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Battle of the Australian quicks- post WWI

Red

Red

The normal awards that everyone else has
Following on from the ranking thread, this is a battle to determine who Cricketweb thinks is the greatest Australian quick post WW1, and also to provide a ranking of all quicks since WW1.

Bowlers included in the battle are those considered by Cricinfo to be "pace" bowlers or "mixture"s who have taken 50 or more test wickets*. Bowlers will be randomised and pitted against the player below them in the randomised order. The winner of each battle will progress to the next round, and so on. I will run three battles every two days. Please put some consideration into your choices, but the way you interpret "greatest" is up to you.

Siddle
Walker
Starc
Kasprowicz
Fleming
Gilmour
Connolly
Gillespie
Hawke
Lillee
K.Mackay
Pascoe
McKenzie
Bichel
Jeff Thomson
Hogg
Bruce Reid
Reiffel
Hilfenhaus
Davidson
McDermott
Gregory
Keith Miller
Stuart Clark
Lawson
Dymock
Lindwall
Merv Hughes
McGrath
S.Watson
Pattinson
Alderman
Harris
Mitchell Johnson
Lee
Wall
Bollinger
Bill Johnston

* I have removed the Waughs and Colin Miller from the list cricinfo gave me, because although they meet the criteria, I'm sure most agree they are not pace bowlers in the sense we are looking at for this exercise.
 
Red

Red

The normal awards that everyone else has
Battle 1-3

Vote for 1 player per battle.

Battle 1

Peter Siddle vs Max Walker



Siddle is no doubt a favourite of many on CW, a tireless performer during a transitional period for Australian test cricket. Siddle has proved to be a durable performer very capable of taking important wickets with his control and sometimes surprising pace. Walker was a highly popular and entertaining cricketer of the 70s who played 34 tests, often as 2nd/3rd fiddle to Lillee/Thommo. A skilful swing bowler with an unorthodox action, Walker performed exceptionally well the few times he was given the new ball in the absence of the aforementioned pair.

Battle 2

Mitchell Starc vs Michael Kasprowicz



Mitchell Starc is on the cusp of what could be one of the most exciting test careers we've ever seen. Tall and angular, he works the ball across the right hander as well as bowling a deadly ball the comes back in and shatters stumps. As has been well noted, if he could turn his white ball form into red ball form, he will become one of the all time greats. Kaspa is up against Starc, and Kaspa proved himself to be an incredibly reliable and skilful workhorse for the Australian attack. Although he only played a small amount of tests over ten years, Kasprowicz could always be depended on, clearly displayed in the gutsy performances he showed in India, the place of most pace bowler's nightmares.

Battle 3

Damian Fleming vs Gary Gilmour



Damian Fleming, the bowlologist, was a skilful swing bowler unfortunately afflicted by injury and only managing 20 tests. It's fair to say we didn't see all Fleming might've offered, but those who saw him when he was on song, fit and when conditions suited saw what a dynamic bowler he was. One of the great shames is that he never made an England tour, where his bowling style may have shown similarities to Alderman's in 89. Gary Gilmour, like Max Walker, was often in the shadows of Lillee/Thommo, but as a left arm swing bowler who was also a hard hitting batsman, it could be argued he didn't get the most from himself. According to Gideon Haigh, he has a relaxed attitude to training that was a contrast to others in the 70s who were becoming more professional.
 
Bahnz

Bahnz

Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
If we're talking test cricket then you have to take into account the fact that Starc has generally been pretty average so far. Things may well be different in a couple years time, but right now it has to be Kasper. Siddle and Fleming for the other two.
 
mr_mister

mr_mister

Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
i would still include steve waugh for this. in his early years his bowling kept in the team over his batting. and while it wasnt test cricket his death bowling and use of the slower ball was iconic at the 87 world cup. iceman deserves a run! funky and junior i could take all leave
 
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