Top 100 test bowlers countdown

[DrWolverine]

Donald's numbers are quite impressive.

Except career; only 3 were ranked less than 15 in all 4 categories(overall, peak, non-home and top opposition)
Malcolm Marshall
Allan Donald
Dale Steyn

 

[Coronis]

Donald's numbers are quite impressive. Few days back I said that his record maybe slightly light compared to other ATGs. I'm again forced to reconsider my view on that.

Almost as impressive as Rabada.

 

[Two short legs]

Almost as impressive as Rabada.

I think it's noteworthy that while Donald played for the South Africa XI against the rebel Australians in 1986/87 at the age of 20, he had to wait until 1991/92 to make his Test debut, due to South Africa's isolation.

In summary, circumstances beyond his control cost him 5 years of Test cricket, with obvious effects on his development and career record.

 

[Coronis]

I think it's noteworthy that while Donald played for the South Africa XI against the rebel Australians in 1986/87 at the age of 20, he had to wait until 1991/92 to make his Test debut, due to South Africa's isolation.

In summary, circumstances beyond his control cost him 5 years of Test cricket, with obvious effects on his development and career record.

On the flip side, it also means he didn’t have those 5 years early in his career where he may not have performed that well whilst still developing as a pace bowler in those early years. We’ll never know.

 

[Days of Grace]

DoGgo, awesome stuff as always. One of the great contributors.

Thanks mate. I missed your commentary, rants, and bants in these threads.

 

[Burgey]

Yeah, it was doubtless a grim time for the forum, and tbh looking over some of the threads from the past three months, standards have certainly dropped (yourself excepted, of course).

 

[Two short legs]

On the flip side, it also means he didn’t have those 5 years early in his career where he may not have performed that well whilst still developing as a pace bowler in those early years. We’ll never know.

He hit the ground running in 1991 at the age of 25, and was great in Australia in 91/92 and 93/94. So I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Coronis]

He hit the ground running in 1991 at the age of 25, and was great in Australia in 91/92 and 93/94. So I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt.

Exactly… he hit the ground running at 25. Plenty of the ATG’s had crap records before they were 25. Marshall, McGrath, Hadlee, Imran, Anderson… even Ambrose wasn’t all that hot either. No way of knowing which way he would’ve gone at international level at that age.

 

[DrWolverine]

 

[DrWolverine]

My guess is Allan Donald would have finished with 400-450 wickets and a much better reputation.

 

[Coronis]

My guess is Allan Donald would have finished with 400-450 wickets and a much better reputation.

Or he could’ve been considered a better Ishant Sharma or a shortened career James Anderson.