Dale Steyn is the bowler all fast bowlers of this generation aspire to be like: Adam Gilchrist

Former Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist has named South African pace bowling ace Dale Steyn as the best fast bowler of this generation. The former Australia wicket-keeper batsman also praised his countryman Mitchell Starc and feels that he is also in the same bracket when it comes to quality.

Steyn, who has racked up 416 Test wickets in a 12-year international career, is the second-leading Test wicket-taker among current players behind England’s James Anderson. Mitchell Starc, on the other hand, is flourishing greatly at the international level and is at the moment one of the most fearsome bowlers across all formats.

Both the bowlers, who recently made a come back from injuries, will most likely be seen playing against each other this summer when the Proteas come to Australia to play for Test series beginning in November.

“(Starc) is definitely in that bracket. If he’s not top, then he’s definitely in the top few (fast bowlers in the world).” Dale Steyn is just coming back from injury but he’s the class act that all fast bowlers of this generation aspire to be like,” Gilchrist told cricket.com.au.

“They aspire to have the results he’s had and the longevity he’s had. I think the greatest test of any champion is longevity. That’s the sign of a champion; that you’re around long enough to be classified as that. Dale’s done that.”

Gilly also made a statement that would surprise a few. He says that his folks did never rated James Anderson as high as he is rated these days. Anderson, who currently is the highest wicket talker among current cricketers, is the bowling spearhead of the English bowling attack and played a vital part in his team’s success over the years. The 44-year-old believes that Anderson now belongs in the top echelon of current Test seamers alongside Starc, Steyn, as well as his bowling partner Stuart Broad.

“Stuart’s Broad’s a guy who just continues to impress me,” Gilchrist said.

“And his bowling partner Jimmy Anderson, who our (playing) group just caught at the start of his career. I don’t think we held him in as high a regard as what he clearly is now; England’s highest-ever wicket-taker.”