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Steyn versus Anderson

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posted on 19/8/14

Styen will go down as one of the greats. Amazing bowler on all surfaces and all conditions.

Jimmy is a good bowler but needs conditions to suit him to even look close to Styen's class. The fact that he's finally broken the sub 30 run average despite playing most of his cricket in England show's that he does not even come close.

posted on 19/8/14

Steyn is this generations legend. Probably an all time great by the time he retires. He is one bowler who is leaps ahead of others. Not many cricketers in genersl can say that. Infact there is no cricketer in the world that can say that. Steyn gets respects from everyone. I dont think anderson would get that sort of respect.

posted on 19/8/14

As the article says you always compare anderson with steyn. Never the other way round

posted on 19/8/14

I would really like to see Eng prepare the same pitches like these when they face SA and Aus. I remember they produced some flat tracks against SA and still lost and some real slow turners for Australia.

Englands strength is what they produced against India but they seem to be reluctant to produce such pitches for Australia and SA.

posted on 19/8/14

even jimmy himself says there is no comparison.

comment by BO$$™ (U6401)

posted on 19/8/14

I remember this debate came up when the SA vs Eng series was about to take place (last year i think in england) Styen tore england a new one while Jimmy wimpered along.

Jimmy has bowled very well this summer but remember hardly any of these indian batters have played in england before and they are not used to the swinging ball.

When the ball doesnt swing Jimmy is as limp as an old man trying to bang the mrs.

And are people forgetting how poor he was during he ashes down under?

posted on 19/8/14

The only debates worth having is whether Anderson is better than either Johnson or Harris. Styen has been in a league of his own for well over 5 years.

posted on 19/8/14

TBH there is no point of even comparing. Its a childish thing to do. As long as a particular player is doing well enough for his team it matters less if he is better or worse than player z

posted on 19/8/14

Anderson says Steyn is better - that's enough for me, however I SHALL throw an argument with statistics.

Steyn is SA primary weapon, and an exceptionally good weapon, but look at the rest of the bowlers returns and you see why he takes more wickets per match for instance... Because he HAS to. It is a similar discussion as Murali, he took so many wickets because no other Sri Lankan could take them.

In the 4 pronged attack of Harmison Anderson Flintoff an Jones against Australia for instance Anderson wasn't getting lots of wickets because they were being shared around.

posted on 19/8/14

Well, not sure about that, his strike rate is still very good.

I will say however that most teams batting have been very poor these last few years with only SA and Eng really improving on the batting line ups they had 10 years ago.

IMHO Ryan Harris would be up there with him had it not been for injuries, but for me he is the only bowler who comes close.

Even if you check Steyn's stats excluding the weaker teams his average is still about 25 with a S/R of 46, in the last 10 years there has only been one bowler with a better average against the top teams, McGrath who averaged just under 21 with a S/R of about 50.

posted on 19/8/14

Pace bowler*

posted on 19/8/14

comment by Addisons_a_Monster (U13678)
posted 4 minutes ago
Anderson says Steyn is better - that's enough for me, however I SHALL throw an argument with statistics.

Steyn is SA primary weapon, and an exceptionally good weapon, but look at the rest of the bowlers returns and you see why he takes more wickets per match for instance... Because he HAS to. It is a similar discussion as Murali, he took so many wickets because no other Sri Lankan could take them.

In the 4 pronged attack of Harmison Anderson Flintoff an Jones against Australia for instance Anderson wasn't getting lots of wickets because they were being shared around.
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You mean Styen has only had a chance to bowl with bowlers like Morkal, Kallis, Philander and made his debut when Pollock and Ntini were the top dogs for SA?

He has had to play for a team without a spin bowler holding up one end. The guy is a machine. If he stays fit he will surpass McGrath and Walsh in terms of test wickets.

posted on 19/8/14

I'm saying that the statistics cannot be taken as purely face value.

For instance if Anderson had been first change bowler in 2011 then he would have taken less wickets. Pollock was an exceptional bowler but by the time Steyn arrived I'll wager 50p he wasn't taking the wickets he had been.

posted on 19/8/14

He has had to play for a team without a spin bowler holding up one end. The guy is a machine. If he stays fit he will surpass McGrath and Walsh in terms of test wickets.

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Aye, true, he's an unbelievable talent. Not sure how he's going to get on if his pace does drop though.

posted on 19/8/14

You mean Styen has only had a chance to bowl with bowlers like Morkal, Kallis, Philander and made his debut when Pollock and Ntini were the top dogs for SA?

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If I'm honest I'm not sure if I really rate Morkel or Ntini. Fact is, quite a lot of the best bowlers have been part of a decent attack, for me this actually makes Murali's achievements even more impressive. Sure you may have to "share" the wickets around but if you have good bowlers backing you up you will be bowling to unsettled and tail end batsmen more often.

posted on 19/8/14

comment by Addisons_a_Monster (U13678)
posted 26 minutes ago
I'm saying that the statistics cannot be taken as purely face value.

For instance if Anderson had been first change bowler in 2011 then he would have taken less wickets. Pollock was an exceptional bowler but by the time Steyn arrived I'll wager 50p he wasn't taking the wickets he had been.
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Styen made his debut in 2004 and Pollock retired in 2009. He took and surpassed the mantle of one top top bowler but has had a good unit to support him.

Kallis almost 300 wickets
Morkal 200 plus and counting
Philander 100 plus at an average of 20

posted on 19/8/14

Duncan is Harris still doubtful for UAE?

posted on 19/8/14

Team physio has already ruled him out.

posted on 19/8/14

Ahh so Johnson, Siddle and Pattinson? Still a strong bowling lineup. Hopefully we will produce slow turning tracks.

posted on 19/8/14

I'd expect we'll see Johnson, Siddle and Pattinson as the 3 first choice seamers.

posted on 19/8/14

Also look out of Steve O'Keefe finally getting a chance in the test squad. Guy only has about 128 wickets at sub 25 in the Shield and has been constantly overlooked because apparently he has a poor attitude.

Obviously Bryce McGain, Xavier Doherty, Michael Beer ETC ETC ETC ETC are good picks because they are just poor cricketers.

posted on 19/8/14

Playing 2 spinners is defo the way forward. Lyon should do well considering how bad we fared against Herath in Sri Lanka. Our batsman for years have struggled against left arm spin and that's what Steve O'Keefe is.

I do expect our top order to be taken apart by Johnson too.

posted on 19/8/14

O'Keefe can also bat a bit as well. May see Doolan dropped and O'Keefe in his place.

posted on 20/8/14

What a great article, I think Anderson is a very good bowler who will probably get 450 test wickets, due to the matches he has played, and great skill, you don'tget 380 test wickets because you can't bowl. However, Steyn is an all time great already, stats prove that, he will push Mcgrath for the all time seamers wickets. Didn't agree with the article calling Anderson is on a par with Caddick. Jimmy... your an England great... Steyn... a worldie.

comment by BO$$™ (U6401)

posted on 20/8/14

Steyn is SA primary weapon, and an exceptionally good weapon, but look at the rest of the bowlers returns and you see why he takes more wickets per match for instance... Because he HAS to. It is a similar discussion as Murali, he took so many wickets because no other Sri Lankan could take them.
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Hahaha what a silly comment.

SA only lack a quality spinner they do however have the likes of Morkel, Philander and recently the Great Kallis who are all probably better than Jimmy.

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