Which is the best pace bowling performance of an overseas bowler in India?

[Harsh Thakor]

It has always been a challenge for an overseas pace bowler to adapt to the pancakes on the sub-continent.Unlike in England the conditions are not conducive to move the ball through the air and unlike Australia or West Indies there is minimal pace or bounce that can be obtained by a bowler.Some completely failed on the sub-continent with legend Dennis Lillee being the best example.

 

My best memories of great spells by overseas pacemen are of Andy Roberts,Ian Botham,Malcolm Marshall, Michael Holding Courtney Walsh ,Lance Kluesener and Dale Steyn.

 

These are my choices in order of merit

 

1.Ian Botham 7-49 and 6-58 in the 1980 Jubilee test at Mumbai

 

Gave one of the most superlative exhibitions of seam bowling on a helpful track displaying mastery of the weaknesses of opponents .Sustained combination of pace and movement with accuracy and control at its highest depth.I have rarely seen a cricketer look more in charge.

 

2.Malcolm Marshal  4-19 and 4-47 at Kanpur in 1983-84

 

Rarely witnessed such a blitzkreig on a cricket field like a greek god exuding fire or a tank charging in..Displayed the agression of a lion with slithering bounce at a phenomenal pace.One of the most phenomenal strikes with the new ball displaying mastery in skidding a ball  to create the most lethal bounce.Rarely have I seen batsmen look so perplexed ,including Sunil Gavaskar.

 

 

3.Andy Roberts 7-64 at Madras in 1975-75

 

For sheers skill could join the Gods of Olympus blending speed,control and movement in perfect proportion.

 

 

4.Patrick Paterson 5-24 at Delhi in 1987-88

 

Reminiscent of a bomber destroying an airbase bowling faster than any West Indian pacemen ever in India.Fury and agression written on his face.

 

 

5.Dale Steyn 7-51 at Nagpur in 2010

 

Took the skill of pace bowling to its highest zenith blending the skill of an architect with the power of a bulldozer.Destroyed a very strong batting line up.Superb blending of pace and movement revealing all the attributes of a perfect pacemen.

 

 

6.Malcolm Marshall 6-37 at Kolkata in 1983-94.

 

Literally blew the top of te Indian batsmen like a missile destroying an enemy base.Whirlwind pace.

 

 

7.Courtney Walsh 6-79 at Mumbai in 1994-95

 

Not express pace but displayed skill of a surgeon .Moved the ball deceptively and prodigiously and also created disconcerting bounce.

 

 

8.Lance Kluesner 8-64 in 1996 at Kolkata

 

Mastery of movement extracting the conditions of a deteriorating pitch.

 

 

9.Michael Holding 5-102 at Mumbai in 1983-84 and 3-29 at Kolkata

 

Not at his fastest but resembled a re-incarnated Andy Roberts displaying subtle variations and changes of pace on a flat track. at Mumbai.For sheer skill to me surapassed even Marshall but not as impactful.In the 2nd inings at Kolkata broke the backbone of Indian top order including scalps of Gavaskar and Amarnath  tom pave way for Marshall to rip through the tail.

 

11 Andy Roberts 5-50 at Kolkata in 1974-75

 Masterly combination of pace w th control and swing.

 

 

12.Dale Steyn 5-23 at Ahmedabad in 2008

 

Performance of a true pace blowing machine superbly swerving  the ball at high pace.

 

 

Edited October 24, 2019 by Harsh Thakor

[Ankit_sharma03]

 

 

where is steyn 7 wkt haul 

 

 

[Harsh Thakor]

17 minutes ago, Ankit_sharma03 said:

 

 

where is steyn 7 wkt haul 

 

 

Very sorry for the error.Thanking you immensely.I have made the correction so see adjusted list.Like your opinion on it.

[Rightarmfast]

Harsh bhai, tu ek girlfriend bana le. Zindagi me badi shaanti rahegi. Bata raha hoon.

[maniac]

Gotta be Steyn. The 2008 and 2010 Indian batting line up was one of the greatest  batting line ups of all time and add to that hike conditions.

[tweaker]

Ian Botham 7-49 and 6-58 in the 1980 Jubilee test at Mumbai

 

Gave one of the most superlative exhibitions of seam bowling on a helpful track displaying mastery of the weaknesses of opponents .Sustained combination of pace and movement with accuracy and control at its highest depth.I have rarely seen a cricketer look more in charge.

 

 

He also scored a century in this test.He performed the rare feat of 10 wicket haul and century in the same test

Edited October 24, 2019 by tweaker

[raki05]

Meh to ur list........one nd only Majid.

[Vilander]

Steyn owns this thread.

[mani sha]

Forgetting kasprowicz? I think last 20 years him and steyn have bowled best in india

 

don’t forget shoaib - bowled well here against the best batsmen of his time 

[Harsh Thakor]

Steyn almost up there.Just not as devastating ,lethal or intimidating  as Marshall and Paterson or as innovative as Botham and Roberts.

[Harsh Thakor]

6 hours ago, mani sha said:

Forgetting kasprowicz? I think last 20 years him and steyn have bowled best in india

 

don’t forget shoaib - bowled well here against the best batsmen of his time 

Will re check thanks

[Harsh Thakor]

6 hours ago, mani sha said:

Forgetting kasprowicz? I think last 20 years him and steyn have bowled best in india

 

don’t forget shoaib - bowled well here against the best batsmen of his time 

Shoaib is from the sub-continent, so not morally overseas

[Harsh Thakor]

20 hours ago, tweaker said:

Ian Botham 7-49 and 6-58 in the 1980 Jubilee test at Mumbai

 

Gave one of the most superlative exhibitions of seam bowling on a helpful track displaying mastery of the weaknesses of opponents .Sustained combination of pace and movement with accuracy and control at its highest depth.I have rarely seen a cricketer look more in charge.

 

 

He also scored a century in this test.He performed the rare feat of 10 wicket haul and century in the same test

You said it Well done sir.

[Vilander]

22 hours ago, Harsh Thakor said:

Steyn almost up there.Just not as devastating ,lethal or intimidating  as Marshall and Paterson or as innovative as Botham and Roberts.

But what about Mmmajid khan ?