Top 5 West Indian Test bowlers (Part 1)
The West Indian cricket team is considered to be one of the strongest sides in world cricket, between the period of 1970 and 1990. Because of the likes of Sir Garfield Sobers, Lance http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Gibbs-c60021, Gordon Greenidge, George Headley, Clive Lloyd, Malcolm Marshall,
Andy Roberts and Everton Weekes, the Windies were at the top of their game. All of the above mentioned players are part of the ICC Hall of Fame fraternity as well.
The West Indian team won the ICC World Cup of 1975 and 1979 twice, and also won the ICC champions Trophy of 2004. However, the team did well in several other events in recent times as they were the semi finalists in the ICC World Cup T20 in 2009.
During the glory years of the 70-80’s, the national cricket team of West Indies was known for its four-man fast bowling attack, which was backed by world-class batsmen. However, their glory years started to decline in the beginning of the 1990’s as the team
at present is ranked by the ICC as 8th out of ten test playing countries.
Nevertheless, the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 had so many outstanding world class fast bowlers. Looking at the credentials of the top 5, it is very difficult to put them in chronological order. If three very important factors of being a world class test bowlers are kept
in mind, which are mainly, durability, speed and economical bowling, one will surely come up with these names, Malcolm Marshall, Courtney Walsh, Curtly Ambrose, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Joel-Garner-c67141 and Michael Holding. But the top 5 are also based on the number of wickets taken and
bowling averages.
Malcolm Marshall
Malcolm Marshall is arguably the greatest fast bowler West Indian cricket has ever produced; he had the combination of speed, unplayable line and length delivery. He was well known for his ability to bowl with fierce pace, swing, a vicious bouncer and plus
his ability to out think any batsmen.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Hampshire-c789
and Natal. Marshall was a world class test fast bowler, but he also developed a talent in batting as he scored a healthy of 10 half centuries, in the 81 test matches he played.
Marshall’s test bowling credential are beyond impressive, he has maintained a bowling average of 20.94 in the 81 test matches long career. He took a massive 376 wickets, with a best of 7 for 22. The veteran right-arm fast bowler has 22 five wickets hauls
and 4 ten wicket hauls in a match to his name. He also maintained an outstanding economy rate of 2.68, with a 46.7 bowling strike rate.
Marshall had all the right toys and knew how to play with them. He was filled with courage, stamina, and massive cricket intelligence. He had the ability to out-swing or in-swing from the middle of the pitch without showing his intent to batsmen. His most
dangerous weapon was the malicious bouncer skidding on to the batsman. Marshall had it all and surely deserves the number one position among the top 5 West Indian test bowlers.
Courtney Walsh
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Courtney-Andrew-Walsh-c51620 is one of the most durable bowlers in West Indian cricket history. He took the most test wickets among his former and fellow team mates. Walsh was not as quick as his fellow or senior bowling team-mates, but he surely had the best of
the batsmen troubled. He had the ability to bowl at a consistent line and length. His good length bowling, at his pace was something not well catered by the batsmen of his era.
Tags: