Top Ten: Bouncers
Steve Carpenter
Posted on: 21 October 2009 - 15:02
Cricket
In its simplest term, a bouncer is a style of bowling in cricket that bounces high on pitching, but what this definition and any other for that matter cannot explain is the amount of damage it can do not just to the score and result of a match, but to the batsman himself.
Sport.co.uk takes a look at ten of the best bouncers cricket has seen...please be warned, this is not for the faint hearted!
1. Shoaib Akhtar - Pakistan
Shoaib Akhtar Bouncer to Brian Lara
This has to go down as the greatest bouncer bowled by one of the sport's fastest ever bowlers as Pakistan legend Shoaib Akhtar rifles a right-handed ball towards Brian Lara, who tries to avoid (but gets taken out by) the pace and power.
What makes this stand out as possibly the best bouncer ever is the fact that it is being delivered to cricket's greatest ever batsman and as much as it will pain a lot of people to see the legend Lara hurt, you can’t take anything away from Akhtar who is also able to present sportsmanship in the sport too.
2. Mitchell Johnson – Australia
Brilliant Mitchell Johnson bouncer against South Africa
This a perfect example of Australian left-hander Mitchell Johnson on top of his game as he bowls a brilliant bouncer towards Jacques Kallis, executing a superb piece of aggressive bowling and causing a blood bath in the process.
3. Curtly Ambrose – West Indies
Unforgetable confrontation with Steve Waugh
This has to go down as the funniest yet most confrontational bouncers in cricket history from West Indian fast bowler Curtly Ambrose serves up a first ball which annoyed Australia captain Steve Waugh so much that he was forced to confront the 6ft 7inch right hander.
After a light war of words, Ambrose was eventually restrained by a teammate and his reply was sensational. He took all his anger out on the Australian by sending a bouncer straight at him, which Steve Waugh could do nothing about.
4. Glenn McGrath - Australia
England’s Mal Loye is hit by a Glenn McGrath bouncer
Glenn McGrath was a key member of Australia’s world domination of cricket in the 1990s and on this occasion England’s Mal Loye is on the receiving end of a tremendous bouncer back in Sydney, 2007.
The Australian, who missed out on the 2009 Ashes series because of injury, currently holds the world record for his number of Test wickets and is the fourth greatest wicket taker ever, with fellow country Shayne Warne at number two.
5. Wasim Akram – Pakistan
Shayne Thompson is knocked over by this Akram bouncer
This fantastic bouncer from Pakistan legend Wasim Akram back in 1994 knocks New Zealand batter Shayne Thompson of his feet and onto the floor thanks to its surprise and pace. Proof if any was needed that Wasim Akram was one of cricket's finest pace bowlers.
Thanks to his complete swing and varied game Akram's technique sees him rated as the greatest left-arm fast bowler ever. not only did he surprise batsmen, from time to time he even scared the hell out of them - especially when producing the odd bouncer or deceptive slow delivery.
6. Shoiab Akhtar – Pakistan
Akhtar’s bouncer leaves Kirsten bleeding
This frightening bouncer from Pakistan's Shoiab Akhtar will go down as one of the deadliest of all thanks to his power and precision. Such was its ferocity that South Africa’s Gary Kirsten was forced to call for first aid.
Although it seems that Kirsten’s footwork appears to be all wrong, you can’t argue with the venom and skill in the delivery from the man they call the ‘Rawalpindi Express.' The nickname is not for nothing, Akhtar recorded two world record delivery’s of just over 100mph!
7. Andrew Flintoff – England
Andrew Flintoff v Michael Clarke
Flintoff is without doubt one of the greatest English players to grace the sport. A player that could do as much damage with the bat as he could with the ball as he proved on countless occasions including in this occasion against Michael Clarke.
The likeable all-rounder will always be remembered for his individual heroics during the 2005 Ashes series against Australia where his ability and his sportsmanship deservedly earned him Player of the Series.
8. Michael Holding – West Indies
Holding gets David Gower out with a cruel bouncer
Holding was part of the fast-paced West Indian bowling line-up during the late 70s and early 80s which included the likes of Malcolm Marshall and Joel Garner; a trio who terrorised cricket nations with their power and speed.
Here Holding, nicknamed the ‘Whispering Death’ because of his slow tidy run-ups, bowls an unstoppable bouncer to England left-hander-turned-pundit David Gower. Watch as the silver fox can do nothing but try turn away from the ball, before being hit and walking away from the crease for just 12 runs.
9. Steve Harmison – England
Australia captain Ricky Ponting is hit by a Harmison Bouncer
England Bowler Steve Harmison has always had a reputation as one of England’s fastest bowlers and the right hander played his part in the 2005 Ashes victory over Australia which included this vicious bouncer delivered to Ricky Ponting.
The ball was powerful enough to cut the Australia captain, who needed treatment immediately and justified Harmison’s selection in 2005, but his England days look set to be over after a cameo appearance against the Aussies in 2009.
10. Brett Lee – Australia
Superb wicket by Brett Lee from a bouncer
This is a superb example of a Brett Lee bouncer and it comes from the wonderful 2005 Ashes series against England where the Australian was in the form of his life. In this instance he takes the wicket of Simon Jones with a typically unplayable ball.
Brett Lee will always be remembered for his breathtaking speed delivery both on the Test match stage and in One Day Internationals and deserves his place alongside Pakistan's Shoiab Akhtar as the greatest fast bowler of the 90s.