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

Sub-continent

No fast bowler tormented the Indian batsmen in India like Steyn

This slide is a sort of in-depth analysis of their away numbers where we zero in on one particular condition. In spite of doing well in Asia, off-spinner R Ashwin is not considered a world-class spinner because of his struggles outside the continent and for a spinner, the real challenge is to do well in Australia, England, South Africa etc.

This is one of the main reasons why Shane Warne is considered the greatest spin bowler ever in spite of taking 92 wickets fewer than Muttiah Muralitharan, because the former took a majority of his wickets in Australia and England while the latter did it in Asia.

Asia is always considered to have spinner-friendly conditions and the fast bowlers have their task cut out whenever they tour the countries in the continent. So, to be a successful fast bowler, one has to prove himself on the spin-friendly wickets in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the UAE.

Let us take a look at how both the bowlers have fared in conditions that are alien to them. Both have played the same number of matches in Asia and Steyn has almost twice the number of wickets that Anderson has in the continent.

Steyn has been terrific on wickets in the sub-continent and UAE as he has taken 114 wickets at an average of 22.66 when compared to Anderson's 59 wickets at an average of 30. Adding to this, Anderson takes approximately 27 more balls than Steyn to strike in these conditions.

Verdict: An average less than the career average in Asia for a pacer is simply phenomenal. There shouldn't even be an argument on who is the better bowler in Asia, conditions that are very tough to exploit for a fast bowler. Dale Steyn all the way.