Best pace bowling attack

[Papa_Smurf]

Just to start a new discussion before the WC. Having seen most teams in action since announcing their squads, who do you guys think possesses the best pace attack going in to the WC?

Aus:
Lee, Tait, Johnson

SA:
Steyn, Morkel, Tsotsobe

Pak:
Akhtar, Gul, Riaz

Eng:
Anderson, Broad, Shahzad

I think these are the right contenders - the others don't have a pace attack to rival the above.

 

[Fenil]

I think the best pace trio of pace attack is:
RSA's Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

 

[War]

AUS & PAK easily.

 

[AkshayS]

Should I say Australia? Lee is back now.

 

[Pranav]

Based on the current scenario, it has to be South Africa. All three of them i.e Steyn, Morkel and Tsotsobe are in exceptional form at the moment.

Australia might take the lead if you consider the overall stats.

 

[ksduded]

SA for me. Steyn is just too good. It would have been Pak if Akhtar would bowl more than 4 overs.

 

[aussie1st]

Pakistan and England have the reverse swingers which will be handy on the subcontinent. Haven't seen enough of the SA attack lately but they all are firing and producing the results. The Aussie one is still hit and miss, the fact they conceded 330 against the English is case and point.

 

[ZoraxDoom]

Quickest will be Australia.

Most effective I reckon will either be Pak or RSA. If the South African bowlers can adjust their gameplan to SC pitches, they should be the best on show with all their variety. Steyn to swing the new ball and with odd bursts of pace. Morkel can either bounce out the batsmen on tracks with any help, otherwise will need to stick to just short of a good length and keep it on the stumps, keep things tight. Tsotsobe to do what he does right now, angle the ball away from the righties and induce a loose shot, or do them in with a change in pace.

 

[Papa_Smurf]

Totally agree Zorax

 

[sami ullah khan]

Australia and Pakistan. Whoever gets to reverse swing the ball better, will be more instrumental in their teams' victories. Also fitness is an issue with both attack.

 

[AbhishekS]

Akhtar and Gul can be absolutely ruthless in the SC once they get in their flow. I don't feel that the South African pacers will do much damage here.
The Australian pace attack looks good too and certainly is a strong one.

Pakistan has the best pace attack, followed by Australia.

 

[sami ullah khan]

Also we have to keep in mind that Pakistani bowlers know how to bowl on these pitches better than the other three attacks.

 

[SaiSrini]

Australia for me. The comeback of Lee heavily titls scales towards them. He is an excellent bowler with great control, and his pace we all know. Around him, Johnson and Tait will bowl good too (I believe).

 

[Ashirbad99]

Australia's attack is better as they have now got a attack leader in Lee which they lacked in the Ashes. He will certainly fill McGrath's absence and provide support for Tait, Johnson or Bollinger. Whoever of them plays.

 

[angryangy]

Though consistency is an issue, Australia bring with them the largest contingent of effective strike bowlers. Probably the biggest debate is whether they focus on this too much.

Pakistan would be next. The three main bowlers are between themselves quite skilful and quick. One would also think they are the ones who will be most at home in the conditions. Their weakness may be the ageing Shoaib Akhtar, who hasn't exactly been at the top of his game in his most recent stint. Fielding can also be an issue that impacts on their bowlers, but they seem to have figured this out for themselves. Their depth isn't overwhelming with the loss of Amir and Asif, but it isn't so bad either.

I think South Africa raise more questions than the above two. Dale Steyn's abilities as a Test bowler raise his profile immensely, but little of his ODI work has added to that. Their depth is also questionable. If one of the top bowlers is out, are they anywhere near as effective? Without Morne Morkel, their pace might not even be as good as England.

England are comfortably fourth placed, but as above, close enough to make ground. Stuart Broad has been effective, but comes back from a lengthy injury. James Anderson used to be seen as an ODI specialist, but it seems a wiser, more accurate Anderson is decidedly less dangerous. Ajmal Shahzad is probably the key; he is an interesting young bowler with much ability and skills that could come to the fore in the subcontinent. If Shahzad comes to the fore, England will have a tough attack to face.