In a recent discussion on Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, West Indies cricket legend Michael Holding was asked to name his four favorites fast bowlers. The former West Indian great who is a renowned commentator says he feels Dale Steyn’s action and skill-set makes the South African a ‘near-perfect’ prototype for a fast bowler. Holding named Steyn, Andy Roberts, Malcolm Marshall, and Australia’s Dennis Lillee as the four greatest fast bowlers.
Speaking about Dennis Lillee, Holding said: “Lillee had everything pace, control aggression. He was extremely quick when he started but had to totally remodel his action after a back injury and find different ways of getting batsmen out after losing a lot of pace.”
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Nicknamed “Whispering Death”, Holding was a part of the legendary West Indian pace attack that consists of Andy Roberts, Malcolm Marshall, and Joel Garner. Marshall and Roberts. He was quick to heap praise on his former teammates and decided to select as the best fast bowlers across generations.
Speaking on his former teammates, Holding said, “Malcolm started with good pace but as time went on he learned so much about fast bowling. He could assess opposition batsmen so quickly, so easily. Andy was someone I learned so much from. He hardly ever talked, used to walk around the field with a surly face and people thought he looked aggressive and must be some miserable guy. But that was not Andy.”
The 66-year-old Holding reserved the special praise for South Africa’s gun paceman – Steyn. “I have experience with those three guys, but just watching, you can’t go Dale Steyn outside of photography. He has been one of the great fast bowlers in an era. You’d pay to see it,” said Holding.
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England’s Stuart Broad who joined Holding in the same interview also hailed Steyn. He said Steyn is the ‘best bowler of his generation’ terming him a perfect idol for young pacers.
“The bowler of my generation is Steyn, without a doubt. I really enjoy watching him bowl. The action, the pace, the way he can swing it, the skill. If you wanted to be a bowler, you’d want that sort of ability,” Broad, said.
