Line and Length
Well-known member
Sometimes a bowler is used for reasons such as tying up an end rather than as a wicket taking option. This is particularly applicable to the traditional, longer form, of cricket.
In Test cricket the Top Ten bowlers in terms of economy (minimum 10 Tests) are:
William Attewell (E) 1.31
Trevor Goddard (SA) 1.64
Bapu Nadkarni (I) 1.67
Bert Ironmonger (A) 1.69
John Watkins (SA) 1.74
Ken Mackay (A) 1.78
Anton Murray (SA) 1.79
Gerry Gomez (WI) 1.82
Polly Umrigar (I) 1.87
Dick Barlow (E) 1.87
Of these, Ironmonger had by far the best strike rate (63.44) ahead of Barlow (72.23) and Gomez (90.27)
Nadkarni holds the record for the most consecutive maidens in a Test when he had 21 in a row in his figures of 32-27-5-0
Barlow is interesting in that his batting was a 'exciting' as his bowling. Nicknamed "Stonewaller" he holds the world first-class record for the lowest score by a batsman carrying his bat. Against Nottinghamshire in 1882 he batted through the innings and made 5 not out when Lancashire were dismissed for 69.
Moving to ODIs, the economy rates are understandably higher than in Tests. Once again the 10 game minimum applies.
Joel Garner (WI) 3.09
Bob Willis (E) 3.28
Richard Hadlee (NZ) 3.30
Michael Holding (WI) 3.32
Simon Davies (A) 3.37
Andy Roberts (WI) 3.40
Curtley Ambrose (WI) 3.48
Malcolm Marshall (WI) 3.53
Angus Fraser (E) 3.54
Mike Whitney (A) 3.55
Of these, Roberts (35.89) has the best strike rate ahead of Garner (36.50) and Holding (38.54).
I find it significant that both lists are devoid of current or near current players. I wonder to what extent that is due to more user-friendly wickets and bat technology or to a different approach to to the game. I believe the latter might be the case in the ODIs but there can be no denying the quality of the quicks listed.
I'll leave this at this stage before venturing into T20 and the related economy rates and maidens.
In Test cricket the Top Ten bowlers in terms of economy (minimum 10 Tests) are:
William Attewell (E) 1.31
Trevor Goddard (SA) 1.64
Bapu Nadkarni (I) 1.67
Bert Ironmonger (A) 1.69
John Watkins (SA) 1.74
Ken Mackay (A) 1.78
Anton Murray (SA) 1.79
Gerry Gomez (WI) 1.82
Polly Umrigar (I) 1.87
Dick Barlow (E) 1.87
Of these, Ironmonger had by far the best strike rate (63.44) ahead of Barlow (72.23) and Gomez (90.27)
Nadkarni holds the record for the most consecutive maidens in a Test when he had 21 in a row in his figures of 32-27-5-0
Barlow is interesting in that his batting was a 'exciting' as his bowling. Nicknamed "Stonewaller" he holds the world first-class record for the lowest score by a batsman carrying his bat. Against Nottinghamshire in 1882 he batted through the innings and made 5 not out when Lancashire were dismissed for 69.
Moving to ODIs, the economy rates are understandably higher than in Tests. Once again the 10 game minimum applies.
Joel Garner (WI) 3.09
Bob Willis (E) 3.28
Richard Hadlee (NZ) 3.30
Michael Holding (WI) 3.32
Simon Davies (A) 3.37
Andy Roberts (WI) 3.40
Curtley Ambrose (WI) 3.48
Malcolm Marshall (WI) 3.53
Angus Fraser (E) 3.54
Mike Whitney (A) 3.55
Of these, Roberts (35.89) has the best strike rate ahead of Garner (36.50) and Holding (38.54).
I find it significant that both lists are devoid of current or near current players. I wonder to what extent that is due to more user-friendly wickets and bat technology or to a different approach to to the game. I believe the latter might be the case in the ODIs but there can be no denying the quality of the quicks listed.
I'll leave this at this stage before venturing into T20 and the related economy rates and maidens.