Who is the best fast bowler in test cricket now?

[f.b.m]

'Great', sure. 'Greatest; - perhaps not. Versatility ensures that even if you come to a point where you lose outright pace, you still can hold your own. Without versatility your effectiveness drops the moment you drop in sheer pace. Or even if you dont get a conducive surface. I did see evidence of one or two inswingers in this match from Steyn. But then as a bowler, anything can happen especially when the ball becomes older. I will wait to see if he can summon this with more control before saying that he has mastered the inswinger as well. For sure he becomes a venomous wicket taking machine if he adds that to his repertoire.

Agreed about that but versatility is a means to an end and not the end in itself. I say this wrt you saying Aamir was better because he could swing it both ways. Effectiveness comes first. Anyway, he is a venomous wicket taking machine already! Or rather he was before he started trying out inswingers.

[thevortex]

Agreed about that but versatility is a means to an end and not the end in itself. I say this wrt you saying Aamir was better because he could swing it both ways. Effectiveness comes first. Anyway, he is a venomous wicket taking machine already! Or rather he was before he started trying out inswingers.

Sure, mate. Success is the only common end in sport. All other aspects are simply the means. I still would say that I would prefer Aamer - not just because he can swing it both ways at pace. There are other factors as well - not the least being that he is left handed. But then that was all before spot fixing. I am no longer sure what to believe about those players. So, I will no longer compare Aamer with anybody... I am still curious to see Steyn develop genuine and consistent inswing. He may end up being even more successful than he is. And that can only be good for cricket.

[Zelig]

Steyn by a mile, followed by Zak and Anderson. Do watch out for Roach. If he keeps himself fit...in two years time, he could be the best. Anyone who saw him bowl on the lifeless SL wickies would know what I'm talking about.

[f.b.m]

Sure, mate. Success is the only common end in sport. All other aspects are simply the means. I still would say that I would prefer Aamer - not just because he can swing it both ways at pace. There are other factors as well - not the least being that he is left handed. But then that was all before spot fixing. I am no longer sure what to believe about those players. So, I will no longer compare Aamer with anybody... I am still curious to see Steyn develop genuine and consistent inswing. He may end up being even more successful than he is. And that can only be good for cricket.

Bümp again. It really doesn't matter whether someone swings the ball one, two or seven ways. Or whether someone is left handed or ambidextrous. As you said, success is the only common end. And it doesn't get more successful than 16 5 wicket hauls in 46 matches.

[thevortex]

Bümp again. It really doesn't matter whether someone swings the ball one, two or seven ways. Or whether someone is left handed or ambidextrous. As you said, success is the only common end. And it doesn't get more successful than 16 5 wicket hauls in 46 matches.

Sorry f.b.m thats not how it works. Nobody is denying that Steyn is a fantastic bowler. That he is. Adding more diversity will only help Steyn become even more fearsome. I dont think even you would deny that. Like it or not, sooner or later when Steyn's pace drops down a little his present mode of attack may not give the same results that he is getting right now. Swinging the ball both ways at high pace is a skill that any bowler would give anything for. End result - Steyn has my full appreciation and awe. But it is a moot argument that he does not need diversity in his bowling. He does. Just as Marshall did. Or Lillee did.

[Watson87]

Sreesanth

[CandyFloss]

Dale Steyn