Johan
Hall of Fame Member
Four guys I think are the best English pacers after the top three, who is the best of them? the case for each would be
Harold Larwood – probably the fastest bowler England has ever produced, alongside Frank Tyson and perhaps Mark Wood, extremely quick, very accurate and good at outswingers. Immense peer reputation, universally seen as well superior to Bill Voce (average 26) and Bill Bowes (average 21) who were very good in a batter friendly era. A bit of a dissapointing international career, banned from Cricket when he seemed like he would peak, average upped by the injury induced 1930 Ashes.
Alec Bedser – unplayable when there is life to the pitch. Could easily bowl the most overs here,1950 and 53 Ashes performances. The case against him would be the fact that he could look a little middling and run of the mill on wickets that didn't aid his deceptive bounce/pace or his cutters.
Brian Statham – averaged 23 near the end of his career, high peer reputation, a lot faster than Bedser but obviously slower than Larwood, tall and got awkward bounce, extremely accurate and a good seamer, consistent accross conditions. However, lacked the penetrative abilities of Bedser and Larwood so never had huge serieses, completely failed against West Indies at home but did very well in West Indies in context. A little dissapointing in home Ashes.
John Snow – Quick and skilful, Excellent away from home, ATG series in Australia and West Indies, almost exclusively played the strongest teams in Australia and West Indies, and averaged 26 against them with 2.3 wkts an inning. Could look a little middling at home, disinterested sometimes.
Harold Larwood – probably the fastest bowler England has ever produced, alongside Frank Tyson and perhaps Mark Wood, extremely quick, very accurate and good at outswingers. Immense peer reputation, universally seen as well superior to Bill Voce (average 26) and Bill Bowes (average 21) who were very good in a batter friendly era. A bit of a dissapointing international career, banned from Cricket when he seemed like he would peak, average upped by the injury induced 1930 Ashes.
Alec Bedser – unplayable when there is life to the pitch. Could easily bowl the most overs here,1950 and 53 Ashes performances. The case against him would be the fact that he could look a little middling and run of the mill on wickets that didn't aid his deceptive bounce/pace or his cutters.
Brian Statham – averaged 23 near the end of his career, high peer reputation, a lot faster than Bedser but obviously slower than Larwood, tall and got awkward bounce, extremely accurate and a good seamer, consistent accross conditions. However, lacked the penetrative abilities of Bedser and Larwood so never had huge serieses, completely failed against West Indies at home but did very well in West Indies in context. A little dissapointing in home Ashes.
John Snow – Quick and skilful, Excellent away from home, ATG series in Australia and West Indies, almost exclusively played the strongest teams in Australia and West Indies, and averaged 26 against them with 2.3 wkts an inning. Could look a little middling at home, disinterested sometimes.
