Bahnz
Hall of Fame Member
Thought it better to respond to this in a new thread.Thread derailment alert but: I've never quite understood this prevailing assumption, particularly among NZ fans, that Southee is the true talent of his generation while Boult by comparison is his limited but gutsy back-up.
Apart from the Raw Statzzzz which favour Boult, he also probably bowls a shade quicker on average and at peak (although they are both variable on this score), has shown a shade more ability to get it swinging both ways and is probably the more spectacular/exaggerated swinger of the ball when truly on song. He's also the better athlete and to me has the more aesthetically pleasing and athletic looking bowling action.
I'm also aware of the limitations of Boult's bowling but on a pure "raw talent and eye-test" score I would've thought he at least looks like the "talent" out of the two.
I think Southee has the highest ceiling out of the two. At their best, both bowlers bowl at very similar speeds (low 140's), both get hoola-hoop swing and both utilise well disguised variations. But I think Southee at his peak showed greater consistency than Boult ever has, and has a big weapon that Boult can't ever hope to match - height.
Having said all that, Boult will probably have the better career. Because he has the more important characteristic of ambition and determination. I remember reading an interview with an 18 year old Boult where he said he wanted to become the best bowler in the world. It wasn't a clueless dream, he knew full well how hard achieving that would be, but he believed firmly that there was no point in setting your sights at anything less. I've never heard anything as ambitious come out of Southee's mouth, and his laid-back character seems much more likely to result in a mediocre 'good enough' career.