Ajmal vs Swann
 

Both can stake claim to be the best off spinner in the world now. Who do you guys reckon is better

If by both you mean Swann then I agree completely with you.

Hmm.

Looks like troll bait to me.

Anyway, even if one suspects Swann is a bit overrated, at least his action is beyond reproach.

Troll bait? Why is that

If comparison threads are not allowed, mods please delete it. My intention is not to to troll.

This thread is set to get very ugly very quickly.

Still won't get as as ugly as Ajmal's bowling, though.

Ajmal isn't bad at all, but I don't think he's as good as Swann. Certainly in tests.

Well Ajmal has more of a claim to be just behind Swann than Harbhajan.

Why do you think it will get ugly? Most people think Swann is the best in the world plus Ajmal has only really done well against minnows and yes he is a chucker.

In tests Swann has really done well against quality sides. In ODIs Ajmal is very good. Also he has the doosra which Swann hasnt managed to develop yet

Having a doosra doesn't mean that someone's a better bowler, otherwise Alex Loudon might've been famous enough to keep Pippa Middleton.

Ajmal throws the doosra every other ball. Batsmen will soon start to pick it up.

It didnt say Doosra makes him better than Swann. but it is still a potent tool in a bowler's arsenal.

ya he does overbowl it a lot. It should be more like an occasional delivery to surprise the batsman.

So now it's the poms turn to have each of their players constantly compared with others from a weaker side.

Those were the days :sadwalk:

Two of my favourite characters in the game. Probably not too dissimilar in quality, but Swann has the edge for at least pretending to keep his bowling arm straightish.

I don't wish to move this thread into a debate over whether Ajmal chucks it or not, he's allowed to bowl in international cricket, and he can still use his doosra, so I'm going to judge this face-off on all things being level in that respect.

I like Ajmal, he's not a defensive off-spinner, and with his ability to turn the ball away from the bat it no doubt increases his threat immeasurably. Like Swann he doesn't necessarily need the pitch to assist him in a big way to have an impact, he's patient, has good variations off the deck and through the air, and has to be considered one of the best around, but at 34 he's unlikely to have enough time to get to the very top.

Currently, for me Swann is still ahead of Ajmal, a Test series in India for Swann still remains a big test for the new and improved Swann, but even the great Shane Warne didn't conquer the opposition there, and it is not the be all and end all, but a good series for him in India will confirm his ranking as the very best.

When Swann isn't taking wickets he's still keeping things economical and working to an alternative plan. His line is generally attacking outisde the off stump, and he too can beat the bat on the outside without having the use of the doosra. Am hoping to see Swann return to his absolute threatening best when we come across Pakistan at the start of next year.