Allan Donald vs Michael Holding

[subshakerz]

White Lightning vs Whispering Death. Two relatively underrated world class bowlers with terrific bowling actions, also among the fastest bowlers of their time.

At first glance, I would go with Donald, but Holding had a seriously good record in hindsight, including three mega series hauls in England (1976), Australia (1981) and India (1983). One of Donald's drawbacks for me was the relative lack of matchwinning hauls abroad.

Imran Khan considered Holding the most gifted bowler he ever saw, moreso than Wasim. The only possible drawback is that he played a relatively few 60 tests.

Who should rank higher?

 

[Line and Length]

I've always rated Holding among the top tier of quicks. Donald was very, very good, but not quite up there.

 

[Arachnodouche]

Not sure what constitutes match-winning hauls, but you don't get a record like Donald's without being very consistent in all conditions.

 

[subshakerz]

Not sure what constitutes match-winning hauls, but you don't get a record like Donald's without being very consistent in all conditions.

Spells that either set up or seal a victory in overseas conditions.

 

[Coronis]

Donald

 

[Jack1]

Donald.

 

[Slifer]

Inspite of my unashamed West Indian bias, it has to be White Lightning. !!

 

[kyear2]

Yeah, Donald is top 10 for me so have to go with him here. But Holding was something special.

 

[Gob]

It's so close. I want to say Donald but something holding me

 

[sunilz]

You should have added poll.
Donald

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Hard to say as I never saw Holding and YouTube clips/match reports aren't the same. If he was better than Donald he must've been quite some bowler.

 

[ankitj]

This needs a poll. I'll go with Donald. May be because I treat 300 wickets as a cutoff for longevity for bowlers. But people say really amazing things about Holding so probably not much between them. And both have such amazingly smooth actions. Perfection for the eye.

When @mr_mister ran CW poll on greatest pace bowlers, I recall Holding, Donald and Lindwall were tied at around #11 spot

 

[ankitj]

BTW, what was Holding's style? I know bit more about styles of Marshall and Garner than Holding. This could be a good education thread for those of us who were too young to have seen Holding play.

 

[subshakerz]

This needs a poll. I'll go with Donald. May be because I treat 300 wickets as a cutoff for longevity for bowlers. But people say really amazing things about Holding so probably not much between them. And both have such amazingly smooth actions. Perfection for the eye.

When @mr_mister ran CW poll on greatest pace bowlers, I recall Holding, Donald and Lindwall were tied at around #11 spot

Good suggestion, poll added.

 

[subshakerz]

BTW, what was Holding's style? I know bit more about styles of Marshall and Garner than Holding. This could be a good education thread for those of us who were too young to have seen Holding play.

Holding was more about all out pace but dont know much beyond that.

 

[subshakerz]

This needs a poll. I'll go with Donald. May be because I treat 300 wickets as a cutoff for longevity for bowlers. But people say really amazing things about Holding so probably not much between them. And both have such amazingly smooth actions. Perfection for the eye.

When @mr_mister ran CW poll on greatest pace bowlers, I recall Holding, Donald and Lindwall were tied at around #11 spot

Yeah, I understand 300 wickets being a cutoff, but there was only 12 test difference between Donald and Holding, so would longevity be that much of a factor?

 

[Jayro]

Donald,he was so devastating in all formats so much so that he even started winning ODIs for his team at one time which is usually considered primarily a batsmen's game.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

Michael Holding was as good as any of the other West Indian quick bowlers. He started quite young, was interrupted by the World Series, and retired fairly young as well (a few days after his 33rd birthday). He doesn't have the longevity and never played against Pakistan, so if stats mongering is your thing he's probably rated a bit lower. Best bowler ever to watch side on from the stands in terms of run up and action.
I think Donald was top tier as well.

 

[stephen]

BTW, what was Holding's style? I know bit more about styles of Marshall and Garner than Holding. This could be a good education thread for those of us who were too young to have seen Holding play.

His style was to make art out of a bowler's run up and delivery.

He was seriously good on the eye and because of how smooth he was he was also seriously quick.

 

[stephen]

Imagine seeing off an over of Marshall just to have Holding galloping in at you from the other end.