Who is the best spinner in world cricket today?

[Noble One]

Placed my vote for Swann. Currently the most reliable spinner in world cricket.

Quite a weak list with Warne and Murali no longer in the game (and Kumble). The likes of Swann, Harbhajan, Hauritz, Vettori and co are all solid bowlers, but will all end with career averages hovering above the 30 mark.

Only Mendis has the slight chance of becoming something special, even if he is going backwards currently.

 

[Somerset]

Quite a weak list with Warne and Murali no longer in the game (and Kumble). The likes of Swann, Harbhajan, Hauritz, Vettori and co are all solid bowlers, but will all end with career averages hovering above the 30 mark.

You've replicated my first thoughts on the poll - even someone like Stuart MacGill who'd be included alongside the big three of Warne, Murali and Kumble in the early-mid 2000s would gain more votes than the current lot IMO. I voted Swann over Harbhajan based on recent form (given the poll does ask for the best spinner today) though would give Harbhajan credit for his performances in test cricket over a more prolonged period.

 

[andyc]

Yeah right now it's probably Swann, but overall I'd take Harby, given that he's much more proven.

Vettori and Shakib added to the poll, btw.

 

[Fiji-Bati]

Swann easily the current best with Bhajji being my second choice. He was going through a bit of a rough patch at the start of the year and he does often get criticised after one or two poor matches yet he continues to silence his critics and continues to show his class with the ball.

 

[Athlai]

Vettori because I'm counting T20s and ODIs as being equally important.

 

[Shri]

I would vote for Shakib. Has to bowl to better test teams all the time and he has done exceptionally well for a bowler from Bangladesh. Only bowler who shows consistency in the side.

 

[Faisal1985]

OMG! Now why would Vettori get only 2 votes???????? What has Swann done that is better then Vettori?

 

[Athlai]

I would vote for Shakib. Has to bowl to better test teams all the time and he has done exceptionally well for a bowler from Bangladesh. Only bowler who shows consistency in the side.

Yeah was pretty tempted to vote Shakib.

 

[Noble One]

OMG! Now why would Vettori get only 2 votes???????? What has Swann done that is better then Vettori?

Even the biggest Vettori fan would admit he has been off the mark with the ball for the past couple of years in Test cricket (when New Zealand play).

 

[Faisal1985]

Even the biggest Vettori fan would admit he has been off the mark with the ball for the past couple of years in Test cricket (when New Zealand play).

Tbh, haven't seen much of Vettori or Swann recently..other then Vettori bowling against Pak...which was quite ordinary.....but still think Vettori's class as a spinner > Swann...

 

[Jono]

Swann is a much better test bowler than Vettori.

 

[Faisal1985]

20 tests to 100 tests..?? 325 test wickets to 91 test wickets...yes Swann has a slightly better average and reasonably better S/R ....but talk to me when he is closing in on 100 tests after going through rough times and bad form patches..20 tests not nearly enough to give that verdict....

For me its Vettori and Harbhajan are top ranking spinners...and Swann comes third...

 

[Noble One]

20 tests to 100 tests..?? 325 test wickets to 91 test wickets...yes Swann has a slightly better average and reasonably better S/R ....but talk to me when he is closing in on 100 tests after going through rough times and bad form patches..20 tests not nearly enough to give that verdict....

For me its Vettori and Harbhajan are top ranking spinners...and Swann comes third...

You appear to be confusing overall who has had the better career with currently who is the in-form bowler in Test cricket.

The same logic you argue would mean Johnson is the far superior bowler to Aamer. When clearly anyone would have Aamer in their first XI over Johnson right now.

 

[Sir Alex]

You appear to be confusing overall who has had the better career with currently who is the in-form bowler in Test cricket.

The same logic you argue would mean Johnson is the far superior bowler to Aamer. When clearly anyone would have Aamer in their first XI over Johnson right now.

And whom has Swann "dominated" to be considered "in form" bowler? Bangladesh? West Indies? He was not great against Australia. Nor against India.

 

[Faisal1985]

You appear to be confusing overall who has had the better career with currently who is the in-form bowler in Test cricket.

The same logic you argue would mean Johnson is the far superior bowler to Aamer. When clearly anyone would have Aamer in their first XI over Johnson right now.

fair enough...

But the post above my post didn't say atm...or today...it simply says Swann is better then Vettori....

As per the thread you are right Swann is in good form (even though i haven't watched much of him) and Vettori was fairly below par recently of what i saw during Pak tour, therefore, today Swann may be picked over Vettori for what i see but that doesn't change the possibility of Swann going through a rough patch on his way to a 100 tests...that is a big achievement for Vettori.....next in line for me is Harbhajan..

 

[vcs]

Placed my vote for Swann. Currently the most reliable spinner in world cricket.

Quite a weak list with Warne and Murali no longer in the game (and Kumble). The likes of Swann, Harbhajan, Hauritz, Vettori and co are all solid bowlers, but will all end with career averages hovering above the 30 mark.

Only Mendis has the slight chance of becoming something special, even if he is going backwards currently.

Agreed on all counts.

Vettori's my personal favourite of them all, but I'd have to pick Swann.

 

[Migara]

Swann and Shakib are on par. Harbhajan may be third if only form is considered.

Have a funny feeling that Suleiman Benn is going to get some where up there. And Raymon Price is not laying test crickt ATM, and will walk in to any side as the 2nd spinner.

Ajmal needs more tests, and I feel he's the classiest of all spinners playing today.

 

[BoyBrumby]

In pure bowling terms I'd probably have Harby. However, were I selecting a World XI to take on the Martians the batting prowess of Vettori or Swann would hold sway. There's probably a thread there in itself actually; the batting of spinners seems more important than that of their seam-up confreres for whatever reason.
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Looking at the list it makes me wonder where all the wrist spinners have gone too. Kaneria still keeping the flame alive, but obviously not in prime nick if the evidence of his recent tests is anything to go by.

 

[andyc]

Not as if Harby can't hit a ball, TBF. Seem to remember Australia especially being on the receiving end of a few of his knocks.

 

[Athlai]

All-Round Stats since the World Cup in Tests

Pretty interesting to note that of bowlers with 50 wickets since then only Murali averages less than 30. Vettori and Shakib also have some pretty healthy all-rounder stats. I'd personally take Vettori in most world XI's simply for what he offers with the willow.