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Greatest Test Bowling Spells - A working project
- Thread starter Days of Grace
- Start date
Outswinger@Pace
International 12th Man
Top effort, DoG. I understand that the number of wickets taken count for a lot in this exercise. All the top spells are invariably 8-fers or 9-fers. I also gather that the quality of batsmen dismissed influence these ratings. Not sure if you were able to factor in the pitch situation appropriately though?
A few thoughts, if I may be allowed to:
1) Dennis Lillee
Sticking with Lillee, I'd personally place his 10-fer at Oval, 1972 above the 83/7 (MCG, 1981) or even his Centenary test spell. The Aus team which left for English shores on the 1972 tour were thorough underdogs, set to regain the Ashes against a much stronger opposition (on paper). Plus, the Oval track was absolutely placid and then there was the added pressure of trailing 2-1 in the series. Add to that the intangible factor of discovering for the first time as a 23-yr-old athlete that he had back problems.
I'd say that 58/5 in the first innings, in particular, was perhaps Lillee's best ever performance on a cricket field. A match where Ashley Mallet and Deadly (spinners) were the star performers. Deserves to be up there, IMHO.
2) Glenn McGrath
As a lot of others have mentioned, McGrath's 5-fer at Lord's 2005 deserves to be higher up for sheer impact value. Better than his 24/8 at Perth, I'd say. And the fact that he completely dominated a very good English top order, dismantling the furniture seemingly at will. Never have I seen a ground's natural attributes (slope, in this case) used to such great effect.
3) Andy Roberts
The first innings 7-fer at Madras (then) in 1974-75 deserves to be up there, IMHO. Took 12 in the test where no other pace bowler made any impact.
4) Typhoon
5) Malcolm Marshall
On the whole, cheers for the list, man. A very interesting thread for me!
A few thoughts, if I may be allowed to:
1) Dennis Lillee
AWTA. Also DK's 27/7 against RSA in Johannesburg, 1975-76, if you can.
Sticking with Lillee, I'd personally place his 10-fer at Oval, 1972 above the 83/7 (MCG, 1981) or even his Centenary test spell. The Aus team which left for English shores on the 1972 tour were thorough underdogs, set to regain the Ashes against a much stronger opposition (on paper). Plus, the Oval track was absolutely placid and then there was the added pressure of trailing 2-1 in the series. Add to that the intangible factor of discovering for the first time as a 23-yr-old athlete that he had back problems.
I'd say that 58/5 in the first innings, in particular, was perhaps Lillee's best ever performance on a cricket field. A match where Ashley Mallet and Deadly (spinners) were the star performers. Deserves to be up there, IMHO.
2) Glenn McGrath
As a lot of others have mentioned, McGrath's 5-fer at Lord's 2005 deserves to be higher up for sheer impact value. Better than his 24/8 at Perth, I'd say. And the fact that he completely dominated a very good English top order, dismantling the furniture seemingly at will. Never have I seen a ground's natural attributes (slope, in this case) used to such great effect.
From a man who's perhaps seen a lot more cricket than I have. But my sentiments are the same.
3) Andy Roberts
The first innings 7-fer at Madras (then) in 1974-75 deserves to be up there, IMHO. Took 12 in the test where no other pace bowler made any impact.
4) Typhoon
Up there with the best things a man can do on a cricket forum. Top stuff, sir!
5) Malcolm Marshall
And I agree. This 29-5 on a low and slow Sydney deck worth considering, perhaps?
On the whole, cheers for the list, man. A very interesting thread for me!
Last edited:
Outswinger@Pace
International 12th Man
And while you're at it, DoG, maybe one of Dizzy's spells from Nagpur, 2004 can be looked at? Thanks, mate!
