timothius said:
Key points:
McGrath bowled in an era with two distinct "bunny" teams Zimbabwe & Bangladesh.
While the overs are similar (666.666 overs difference funnily enough) McGrath has had acess to at least 25 more new balls if not 45-50 more... which is a significant advantage.
Furthermore comparing Hadlee's 9fer against Australia away and McGraths bowling against a second string Pakistain on a dangerous WACA pitch is not exactly a fair comparison. I think you will be hardpressed to find anyone who will agree that McGraths bowling surpassed Hadlee's.
Hadlee was a considerabley better batsmen.
Hadlee was a considerabley better feildsmen.
Hadlee did have good bowling team mates John Bracewell etc.
Ah, so now Zimbabwe is a bunny team. Who recently played them? Hmm, hmm and who was crowing about winning two tests?
Would have to go back and look at number of new balls, but personally, I wonder about the advantage of the new ball on some pitches and since when has the WACA been a dangerous pitch?