlers competition in Australia in 1979. He was quicker in the 79-82 era before his injury. Richie Benaud reckons in ESPN Legends of cricket that Imran would have been around 87-88 mph generally which would be 140+ km.
I am not sure he bowls faster than he looks. That jump before the delivery seemed to allow him to put a lot of power in the delivery.
Yeah agree about his pace in 81-82. Ian Chappell said that he found him faster than Thommo. Akram probably relied more on shoulder only. In his last season when he was pushing it I remember him bowling 135+ (near 140) in 2003 WC.
The Sean
Cricketer Of The Year
Most of the blokes I'd mention - Lindwall, Larwood, Donald, Lillee - have already been called (though, incidentally, how ****ing beautiful to watch would the all-time letter "L" attack be?), so I'll give a shout-out to one who has been thus far overlooked:
Ted McDonald
Ted McDonald
smash84
The Tiger King
Who's he????
bagapath
International Captain
Tony "L"ock occasionally chucked. but Jim "L"aker had a beautiful action. Lillee, Larwood, Lindwall and Laker would make a formidable, and beautiful, bowling attack.