West Indies Cricket: Greatest Test XI of all time

#2 Fast bowlers

Two bowlers from the intimidating pace quartet feature in this playing eleven

Selecting just four specialist bowlers from a glittering and endless array of adroit options becomes a stiff ask. Staying true to the Caribbean's unrivalled legacy of pace bowling, four speedsters join hands to form a frightening unit. Considering that their penchant for generating stifling pace through the air often removed the pitch from the equation, they can wreak havoc on myriad pitches across the globe.

In what remains the greatest bowling attack ever assembled in Test cricket, the 'Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse' left the most resilient of batsmen shuddering in fear. Among those, two speedsters make this playing eleven while another pacer joins the squad.

With his smooth bowling action, Michael Holding evoked irrepressible awe among the connoisseurs. 'The Whispering Death' picked 249 wickets from 60 Tests at an average of 23.68 and strike-rate of 50.9 with 13 five-wicket hauls as well as two ten-wicket match hauls.

Armed with a colossal frame which helped him procure extra bounce from even docile tracks, Joel Garner instilled trepidation in the batsman's mind. He played 58 Tests and obtained 259 scalps at a tremendous average of 20.97 and strike-rate of 50.8 with seven five-wicket hauls.

While taller and quicker bowlers may have emerged after him, none of those have come close to knocking off Malcolm Marshall from the perch of the best bowler in Test history. A measured run-up as well as strong upper-body strength enabled him to move the ball at rapid pace. His profound tactical nous also played its part in helping him pick up 376 wickets at a resplendent average of 20.94 and eye-catching strike-rate of 46.7 with 22 five-wicket hauls and four ten-wicket match hauls.

From 98 Tests, Sir Curtly Ambrose accumulated 405 scalps at an excellent average of 20.99 and strike-rate of 54.5 with 22 five-wicket hauls and three ten-wicket match hauls. Devastating on pitches with variable bounce, he delivered numerous memorable triumphs for West Indies by scything through batting lineups with alarming frequency.