Analysing the reasons why Dale Steyn is a better Test bowler than James Anderson

Home and away figures

Away from home: Dale Steyn ... daylight... James Anderson

Doing well at home is a cakewalk for most of the cricketers. What matters most though is how they perform away from home, which is what separates normal cricketers from the greats. So, a player's performances outside his home should always carry more weight.

Let us take a look at how both of them have fared in the opposition's home. In spite of taking 506 Test wickets, many believe that Anderson's new-ball partner Stuart Broad is a better bowler than him because of his ability to bowl consistently well outside England. This is evident from the fact that Anderson's numbers outside Britain look average.

Out of the 506 wickets he has taken so far, 335 have been taken at home when compared to just 171 in away Tests. His 171 away wickets came at an average of 33.46 while his home ones came at 24.29.

Steyn, on the other hand, has a brilliant record away from home too. In spite of playing 14 matches fewer than Anderson away from home, Steyn has taken five more wickets.

Steyn has taken 176 wickets outside South Africa at an average of 24 while his 241 wickets at home came at an average of 21.

Verdict: The number of runs conceded per wicket (average) and the number of balls taken to dismiss a batsman (strike-rate) for Dale Steyn away from home are miles better than James Anderson's at home. Nothing else is needed to point out who the better bowler is in this aspect.