Tribute to Anil Kumble for 500 wickets

[Pratters]

I wouldn't quite go that far - I've still got a huge soft spot for Kapil Dev.

He's in the same bracket though, along with Vishy, Sachin, Gavaskar and Vinoo Mankad (and of course Ranji).

I am glad you mentioned Vishy in that league.

 

[Richard]

Did you have some one in mind? I can't think of to many in fact I can't think of anyone, except maybe Bruce Reid and that was more injury

Or though there was a player named Bill Whitty who I think was much better in Australian conditions.

Not particularly anyone in mind - but you can't be called other than ordinary if you've succeeded against Australia in Australia but been abysmal everywhere else against everyone else.
Ajit Agarkar is someone who comes close, for example.

 

[Tom Halsey]

Ironic thing is, Kumble's control is lesser now than it was for most of his career. He's developed other areas, though, and is clearly a better bowler now than he's ever been.

Yeah, I've noticed he's not had great control in the current series thus far, but he's always looked dangerous, whereas he always used to have great control, but not be as menacing as he is now. I'd agree he's a better bowler than he's ever been.

 

[Jono]

Perhaps thats why he took a downhill slide in ODI cricket? It was his control that often made him a very good limited overs bowler.

Clearly if given the option, I'd take this Kumble who since 03/04 has been brilliant at test level and ordinary at ODI level (leading to him being dropped) over the Kumble of the 90s... but it is interesting that when asked about whether he'll play the ODIs against England, he said if the selectors think he's right for the job he'll be glad to play. He obviously hasn't retired from the format yet and still wants to play.

 

[Richard]

Yeah, I've noticed he's not had great control in the current series thus far, but he's always looked dangerous, whereas he always used to have great control, but not be as menacing as he is now. I'd agree he's a better bowler than he's ever been.

Indeed there are occasions when the two go hand-in-hand. Kumble used to be almost impossible to cut - he hardly ever used to drift onto the pads. However, the fact that he can now be cut means he's not bowling every delivery fast and flat and topspun-only, he's using more variation in flight which means he'll get more loop. The fact that he's drifting onto the pads (been very, VERY noticable this series) is often a result of him getting drift into the right-handers, which added to the fact that his Leg-Break-To-The-Right-Hander is more common now than it used to be results in scores more slip-catches (and the odd more bat-pad).
There was a very interesting article by Sambit Bal on the matter a little while ago, which made me sit-up and take note of several things. One thing, though, he's behind the times with Kumble and ODIs - Kumble hasn't been a good ODI bowler since WC99. Quite why that is, even I couldn't tell you.

 

[luckyeddie]

I am glad you mentioned Vishy in that league.

The old bloke knows what he likes - and Vishy was a batsman I could watch for ever..

 

[Richard]

Me too.
Mark Waugh and Azhar together had nothing on Gundappa.