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Who is the most skillful bowler?
- Thread starter vidiq
- Start date
Thala_0710
International Captain
I don't think there's much of difference in pace a few years back but he's certainly a few clicks slower now. But I don't necessarily agree on the enforcer ability part. However I still edge it to Marshall although one could go either way.
Johan
Hall of Fame Member
Exactly my thoughts
Marshall did have reverse swing and was excellent at it.
Bumrah feels quicker than the speed gun as he releases the ball like a half a yard further past the crease than other bowlers thanks to his unusual bowling action
smash84
The Tiger King
What cricket were you watching that nobody else was?
Thala_0710
International Captain
The second point is true.
The first point is the first I'm ever hearing of it.
shortpitched713
Cricketer Of The Year
Bumrah is helluva skilled, and on the shorter end for pace bowlers. Don't want to pick him yet though, because we'll see how he deals with aging (which is another opportunity where more "skillful" play can shine).
Generally shorter bowlers of a certain quality bracket are more skilled than the taller bowlers in that same bracket, who can rely on the more favorable angle of bounce due to higher release point. Hate to stereotype, but that's just how it is shorter bowlers just have to "do more".
So for me, that puts Marshall and Steyn right at the top, and it checks out. They could control and do just about everything with the ball, especially in the air for Steyn with his ability to swing both conventionally and reverse. Would count them both as even, but as Steyn (or even Styne for that matter) has no votes, I'm going with him.
Generally shorter bowlers of a certain quality bracket are more skilled than the taller bowlers in that same bracket, who can rely on the more favorable angle of bounce due to higher release point. Hate to stereotype, but that's just how it is shorter bowlers just have to "do more".
So for me, that puts Marshall and Steyn right at the top, and it checks out. They could control and do just about everything with the ball, especially in the air for Steyn with his ability to swing both conventionally and reverse. Would count them both as even, but as Steyn (or even Styne for that matter) has no votes, I'm going with him.
SillyCowCorner1
Moooo
Other: EbaGOAT
Here are two mentions of Marshall and reverse. One is from Holding
"I stuck to conventional swing, but Malcolm Marshall was a great exponent of reverse swing. He would hide the ball with his other palm when he ran in to bowl so that batsmen wouldn't pick him."
There is nothing illegal about reverse swing: Michael Holding | New Zealand in India 2016 News - Times of India
New Zealand in India 2016 News: Michael Holding, nicknamed 'Whispering Death' for his smooth and quiet run-up to the stumps, spoke to TOI on the art of swing, both conventional and r
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
"He got considerable lateral movement and swung the new ball and learnt to reverse swing the old one. "
Sliferxxxx
State Vice-Captain
Well f me, for all the years I'd been following cricket, I never read either article. Thanks for the info.Here are two mentions of Marshall and reverse. One is from Holding
"I stuck to conventional swing, but Malcolm Marshall was a great exponent of reverse swing. He would hide the ball with his other palm when he ran in to bowl so that batsmen wouldn't pick him."
There is nothing illegal about reverse swing: Michael Holding | New Zealand in India 2016 News - Times of India
New Zealand in India 2016 News: Michael Holding, nicknamed 'Whispering Death' for his smooth and quiet run-up to the stumps, spoke to TOI on the art of swing, both conventional and r
"He got considerable lateral movement and swung the new ball and learnt to reverse swing the old one. "
kyear2
Hall of Fame Member
That is just simply not true.
kyear2
Hall of Fame Member
Bumrah was indeed quick, Marshall was express for quite a bit there. He also could threaten the batsman's well being in a way I don't think Bumrah could.
smash84
The Tiger King
I am speaking in context though. Wasim was literally called the "sultan of swing". You can also call McGrath a master of dsong though. He could also swing the ball. And he could also reverse swing it. But neither McGrath nor Marshall were known for their swing bowling compared to Wasim.
kyear2
Hall of Fame Member
I knew he took up reverse nearer to the end of his career, but I don't recall it being a feature of his earlier peak. Of course I could be wrong and it's not something that I would have picked up tbh.
sayon basak
International Coach
Sure, what's your point?
vidiq
State Regular
He is the most skillful bowler.
subshakerz
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
It's pretty odd to say someone is the most skilled at an art but not the most effective at it.
McGrath wasn't better at getting wickets using swing than Wasim.
Skill= talent/ability at something plus effectiveness.
sayon basak
International Coach
That's not a bad pick tbh. Most of his normal deliveries seem unhittable; even if the batter connects it, the ball just lofts up in the air.
subshakerz
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Bumrahs skill level in his most recent peak 2023/2024 is remarkable. Probably the best wrist with swing I have seen. Complete control of inswing and outswing from the same action. Able to accelerate without noticeable action change too. Gets the ball to curve in the air late of a back of a length delivery even on flat tracks. Terrific use of the crease. Fast swinging yorker.
I don't see a big difference as far as ability with Wasim. Wasim was better at reverse and maybe late swing but Bumrah seems more intelligent in setting batsmen up.