James Anderson vs Courtney Walsh

[BazBall21]

I thought he was Greek



iirc he also voted Anderson in the last couple of polls

Yeah fair enough. I vote Walsh. Think he is better by a small but clear margin.

 

[subshakerz]

Honestly having watched both I just don't think Walsh was a better bowler than Anderson. I also think the difference in stats is mainly the flat pitch era that Anderson had.

I also think Walsh in Australia is not the same as Anderson in Australia. Walsh never had a good series there whereas Anderson had roads and still had a key Ashes winning performance in 2010.

Walsh was excellent in SC but Anderson has some of the best reverse swing and flat pitch performances I can remember that won key games and series.

And I think the skill level of Anderson at home is a higher ceiling than the lethalness of what Walsh was consistently capable of.

The real sore point in Anderson's record is in SA which is sort of unexplainable but to me not a deal breaker.

 

[PlayerComparisons]

I think Walsh’s pace and bounce gave him a higher ceiling than Anderson and even Pollock

 

[Johan]

I think Walsh’s pace and bounce gave him a higher ceiling than Anderson and Pollock

Bounce Yes, Walsh's pace tho...? I don't think it was high

 

[BazBall21]

Honestly having watched both I just don't think Walsh was a better bowler than Anderson. I also think the difference in stats is mainly the flat pitch era that Anderson had.

I also think Walsh in Australia is not the same as Anderson in Australia. Walsh never had a good series there whereas Anderson had roads and still had a key Ashes winning performance in 2010.

Walsh was excellent in SC but Anderson has some of the best reverse swing and flat pitch performances I can remember that won key games and series.

And I think the skill level of Anderson at home is a higher ceiling than the lethalness of what Walsh was consistently capable of.

The real sore point in Anderson's record is in SA which is sort of unexplainable but to me not a deal breaker.

English exceptionalism

 

[subshakerz]

I think Walsh’s pace and bounce gave him a higher ceiling than Anderson and even Pollock

That wasn't my recollection at all. Walsh when conditions were right was a handful but still a stepdown from Ambrose level of lethal.

 

[BazBall21]

While Walsh was very good in Asia, he played on some very seam-friendly tracks there.

 

[subshakerz]

If Anderson played in the 80s or 90s like Walsh, he would be likely averaging sub 23 at home with 4.5WPM because he wouldn't have the higher degree of flat pitches to dilute his record.

His away record would also improve notably too, in Australia and even possibly SC frankly. No pitches were ever as flat as the UAE where he had exceptionally disciplined spells he doesn't get full credit for.

 

[subshakerz]

While Walsh was very good in Asia, he played on some very seam-friendly tracks there.

Yes and Anderson had nothing like that when he toured UAE and Pakistan. His averages there on those concrete slabs are golden.

 

[BazBall21]

There is also a narrative that he was poor overseas for most of his career. The turning point was actually the 2010/11 Ashes. He was very good from them on (albeit not as destructive as most ATGs hence very good not outstanding). 14 years is a very long career for a seamer.

 

[subshakerz]

There is also a narrative that he was poor overseas for most of his career. The turning point was actually the 2010/11 Ashes. He was very good from them on (albeit not as destructive as most ATGs hence very good not outstanding). 14 years is a very long career for a seamer.

I don't remember Walsh being a consistent matchwinner away from home though it may have to do with the poorer quality of the team in the 90s.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Walsh always wins this one comfortably which I endorse. Away from here, I know people who rate Anderson above Walsh despite hating England almost as much as Fuller does. Thus, to suggest anyone who has that opinion is a parochial England fan is probably a reach.

I don't hate England.

 

[BazBall21]

I don't remember Walsh being a consistent matchwinner away from home though it may have to do with the poorer quality of the team in the 90s.

Perhaps sometimes in the shadow of Curtly. Particularly in Australia.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

If Anderson played in the 80s or 90s like Walsh, he would be likely averaging sub 23 at home with 4.5WPM because he wouldn't have the higher degree of flat pitches to dilute his record.

Not with the England selectors of that era. He would have been frequently dropped.

 

[BazBall21]

I don't hate England.

That was a bit tongue in cheek!

 

[subshakerz]

Perhaps sometimes in the shadow of Curtly. Particularly in Australia.

Walsh honestly did nothing of particular note in Australia In five series except the winning wicket in the 92/93 1 run win.

 

[subshakerz]

Not with the England selectors of that era. He would have been frequently dropped.

Lol maybe I am assuming a durable career. Though he was dropped frequently in the beginning in the 2000s too.

 

[BazBall21]

Walsh honestly did nothing of particular note in Australia In five series except the winning wicket in the 92/93 1 run win.

He was a major flop there for a high quality tall seamer.

 

[BazBall21]

Lol maybe I am assuming a durable career. Though he was dropped frequently in the beginning in the 2000s too.

England in the 90s was a circus. They gave Warne and Tim May a rank turner before giving Ambrose, Walsh and Bishop a dangerous trampoline wicket.

 

[Johan]

England in the 90s was a circus. They gave Warne and Tim May a rank turner before giving Ambrose, Walsh and Bishop a dangerous trampoline wicket.

Ashes 1989 — Ashes 2005 doesn't exist tbh