With the Ashes looming, there has been much discussion about Australia’s ‘big four’ fast bowlers: Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, James Pattinson, and Mitchell Starc.
With only three likely to play, the inevitable result is people trying to rank these players in terms of quality.
Assuming all are fit and in reasonable form, I have attempted to do this as objectively as possible.
Experience and records
The most experienced of the bunch is Starc, who has played 36 Tests and taken 148 wickets at 28.35, with a good strike rate of 49.6.
However, this is sullied by a checkered start to his Test career, in which he was dropped from the team a number of times. Since being selected full-time, Starc has averaged a healthier 26.34 and taken 107 wickets at the excellent strike rate of 45.84.
Next comes Hazlewood. In 31 matches, he has taken 118 wickets at 25.35, with a strike rate of 55.5. He is currently the highest ranked Australian bowler (No.5 in the ICC Test rankings).
While having a better average than Starc, Hazlewood has a noticeably higher strike rate. However, this simply demonstrates their differing roles within the team; Hazlewood’s economy rate of 2.78 is the lowest of the four, and demonstrates his worth as a containing bowler.
Pattinson has played 17 Tests over five years, in a career hampered by significant back injuries. However, he has taken an impressive 70 wickets at 26.15, with a strike rate of 46.84. Nevertheless, his back continues to affect the big Victorian’s performances.
But Pattinson should not complain to Pat Cummins.
After taking a fiver-for on debut in 2011, Cummins has only managed five Test matches, and 13 first-class matches. Of those five Tests, the last four have been in Asian conditions, far from ideal for a fast bowler.
Nevertheless, Cummins has achieved an impressive 21 wickets at 25.8, with the strike rate of 52.5 – an excellent return for games in mostly in India and Bangladesh.
Cummins was bowled heavily in these recent matches, which suggests his body may have finally adapted to the workload.
He has frightening potential.
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Other factors
Traditionally, Australia has preferred to field a team with two strike bowlers and one pressure-builder. This all but guarantees Hazlewood a spot.
His economy is the best of the four, and his persistent line and length are valuable in building bowling partnerships. Combining this with his record and international ranking, Hazlewood is comfortably in the top three.
Of particular note is his opening partnership with Starc – a combination that takes a wicket every 40.18 balls, giving them the best-ever strike rate for an opening partnership (minimum of 100 wickets), leading Jason Gillespie to claim that the duo will be Australia’s greatest opening pair.
So Starc is also a must for the opening Tests. Combined with his excellent strike rate and experience, Starc also comfortably fits in the team.
The final place comes down to Cummins and Pattinson, who are both an injury risk, making it important to pick the bowler most likely to remain fit.
This player is Cummins. His performance in India and Bangladesh show he is ready.
Pattinson’s early success was based on a bowling style which his back could not sustain. To remedy this, he remodelled his action in 2014, but the resulting form was less than ideal.
Returning against the West Indies in December 2015, Pattinson took no wickets in the first innings, which he bowled with his renewed style. Frustrated, he famously reverted to his old style and took five wickets in the second innings.
Sticking with this action through the remainder of the series and into the following tour of New Zealand, it once again led to his downfall due to injury.
It remains unclear whether Pattinson can bowl effectively with a new style, or not be injured with the old. Until that time, he is at the bottom of the big four, which to me is therefore ranked: Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins, Pattinson.
Cummins, however, has the potential to be on top before long.
Don Freo
Guest
Batting? I was talking about the difference between keeping and bowling. No wonder you don't understand. We don't discuss batting where Wade is concerned. He is simply the worst batting keeper available. If you quote averages, quote recent batting, not his career. His batting has degenerated to SOK levels..."he once was..."
qwetzen
Guest
Respectfully Don Freoleone this is a bit of nonsense. One keeper *can* catch the ball better than another and one keeper *is* more likely to take half-chances than another. And while one bowler "can propel the ball better than another", if there's a tiny difference in their bowling averages then why doesn't a significant difference in their batting averages get taken into account?
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
I think they can work on things to improve actions that can cause less injuries. But if they are going to do that they really should be doing it as 15 year olds, not 25 year olds.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Yes they do. Though that doesn't necessarily mean the levels are similar. Often in a multi-division thing with promotion relegation there can be a massive jump between the top 2 divisions. I think there's probably less difference here than in some other sports, (eg it's still all considered first class cricket. It's not like in being relegated to division 2 you are now playing the level below first class cricket) but I'm sure that overall you'd have to find playing division 2 would mean you'd face at least slightly weaker opposition than playing division 1.
Simon
Guest
A more accurate version of this is 1. Chadd Sayers 2. The rest
qwetzen
Guest
Rellum, I'd be happy if we avoided the spoon...
DavSA
Guest
He has been targeting the upcoming India test series all along as a return . Is starting to play domestic stuff again in the very near future .....But yes Edward he has been remarkably injury free through a long career and looks like the frame is creaking now. I am really hoping he can hold it together for the Indians and Australia next year . Both going to be big uns. Then I give " The Phalaborwa Express " full permission to retire .....All good things must end.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Johnson was the next big thing for a good long while. The whole story of Lillie unearthing him was his legend for awhile. I guess if you only followed the Aus team he was unheard off, or maybe it was just a QLD thing but he was definitely know.
The Bush
Roar Guru
Edwards, Handscombe is only two years younger than Smith. Unless something bizarre happens over the next five odd years, I can't see him being captain. Even M Marsh is the wrong age, only three years younger than Smith. Considering issues with injuries and that he bowls, it's hard to see M Marsh having a career longer than Smith (again though, you never know). Of the current players, only Renshaw (if he proves up to it) is comfortably young enough to suggest they'll play long term under a captain after Smith.
Don Freo
Guest
What a petulant Pommy argument! Is that a come back? Marsh is not even in the national side. What does he have to do with English selection?
George
Guest
Marsh? Pfft.
George
Guest
Batting at 11, picked for his 'potential' and perceived leadership skills/nepotism. Gotta get your dud in there somehow huh?
George
Guest
Indeed.
George
Guest
'Australia would like Woakes in at six'. Well, as an alternative to your favourite Mitch Marsh, Don, I suspect so... Note, I said 'possibly'. Point being that Woakes is a very good No.8/9. Woakes probably has a better technique than half of England's current top six. He has a higher first-class batting average (and lower bowling average) than Stokes - who does bat in the top six.
Don Freo
Guest
Head is the most likely. He is a better batsman than Handscomb too. Mitch has done well as captain whenever he has done it. The first few games just as a batsman might be the making of him.
The Bush
Roar Guru
The fact that Johnson was almost unheard and didn't break into the test team until 2007 (at the age of 26 I think) is due to all those injuries he had early on. But from the moment he broke into the side, I don't remember him spending any prolonged periods on the side lines (though I'm sure he did, he was only human)... except through being dropped. In fact Johnson has been held up by many as an example of how we need to show patience with Cummins - Johnson hadn't played anywhere near all the top level cricket Cummins has by his age. But at the same time Johnson is an example of why Pattinson might never make it. At 27 and still breaking down, his body might not be up to it.
Don Freo
Guest
Pretty obvious, Q. All a keeper has to do is take the chances offered. One can't catch the ball better. They either catch or drop. One bowler, however, can propel the ball better than another.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Yes, he is just a naturalized QLDer, not born and bred. I kind of weirds me out when Uzzi is called a QLDer. Calling someone form NSW a QLDer is just not right. But hopefully he puts on 500 runs this year and helps us win the Shield.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Johnson was anything but sturdy until late on. The sports science people say that fast bowlers are fragile until the age of 24. I still think they are put in cotton wool far too much. Lille thinks so, so do some medical specialists. It is still an area of much debate. I am assuming that is a joke on the Vego thing.
Nudge
Guest
South Australian thanks. The only decent one we've had since Dizzy