11 Greatest bowling partnerships in Cricket

11 Greatest bowling partnerships in Cricket: Just like batting partnerships are crucial to a team getting a big score, it is no different with the bowlers. Some might think that this theory is limited only to opening bowlers but that is far from true. There have been several bowling partnerships over the years that have been instrumental in the success of their teams. Some of these were lethal fast-bowling pairs, some were spin twins, who foxed batsmen with their guile, and some were a combination of a pacer and a spinner. Since the game began every bowling attack has dreamt of hitting their skills and performing well as a unit.

Today we look at 11 Greatest bowling partnerships in Cricket:

1. Malcolm Marshall & Michael Holding (West Indies):

After 1980 if anyone asks you about the most devastating opening bowling pair then the answer should always be Malcolm Marshall & Michael Holding. This West Indian duo snatched the sleep from the eyes of the greatest batsmen of that era. Marshall wasn’t very tall and not one with natural bounce yet he had it all. Holding moved like the wind and sent it down like lightning. Marshall became revered for his intelligence, stamina, and his strike rate of 46.7 balls per wicket – a cut above anybody in the 1980s. Together they were an irresistible force, different in style yet similar in method. In 60 Test matches, Holding took 249 wickets at an average of 23.68 & Marshall took 376 wickets at an average of 20.94.

Also Read – Top 10 Bowlers fastest to 100 wickets in ODIs

2. Wasim Akram & Waqar Younis (Pakistan):

Perhaps the best fast bowling pair of all time to come from the subcontinent. On one hand Akram’s banana swing and on the other Waqar’s speed made an amazing package of opening bowling. They were not just rapid bowlers. They swung the new ball as well as any have done at that pace. Wasim, the finest left arm pacer the world has seen, could swing it either way mesmerisingly and waspishly. This pair bagged up 559 wickets only in 61 test matches (almost 9 wickets in each). Wasim and Waqar opened the bowling together in 56 one-day matches and took, at 22.39 average, 476 wickets, more than any other pairing.

3. Glenn McGrath & Shane Warne (Australia):

Their camaraderie was as good as any bowling pair even though they didn’t deploy the same trade. Amongst themselves they have an incredible 1001 wickets in only 104 Tests. Over a span of 15 years they played more than 100 tests together and Australia won 70% of them. One was the master of new ball and the other, a wizard of leg spin bowling. Each was a great bowler in his own right; as a pair they were almost insurmountable. McGrath swung the ball in both directions and Warne was there with all his variation to demand a batsman’s skill mainly with his top spin, wrong’un and Flippers.

4. Anil Kumble & Harbhajan Singh (India):

As per the quality of this list, undoubtedly, one can never keep Kumble & Harbhajan out of it. They are the most successful spinners of Indian cricket. They took 501 Test wickets at an average of 30.27 in their span. These two spinners were the backbone of India’s bowling attack for more than a decade and performed well not only at home but in foreign conditions. This leg spin and off spin combination was a nightmare for most batsmen.

5. Stuart Broad & James Anderson (England):

These two recently became only the third pair in Test cricket to take combined tally of 500 Test wickets. Jimmy is probably the best exponent of swing bowling in world cricket at the moment. And when he swings it, they really do move. The England pace ace rediscovered his mojo when he mastered a tough art, reverse swing which was amply on display when England toured India in 2012 and won a historic Test series. Broad on the other hand generates uncomfortable bounce all credit to his height. But that’s not all. The lanky pacer has the skill to trouble the best in the business when on song.

6. Muttiah Muralitharan & Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka):

It’s no surprise to find Muttiah Muralitharan’s name high on this list. But he was ably helped by Chaminda Vaas. In 163 innings together, the brilliant off spinner and his left-arm henchman claimed 879 wickets. This was a duo that got Sri Lanka recognition on the cricketing map. They haunted the opposition and successfully buried them. Continuing their good work, they worked magic for Sri Lankan bowling throughout their careers. While Murali kept batsmen guessing, Vaas was more known for his economy rate and variety. They were instrumental in Sri Lanka winning their maiden World Cup title in 1996.

7. Courtney Walsh & Curtly Ambrose (West Indies):

Together they formed a pair that was dubbed the ‘Stealth Bombers’. Both bowlers being well above 6 feet, they towered over most batsmen and were perfectly capable of wreaking havoc on their day. Their pace intimidated the batsmen and they worked as a pair to get the best of results. While Curtly Ambrose instilled fear with his sheer pace, Walsh was always meticulous with his line and length and the combination worked wonders for the West Indies. They captured over 750 wickets at just over 22.

8. Allan Donald & Shaun Pollock (South Africa):

It would be tough to choose one if you were asked to and so it is best to admire their prowess collectively. They took a total of 397 wickets at an average of just above 21, the best in the list. Both believed in ripping the top order off rather than taking easy wickets at the bottom. Donald, better known as ‘White Lightning’ was menacing when in rhythm while Pollock had all the ingredients of a perfect medium pacer.

9. Dennis Lillee & Jeff Thomson (Australia):

Two of the fiercest bowlers Australia ever produced, Lillee and Thomson are a must on any list ever made on the best bowling attacks. They were the unruly combination that petrified England during the Ashes series of 1974/75. Lillee was known for his fiery temperament and never say die attitude was and flew high taking 31 England wickets in 1972. Named in Australia’s Test Team of the Century, he was an enduring entertainer, while partner-in-crime Thomson was easily the fastest of the bowlers of his generation and inculcated fear in the minds of batsmen. In 26 Tests in tandem they picked up 217 wickets.

10. Keith Miller & Ray Lindwall (Australia):

They complemented each other beautifully: Keith Miller – charismatic, eccentric, explosive
and the less obtrusive Ray Lindwall with the classic action. The Aussies terrorised batsmen for a decade and were both part of Bradman’s 1948 ‘Invincibles’ team. Ray Lindwall was a master in all conditions while Miller had great venom in his deliveries. They were one of those great bowling pairs but but still managed 340 wickets in 50 Tests in tandem.

11. Dale Steyn & Morne Morkel (South Africa):

The best, and easily the most celebrated new-ball pair in recent times, numbers alone speak volumes of the success of the Steyn-Morkel combination. Steyn, the best of his generation, and Morkel, whose pace, coupled with the height he delivers from, have sent back more than 500 batsmen so far. That amounts to close to 52% of the wickets South Africa have taken in the time the two have been operating in tandem. Steyn, currently on  wickets, is just 19 shy of tying Pollock’s South African record. Morkel isn’t anywhere close but his 218 wickets from 64 matches at 29.66 is impressive nonetheless. With age on their side the duo could still wreck more havoc for opposition teams.

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