James Anderson vs Dale Steyn: A statistical comparison in Test cricket of two legendary bowlers

James Anderson again Dale Steyn are two of the fastest fast bowlers of the modern era, each leaving an indelible mark on test cricket. Anderson, the brilliant Englishman, is renowned for his bowling and seaming skills, while Steyn, the fiery South African, is praised for his raw pace and aggressiveness.

Both had reached the pinnacle of fast bowling, which is often compared and discussed by cricket lovers around the world. This detailed analysis examines their contrasting styles, technical areas, and statistical achievements in test cricket to find out what sets them apart and what makes them legends of the game. Let’s not forget that both figures retired from the world and Anderson was the latest to play his last game against the West Indies at Lord’s.

Bowling styles

James Anderson

Anderson, also known as ‘Jimmy,’ was primarily a swing bowler. His ability to swing the ball both ways, even under the most challenging conditions, was his trademark. Anderson’s strength lies in his good control and consistency. He used to bowl at speeds ranging from 130-140 km/h, relying heavily on timing to deceive the batsmen. His ability to reverse swing, especially with the old ball, has been a key weapon in his arsenal, allowing him to remain a major threat throughout the innings.

Dale Steyn

Steyn, on the other hand, was famous for his speed and aggressiveness. Bowling regularly in the high 140s and sometimes touching 150 km/h, Steyn combined pace with accuracy. His ability to produce sharp movement out of the field, and a fearsome short ball, made him a formidable opponent. Steyn’s approach was more aggressive than Anderson’s, tending to target the stumps and aim to confuse the batsmen with his pace and hostility.

Areas of Expertise

Anderson

• Swing bowling: Anderson’s main strength was his ability to swing, both standard and reverse. His ability to move the ball late has made him particularly lethal in English situations.
• Stitch movement: Anderson was able to manipulate even the seam movement out of the field, which made it difficult to deal with, especially in the shade.
• Control and consistency: Anderson’s relentless accuracy and ability to maintain a consistent line and length made him a staple of the English attack for over a decade.

Stein

• Raw Raw: Steyn’s pace played a major role in his success, bowling in the high 140s and troubling batsmen with his pace.
• Anger: Steyn’s aggressive style, in his bowling and in his demeanor, he always put the batsmen back, which led to him getting many of his wickets.
• Diversity: Steyn’s ability to bowl well in different conditions, from the seam tracks of South Africa to the flat pitches of the subcontinent, showed his versatility as a bowler.

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Statistical analysis in test cricket

Notably, Anderson and Steyn are both fast bowlers, each bringing a different style and strength to the game. Anderson’s success was built on his bowling ability, control, and ability to adapt to different conditions, while Steyn, with his raw pace, aggression, and ability to strike fear into the hearts of batsmen, left an equally huge impact on the game. Let’s look at a comparative analysis of bowlers in test cricket.

• Wickets and similar: Anderson has played more Tests than Steyn, making him the highest wicket-taker. However, Steyn’s strike rate is much better, which shows that he has taken more of his wickets. Notably, Anderon played 188 Tests, the second most in the history of the longest format. He finished his career with 704 wickets, most by a pacer and third highest overall. Accordingly, Steyn played 93 red-ball matches for the Proteas and took 439 wickets.
• Rating: Steyn’s bowling average of 22.95 outstrips Anderson’s 26.46, indicating that the South African maestro is less successful in taking wickets for fewer runs.
• Claim level: Steyn’s strike rate of 42.39 is much better than Anderson’s 56.87, highlighting Steyn’s ability to take wickets at pace.
• Five and ten wickets: Steyn boasts more wicket hauls, 5 compared to Anderson’s 3, but the Englishman leads by five wickets, with 32 compared to Steyn’s 26.

Two legends, two unique legacies

While Steyn’s superior stats in terms of average and strike rate underline his efficiency and power, Anderson’s longevity and ability to continually adapt and reinvent himself in different situations highlights his incredible resilience and skill.

Ultimately, both bowlers have earned their places in the ranks of cricket’s greats, each embodying different aspects of fast bowling. Their works, though different in style, collectively enrich the rich tapestry of test cricket history.

ALSO WATCH: James Anderson receives Guard of Honor from England and West Indies players on Day 3 of Lord’s Test