Best Bowling Combination Possible

[Red]

I think you could argue that for a year or two at his peak, Waqar was probably the best fast bowler ever. He had it all, extreme pace, swinging it both ways, vicious bouncer and ridiculously good yorker. At times he looked unplayable.

 

[Himannv]

Why is there so much Larwood dissing going on here? By all accounts, he was the best fast bowler of his generation and was considered extremely quick and also exceptionally accurate. His FC record is incredible despite that period being known for its batting friendly pitches.

 

[Red]

Why is there so much Larwood dissing going on here? By all accounts, he was the best fast bowler of his generation and was considered extremely quick and also exceptionally accurate. His FC record is incredible despite that period being known for its batting friendly pitches.

I think some people just fail to understand why some others rate him really highly.

 

[Himannv]

I think some people just fail to understand why some others rate him really highly.

Well it's a common problem with any bowler who we haven't seen much footage of. There will always be people who think he's amazing and people who would be a bit more sceptical. However, I don't see many people questioning the credentials of players like Barnes and O'Reilly.

 

[Red]

Well it's a common problem with any bowler who we haven't seen much footage of. There will always be people who think he's amazing and people who would be a bit more sceptical. However, I don't see many people questioning the credentials of players like Barnes and O'Reilly.

I think the stats come in to play a bit here. O'Reilly and Barnes had ridiculously good stats, while Larwood's were so-so at test level (I know stats aren't everything etc). Larwood's contemporary, Bill Voce, had virtually exactly the same stats (average and SR) as Larwood.

 

[Himannv]

I think the stats come in to play a bit here. O'Reilly and Barnes had ridiculously good stats, while Larwood's were so-so at test level (I know stats aren't everything etc). Larwood's contemporary, Bill Voce, had virtually exactly the same stats (average and SR) as Larwood.

I agree that Larwood's test stats aren't the best, but there could be plenty of reasons for this. There certainly isn't anything shabby about his FC stats.

 

[fredfertang]

I think you could argue that for a year or two at his peak, Waqar was probably the best fast bowler ever. He had it all, extreme pace, swinging it both ways, vicious bouncer and ridiculously good yorker. At times he looked unplayable.

And therein, I suppose, lies the problem - I completely agree, but how long does someone have to be at their peak to deserve to be up there with the great and the good? Jack Iverson always strikes me as a good example, and probably Alf Valentine and Sonny Ramadhin are too - to my mind they are all the "wrong" side of the line, but for me Waqar did enough

 

[Dan]

Another combination:

Larwood
Lillee
Verity
Laker
Miller


Wanted a left arm spinner, then a classical offie to turn it the opposite way.

 

[smash84]

Smali in "I'm all over a post supporting Imran" shocker.

 

[Red]

And therein, I suppose, lies the problem - I completely agree, but how long does someone have to be at their peak to deserve to be up there with the great and the good? Jack Iverson always strikes me as a good example, and probably Alf Valentine and Sonny Ramadhin are too - to my mind they are all the "wrong" side of the line, but for me Waqar did enough

Waqar, yeh, almost...

It's hard to judge with quick bowlers. Because of the nature of fast bowling, most peak for about two years, some a bit longer. There careers sometimes go for a lot longer, and they are still good, but not as good as they once were. So, if you're a flat out cricket nerd who loves discussing ATG teams, do you judge them on their absolute peak period, or their whole career, or a combo of both? Probably the latter.

That's why McGrath is such a freak. Maintained really high consistency and strike power for so long.

 

[Ikki]

Of those you have above, 3+1:

Marshall, McGrath, Lillee and Warne.

I think for a greatest ever line-up you need 3 genuine ATG pacers. A possible Australian line-up I like is: Lillee, McGrath, Miller/Lindwall, Warne and O'Reilly.

 

[harsh.ag]

Of the combinations I listed in the beginning of the thread, I liked this one a lot

Marshall, Garner, McGrath, Murali

Replace McGrath with Hadlee and it's all the same for me. I like this combo because of its wicket-taking ability. I have always felt that the best measure of a good bowler is how quickly and cheaply they take their wickets. Just because someone is better to watch would not make me want them in my team. Yes, I would rather watch Lillee, Wasim, and Waqar than Garner, McGrath and Hadlee, but I could watch them on the other team too. If I want a winning combo, I think these bowlers are the best. Then this business about getting the best batsmen out the most, or having legendary duels with great batsmen seems borne more out of romanticism than anything else. Lastly, variation plays a key role here. Marshall was a complete bowler, he had everything in his arsenal, including reverse swing. McGrath is the corridor specialist, who also had a huge number of variations, again including reverse swing. Garner is the guy who I think would be an ideal third variant. Booming bouncers, and brilliant yorkers.

Murali as the spin specialist, just whiskers ahead of Warne for me. Let's not go there

 

[lockton2skipper]

holding roberts marshall and garner, finest quartet ever

 

[fredfertang]

holding roberts marshall and garner, finest quartet ever

I agree, although the later, in my view slightly inferior combinations, had a more impressive record.

 

[harsh.ag]

The way it works for me is this:

1st Pacer - Pick between Marshall and Lillee; Currently, I prefer Marshall. Complete all round bowler.

2nd Pacer - Pick between McGrath, Hadlee and Ambrose; Currently I prefer McGrath. Best corridor bowler with lots of variation.

3rd Pacer - Pick one to best complement the first two. This is tricky. Pick between Garner, Wasim, Barnes and Waqar; Currently pick Garner. Deadly bouncers and brilliant yorkers. Good variation after the other two.

Spinner - Pick between you-know-whos.

I used to pick Wasim, but then realized that both Marshall and McGrath were pretty adept at reverse swing themselves (especially Marshall), and had great sub-continent records. Not saying this negates the usefulness of Wasim, who is still very much a front-runner for this spot, but it made me look at other options with more care.

Barnes I do not know what to do with. No way of judging him. Waqar's peak makes me consider him. My opinions are not fixed for too long on this topic. Primarily why I started this thread, and always use "currently" while talking about it.

Could anybody else share their model for selecting their attacks?

 

[Agent Nationaux]

1. Out and Out fast - Waqar or Marshall
2. Left Hander - Wasim
3. Seam and Swing bowler - McGrath, Hadlee and Imran
4. Spinner - Warne

 

[Saint Kopite]

Marshall, Wasim, Ambrose, Warne.

 

[Eds]

Why is there so much Larwood dissing going on here? By all accounts, he was the best fast bowler of his generation and was considered extremely quick and also exceptionally accurate. His FC record is incredible despite that period being known for its batting friendly pitches.

It's not "Larwood dissing". Suggesting he isn't the greatest bowler of all-time is hardly the gravest insult.

I personally find it incredible that anyone could rate him above someone like Marshall. Seems ridiculous to me.

 

[smash84]

Marshall....were pretty adept at reverse swing themselves (especially Marshall), and had great sub-continent records.?

Can you shed a bit more light on this?

I heard one other member say this but didn't really back his statement.

I don't really recall Marshall being very adept at reverse swing. When did you see him do it or be successful at it? Do you have any video of him doing it? (I do know McG could reverse it a bit, and you could probably find videos on youtube too)

 

[Mike5181]

Why is there so much Larwood dissing going on here? By all accounts, he was the best fast bowler of his generation and was considered extremely quick and also exceptionally accurate. His FC record is incredible despite that period being known for its batting friendly pitches.

There's plenty of bowlers with quality FC records tbh. Marshall, Hadlee, Garner, Ambrose, Walsh etc.