Pace is close. Zaheer, Ishant, Munaf, RP, Sreesanth, Irfan, even Praveen Kumar. It's a bit raw, but almost as good as Morkel, Ntini and Steyn. RSA don't have too much in reserve either, Kallis is good, but if they had to field a fourth seamer it would be one of Nel/Langveldt/Zondeki...so it's close. If India play 2 seamers, it's equal, but if they play a third, the third one will need to really click. Same if we play four. On their day, then both sides equal, otherwise RSA have the edge.
But either way, India's edge in spin should cancell out RSA's edge in fielding and pace bowling.
Just for the record, Laxman got 1071 runs at 48.68 in 2008. HS of 200*, 2 tons and 7 fifties. 15 matches. Played Australia, South Africa, England and Sri Lanka.
Prince got 900 runs in 2008, average of 64.28. HS of 162*, 4 tons, 2 fifties, 13 matches. Played Windies, Bangladesh, India and England.
Laxman has more runs, and played harder opponents. Prince has a higher average, more tons (in fewer matches too) and played somewhat easier opponents.
So make of that what you wish. Prince does seem in better form though. We know Laxman plays pace very well, but I'm not sure how Prince plays spin. It could just boil down to that.
Finally someone agrees to what I said.India`s fast bowling may look a bit raw but we have more backup fast bowlers than SA and most of them have proven that they can be a handful on helpful tracks.Each time we have got helpful tracks abroad, our fast bowlers have won games for us.
And Yes Sure, that includes RP Singh,Munaf and Sreesanth.Remember Jamaica 2006,Perth 08,Galle 08,Jo`burg 06,Nottingham 07 ?
I still don`t know the reason why some people see the analysis as biased.I pride myself on making unbiased observations !
But the thread has served its purpose.I wanted some healthy debate at a time when test cricket seems to be on its revival path and at a time where there seems to be a shift in he power centre of test cricket away from Australia.
aditya123 added 6 Minutes and 39 Seconds later...
I read your thoughts on dynamics and diving catches. For me, I cannot really judge Dhoni on that because I haven't seen him spilling catches like that. Maybe he just doesn't get those opportunities? In which case counting it against him is a little unfair. Also, it is widely believed that the really good keepers don't fall over when taking catches. Good keepers move their legs to get to the ball and actually diving is a result of being a little late on the ball. Just something to chew on.
There is a saying which goes `As long as umpires and keepers are not in the news, it means they are doing a good job.`
Dhoni may not be a brilliant and an athletic keeper but he rarely misses chances and is excellent against spin which is more relevant to him because he plays a lot of cricket in India.That is why I did not bring in their keeping skills into the analysis.Both keepers have been in their respective sides for sometime which would suggest that they have`nt done a lot wrong with their keeping.
And Dhoni on current batting form would be the better batsman of the two.
+ I don` think Dhoni is a keeper so bad as to influence India`s challege to the Aussie throne.A keeper rarely does influence it.However a bad keeped could make things worse but Dhoni clearly is not a bad keeper.
aditya123 added 7 Minutes and 52 Seconds later...
In other words, we lack, Ambrose-Walsh or McGrath-Lee or Pollock-Ntini or Wasim-Waquar or Vaas or Bond or Kallis type of quality bowlers. When you hear these names the next word i remember is 'Quality/classy' pace attack.. But when I hear Indian bowler names, except Ishant I can see none of them looking aggressive to the opponents. Especially when our legendary RP Singh comes to bowl, it will be like 'Come come I like to smash you everywhere' to opponents rather than creating fears in batsmen when Lee,Pollock,McGrath,Ambrose or Walsh bowls.
But bowlers like McGrath,Ambrose,Walsh,Akram,Waqar are not born everyday.If you look at the current scenario in world cricket,there are very few really good fast bowlers and believe me India have quite a few of them.
Our pacers are bowling better than the Aussie pacers,including Lee at the moment.
Do not forget that our pacers have outbowled their far more celebrated Aussie and English counterparts consistently on dead wickets in India in the past couple of months.That does take a lot of skill.
aditya123 added 2 Minutes and 56 Seconds later...
Griffo, do respond to my post as to why the analysis is biased tomorrow.
aditya123 added 0 Minutes and 47 Seconds later...
So much bias in this its not funny... not even worth my time reading
Please explain what makes you feel so?