5 cricketing nations with the best pace bowling attacks in Test history

Modified May 02, 2023 19:49 IST

South Africa v England - 3rd Test: Day 5 — Michael Holding was part of the West Indies' feared bowling attack

#2 Australia

The Australian success in Test cricket should be largely attributed to the rich crop of fast bowling legends they have produced over the years.

In the late 40’s and early 50’s, Ray Lindwall and Keith Miller were the first great fast bowling pair to come from Down Under. For most of the 50’s, Alan Davidson became their frontline seamer. The 60’s saw Graham McKenzie and Neil Hawke forming a good pace duo for the Aussies.

In the 70’s, Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thompson were the deadliest fast bowling pair. The Lillee-Thompson duo was all about creating havoc with their sheer pace. While Lillee was known to bowl with a lot of aggression, Thompson with his slow slinging action hurled the ball with express pace. The Australians had a galaxy of fast bowling greats in Rodney Hogg, Geoff Lawson, Terry Alderman and Max Walker.

In the late 80’s, the Australians had yet another potent fast bowling pair in Merv Hughes and Craig McDermott. Hughes with his big moustache, extracted good pace and bounce on the seamer friendly wickets Down Under. Craig McDermott was more of a rhythm bowler who bowled with a lot of aggression. The likes of Simon O’Donnell, Bruce Ried and Carl Rackemann were the other quality seamers around during that time.

Glen McGrath would be hailed as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time. McGrath was an epitome of line and length bowling. He was relentless outside the corridor of uncertainty and often had the batsman edging one to the keeper. The “Pigeon” bowled with pin point accuracy and was rewarded for his remarkable consistency. In the 90’s, he was ably supported by quality seamers in Damien Fleming, Paul Reiffel, Michael Kasprowicz and Andy Bichel.

In the late 90’s, Jason Gillespie played the perfect foil to McGrath. Gillespie bowled some outswingers and extracted bounce of any surface. Meanwhile Brett Lee brought in that element of speed to the Aussie bowling attack. Lee tormented the best batsmen with his express pace. He had a wonderful approach to the crease and followed it up with a beautiful action.

Mitchell Johnson with serious pace was an outright strike bowler. Johnson, though, a touch inconsistent, bowled some match winning spells courtesy his raw pace and hostile short pitch bowling. Shaun Tait was menacingly quick but erratic as well. He was used in short bursts as a wicket taking bowler.

After the golden generation of Aussie seamers retired, a couple of decent pacer bowlers emerged onto the scene. Stuart Clarke was a fine exponent of line and length bowling. Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus were great swing bowlers in their own merit. Meanwhile Nathan Bracken was an outstanding limited overs bowler.

Among the current crop, Mitchell Starc looks to be their best swing bowler. The left arm seamer bowls good lines and has a brilliant inswinger to trap the best batsmen. Jos Hazelwood looks to be more in the McGrath mould with his consistent lines around the off stump. Meanwhile James Pattinson and Pat Cummins have the ability to rack up some serious pace.

Australian Test Bowlers with 100 or more wickets

Bowler

Matches

Wickets

Glen McGrath

124

563

Dennis Lillee

355

Mitchell Johnson

313

Brett Lee