Yeah but if u were to replace any player in group one with another in group there wouldn't be any significant decrease in strength. Even statistically, there isn't much to chose between a Courtney Walsh and a Wasim Akram. I do acknowledge that Wasim was clearly better but the gap isn't huge. It's the same sort of gap that exists between a batsman like a Lara and an Ala Border.
no some of us have days off
dwta - this is mentioned a lot on cw
So Ponting's record would be a lot worse if he played half his matches in SA? By the same logic Amla, AB etc would average in 60s if they played home tests in Australia.
English pitches don't need to be bowler friendly tbf
No, just need India to tour.
What because it swings and the Duke has a more prominent seam? I guess, but thinking about the games played in 2012 they weren't exactly prime conditions for whooping the ball around. Steyn bowled first change throughout that series as well.
Yeah, just generally speaking
No, it doesn't follow at all. McGrath was a seam bowler, first and foremost he got wickets through movement (often subtle) off the seam, even on unhelpful pitches. When he got a really helpful pitch he was nigh unplayable. Some other blokes rely more on swing, out and out pace etc.
Great bowlers like McGrath don't just rely on seam bowling, but rather have just about everything in their bag of tricks. Here McGrath sets up Ian Bell exquisitely with an inswinger so that that he is bowled next ball playing down the wrong line;
OK then. But it was still a nice inswinger.
Come back McGrath !!!!!