Australia and the West Indies make up two of the best Test teams ever. Who were their best XIs?
Australia: Glen McGrath-Shane Warne
The Spin King and Pigeon were the two most dangerous bowlers in world cricket. Over a thousand combined wickets to their name, proving they were most lethal combination in Test cricket.
An example of this is the 2005 Ashes series, which saw Warne and McGrath nearly single handedly win the fifth Test. With both almost pulling the impossible, only for dropped catches preventing an exciting finish on late-day five.
In addition to this one time where both showed why they are the best bowling combination is in 2002 in South Africa. South Africa were 1/89, then Warne and McGrath skittled them for 133 – taking the last nine wickets to win the match between them.
This is quite remarkable and shows how good these two combined. What makes this amazing combination is it McGrath’s accuracy and Warne aggressive tactics help in winning Test matches in Australia and abroad.
Warne has been quoted on several occasions that he was able to take many of his wickets due to McGrath bowling at the other end.
West Indies: Joel Garner-Michael Holding
The Garner-Holding partnership helped in make the Windes the powerhouse they were during the successful 70s/80s period.
Both fast bowlers but with different variations, they helped in creating a combination that is known as “pace like fire”.
This is due to how fast Holding was and to the height of Garner. They were both bowlers would instil fear in batsman.
Both bowlers have over 500 wickets between them. Both were key in winning the World Cup in 1979 which saw Michael Holding and Joel Garner trigger the greatest collapse in world cricket, with England losing 8 for 11 as the Windies went on to win the World Cup.
In addition to this both Holding and Garner helped in winning the Wisden trophy against England and the Frank Worrel trophy multiple times
My verdict
I think both bowling combinations were quite brilliant in their own right and are quite amazing.
I believe however that Warne and McGrath were better as a combination. Holding and Garner were helped by Andy Roberts and Malcolm Marshall as all four helped in keep the Windies successful, while Warne and McGrath were Australia leading bowlers which helped in winning matches.
Overall both combinations are amazing but I have to go with Warne and McGrath.
JGK
Roar Guru
That’s 12 years ago! And we weren’t in danger of losing that one. Cummins’ debut was pretty good mind you.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
We beat the Saffas in 2008 in Sydney with an over to spare, does that count? Admittedly we'd just lost our first series at home in forever.
matth
Roar Guru
I’d say Hall was considered better but Griffith the more dangerous and a little crazy. Like a Lillee Thomson combination.
Targa
Roar Rookie
Not sure
Trevor
Guest
You got the Windies combo right - but the best two (by a fair margin, as well) were Marshall and Ambrose. They should be the pair picked in this exercise.
JGK
Roar Guru
Was that the same umpire who cost Warney his ton?
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Warne obliterated Daryl Cullinan too. He had a huge reputation before facing Warne...not so afterwards!
Paul
Roar Guru
totally agree Targa. He seems to have a bit of Clive Lloyd in him; bother were great cricketers but both seemed calm & thoughtful as leaders, on & off the field.
Targa
Roar Rookie
I'm hugely impressed with Jason Holder as a player and a captain. Hopefully he can turn the Windies around.
Targa
Roar Rookie
Call me a grumpy Kiwi but they should have lost to us in Perth in 2001/02 and would've if the Zimbabwean umpire had done his job.
Camo McD
Roar Guru
Yes, it is possible Warne and McGrath were better but I'd still rather face them than Holding and Garner.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
I'm obviously old-ish as well however a fast bowler who doesn't seem to get a regular mention in discussions about Windies fast bowlers is Charlie Griffith who bowled in tandem with Hall. Griffith had a suspect action & was no-balled as a result. Check his record. He was menacing.
Irie
Roar Rookie
Loved Andy Roberts. Can remember as a young buck being very impressed that he was also the President of Cuba!! :laughing:
Irie
Roar Rookie
My old man (and he's getting rather old now!) also talks of Wes Hall and how good he was. It must be such a privilege to have seen him.
Irie
Roar Rookie
Lack of money is one aspect, but it has been compounded by years of mismanagement
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
I had the pleasure of watching Wes Hall play. Two highlights were playing for Queensland in a Shield match at the SCG when he bowled Harvey & O'Neill (2 pretty useful batsmen) in quick succession beating them with sheer pace. Don't think his speed could be recorded then. Second highlight occurred in his season with Randwick in the Sydney Grade Comp where he would commence his run up leaning on the fence. One game (I think v Sutherland) in a One Day game Randwick made about 90 & Wes said "that's enough runs Man". He was right as Wes proceeded to take 6 or 7 wickets & his side won.
Tigerbill44
Roar Guru
Yes for me it was more Roberts- Holding in the early stages. After Roberts' retirement Marsahll-Garner generally shared the new ball and Holding would come as the 1st change.
JGK
Roar Guru
And don't forget that McGrath hat trick ball which for all the world looked like an edge.
JGK
Roar Guru
Agree - Maco was #1.
JGK
Roar Guru
As to the question of pairings, the thing about having a great seamer and a great spinner is that the toss becomes a lot less important. You will always have the bowler for bowling first or bowling last. And it also means that the opposition need to pick their team to deal with both types of bowler. I can't help but think of poor Robin Smith who entered the 1993 Ashes with a record of about 3000 runs at a 50 average and he was clearly one of the best players of pace bowling in the game. Warne completely messed with him in that series and he never really recovered.