James Anderson vs Dale Steyn (part 2)

Steyn and speed-gun

When Steyn is bowling with the old ball, there is every chance that he can touch even 95mph. The way Steyn zips through the crease so quickly is a sight to behold. If other pacers have an extra gear in terms of speed, Steyn seems to have two extra gears up his sleeve.

Comparison between Anderson and Steyn

Steyn and James Anderson have different ways of outwitting the batsman, and delivering the coup de grace. But if one still has to compare both of them, it is perhaps better to look at what they have done since January 2010, as Anderson matured late as a bowler.

Since January 2010, Steyn has taken 160 wickets in just 31 Tests at an outstanding average of 21.25, and at a phenomenal strike rate of 42.4. Even his record away from home in that period, which reads as 62 wickets in 14 Tests at 24.87, is stunning. In particular, the last season was an annus mirabilis for Steyn, as in 2012/13, he hunted down 33 batsmen in just 5 Tests at an earth-shattering average of 12.36.

On the other end of the spectrum, James Anderson has taken 159 wickets in 38 Tests at an impressive average of 25.76 since January 2010. His strike rate during that period, which reads as 56.5, doesn’t match up to Steyn’s phenomenal numbers, but is still very good. His record away from home during that period makes for a good reading too. He has taken 63 wickets at 28.98 in just 16 Tests. He did struggle this year in New Zealand. But Anderson, in recent times, has shown his wares in Asia and Australia.

One of the major reasons why Steyn’s record is better even since January 2010 is because of his wicked bouncer. Steyn’s bouncer is so good that he invariably rips-open the lower order with utmost ease. But Anderson’s bouncer is still not up-to the mark. As a result, England’s captain, Cook, depends more on Finn and Broad to run through the tail. It also has to be said that as Steyn is a yard quicker than Anderson, he causes more trouble to the batsmen when the old ball is reversing.

There is a school of thought that Dale Steyn is the better bowler of the two in one-day cricket. But the fact is, both have similar averages and strike rates in the shorter form of the game. In fact, the South African cricket board has managed Steyn well, as Steyn has played just 72 one-day matches since his debut.

Make no mistake, James Anderson is a terrific bowler these days, and is a connoisseur’s delight. But if I have to choose one among Steyn and Anderson in my World X1 to take on a team from planet Mars, it would be Steyn. His numbers are just mind-boggling. There is no doubt that Steyn will end up as an all time great fast bowler. Having said that, James Anderson deserves more respect than what he gets. It has become a mundane cliche to say that Anderson does well only when conditions favour him. In the last few years, he has proved his mettle with some fine performances away from home.