Top 5 test pace bowlers at the moment?

[breeno]

I agree with you MC, but today we saw something different from Lee. He was rolling his fingers to bowl a Leg cutter, and only got one wicket but nearly had 3, it certainly worked for him and he got a little bit of pace back 143km/h +.

If he can keep this adjusting up he may prolong his career a few years longer, Id like to see him do this more often but I don't know whether he will.

[Ljp86]

Originally Posted by D.K

Might be harsh but I reckon that Lee is past it. ONly 12 months ago he was up there as the number 1 paceman, now struggles to get it up over 145. That is how he got his wickets, with the pace. hardly moves it.

Originally Posted by mas cambios

To move off topic for a post and talk about Lee.

It seems that age (and possibly previous injuries) is catching up with him, hence the reduction in top speed (and being able to sustain it for any length of time). As others have said pace is his main weapon; without it he is nothing more than a decent bowler.

You'd have thought that he'd be working on moving the ball both in the air and off the seam as this would be really effective at his current pace and more than likely prolong his career a good few years. The difference between Lee and the true great fast men is that the greats adapted their bowling as they got older, Lee hasn't done that for me at the moment.

His wife leaving him wouldn't have helped either. I think he needs to given some more time to assess where he's really at. The breakdown of his marriage was rather public and it has obviously had an effect on his performances (which it generally would with any player). This all happened immediately before the tour of India began so it wasn't at a great time for him.

Lee's only had one bad series and the series against South Africa is not even a test old. Writing him off after small period of downturn is a little harsh.

My order would be this:

1. Steyn
2. Zaheer Khan
3. Ntini
4. Johnson
5. O'Brien

I don't rate Sharma. O'Brien's last 30 wickets have cost 20.47 (20.4666 recurring) per wicket.

[schwab2clarkson]

Originally Posted by mas cambios

To move off topic for a post and talk about Lee.

It seems that age (and possibly previous injuries) is catching up with him, hence the reduction in top speed (and being able to sustain it for any length of time). As others have said pace is his main weapon; without it he is nothing more than a decent bowler.

You'd have thought that he'd be working on moving the ball both in the air and off the seam as this would be really effective at his current pace and more than likely prolong his career a good few years. The difference between Lee and the true great fast men is that the greats adapted their bowling as they got older, Lee hasn't done that for me at the moment.

Don't forget that he's had a tough time lately. That can have a big impact on his life. He has to look after his son by himself now without his wife.... In other words you are barking up the wrong tree with Lee.
It is known that Brett Lee had a marriage break up during the year. If you don't believe that then I suggest that you go and get a copy of the ABC Cricket Magazine because there is a great article on Brett Lee and why he is going through such a tough time....

Now back on topic.

My top 5 test bowlers at the moment
1. Lee
2. Johnson
3. Khan
4. Singh
5. Flintoff

[bundybullz08]

Top 5 bowlers...

1.Steyn
2.Johnson
3.Sharma
4.Ntini
5.Stuart Clark

Thoughts?

[jimmy33]

To be honest, I would replace Clark and Ntini with Khan and Flintoff. For those two players, you really have to look passed stats. Flintoff is probably the most unlucky bowler in international cricket at the moment, but he does pick up team wickets (like the Yuvraj dismissal in the first Test). Khan is easily the greatest exponent of reverse swing in the modern game. Whenever he comes back on in about the 40th over, runs dry up and pressure builds. Although he has an average of over 30, he is so much better than that.

Just my thoughts.

[breeno]

Yepp I agree Flintoff in at number five and Khan in there somewhere.

Ntini and Clark/Johnson get the boot for me.

[bundybullz08]

Even though i haven't seen Flintoff to much lately...
i still rate Ntini n Clark much more than him.
Watching Ntini in the recent test match...
he got to speeds around the 150km/h
he uses the angles of the crease,(staying wide of the pitch or coming in)
and he gets alot of bounce(mybe that was the WACA pitch,not sure)

And Stuart Clark...
he stays on the same consistent line n length
rarely does he bowl a bad ball
around the 135 km/h mark
and can get some inswing along with the line n length...

[grapedo]

I would be taking Johnson out of all the lists for other such as:
Khan
Southee
Sidebottom
Ntini
Morkel
Vaas
Malinga
Kallis

who I rate higher than Johnson. I think the 11 wicket thing has really boosted his popularity i know it is not every day you take 11 wickets and he bowled well but I still rate these guys higher until Johnson can produce more good performances.

[the_socialite]

D.Steyn
S.Clark
R.Sidebottom
M.Ntini
M.Johnson/I.Sharma

[Storer]

Johnson to be second to Steyn. From here, I don't really care.