Analysing the reasons why Dale Steyn is a better Test bowler than James Anderson

Numbers in winning cause

Anderson has won a lot of matches for team in the past

It doesn't matter how well you play, at the end of the day, winning the match for your team matters the most. Ask any player and he will tell you that a small contribution in a winning cause is always more satisfying than an outstanding performance in a losing cause.

Both these bowlers are proven match-winners for their respective teams, as they have won many matches single-handedly. Anderson's records in matches that were won by England are very impressive as he has accounted for 284 wickets in just 59 matches at an average of 20 and strike-rate of 43.

One might feel that this puts Anderson ahead of Steyn in this category. Unfortunately for the Englishman, Steyn's numbers are Bradmanesque Steynesque in matches won by South Africa. An average of 16 and a wicket every 31 balls are simply phenomenal for any bowler who has been a part of 44 matches, irrespective of the conditions.

With 291 wickets, Steyn has seven wickets more than the Englishman in spite of playing 15 matches fewer than him.

Verdict: Is it difficult to pick the better bowler between the two in a winning cause? No, it is as easy as picking the better club in European Cups between Arsenal and Real Madrid. Once again, Steyn has the upper hand in this category.