I’ve been reading quite a lot about cricket on other websites, particularly Cricinfo. 

In reading about the top batters in Test cricket ATM, outside the top 4, Smith, Kohli, Williamson and Root, a few other relatively unsung batters appeared. 

Pujara- was outstanding in Aus. Also, Kohli has poor figures when his upper order fail, whilst Smith is much more effective when batting after a collapse. 

Pujara’s recent results have been outstanding. 

Two other batters, Nicholls and Latham, who I assume are Kiwis, are ranked 6th and 7th. 

I was very interested to read about this trio having had great recent success. 

DC interesting stats on those two Kiwis. Have they been playing the big three tho? Paddles will tell us.

If you want a historical aspect of the game mate.. subscribe to Wisden.

The big 3 refers to money. Not skill. Otherwise someone would need to explain how SA was #1 for so often. And why Australia and England are still not in the top 3 on the rankings - but very much part of the "Big 3".

That said, your concern does not apply to Nicholls. Nicholls has centuries against Saffirs and England (the day night match where NZ rolled England for 60 odd) - but his real crowning glory was a century in the UAE against Pakistan against Yasir Shah in full force that helped NZ win a  series there. He is currently ranked #5 in tests, with KW ranked #2. Taylor is 12=, Latham 11 and Watling 30=NZ has had a good time of it lately winning 5 series in a row vs Eng, SL, Pak, Bang, and WI. 5th day rain Rain robbed us a series vs SA. But that's cricket. Raval, currently ranked 34, averages over 60 vs SA but 8 vs England. 

Latham is a minnow basher through and through, though. His runs have all come against SL and Bang at home, Zimbabwe and West Indies. He really needs to remedy this. India, Eng and Aus are all playing us this summer. Either openers in Latham or Raval may well end up dropped at some point for Will Young if they struggle for runs. NZ has a gun not in the team, and he can bat anywhere. Taylor will get a free pass in tests, cos of services rendered and his importance to the ODI team.

Latham is fine and classical wisen-type technically, and is known as one of the premier players of spin in NZ. Which begs the question why is he opening?He has 3 modes of dismissal that are memeworthy, chasing the cover or wide off drive on the new ball and nicking it before he is set. Or looking to clip to the leg side and being lbw. Which all raises the question why is he opening? Then once he is set 30 to 50, he is famous for clipping the ball to leg straight to a fielder for out caught.

Nicholls is not at all technical like Wisden. He has some of the sweetest cut shots you will ever see, and a very good sweeper. His pull shot makes him some runs but looks awkward at times, but he hits to different areas I believe intentionally. However, he has next to no straight drive game at all. He looks to whip on the onside. Or square and cover drive if very wide. And he has a huge gap between bat and pad, and is often clean bowled through it. Even on his forward lunge defence. Nicholls basically has a game plan like Allan Border did. Without the defence as yet. But as he showed in the UAE, he can make it work against the spinners. 

Nicholls is a very square based player. Latham is 360. I believe when Watling retires, Latham will move down the order and become the wicket keeper. Latham is not an opening batsman. And despite him crushing some minnows, has not performed all that well as an opening batsman. The spanner int he worls for this happening, is Tom Blundell has been ear marked as the next test keeper, and been with the squad for 2 years now as the spare. 

Nicholls just looks more and more composed every intl innings. Even his 50 in the WC final, he just seemed like he was in control. I thought he was set for a 100 tbh. The irony is, Latham was dropped as odi opener, now Nicholls is the odi opener. These 2 swap roles per format. They're from the same province - and both can keep wicket.

Great post, Paddles. 

I highly think you should look at the scorecards of India in South Africa and India in England. This is very wrong in recent times. Kohli was the only Indian batsman to make runs, ABDV the only South African, and no Englishman did. England out tailed India with Sam Curran and Woakes and co.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_cricket_team_in_South_Africa_in_2017–18

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_cricket_team_in_England_in_2018

Pujara failed in SA and England last year. But he has had a stellar career for a long time. A test specialist, he doesn't even play in the IPL anymore in recent years. He goes to county instead. Just grinds as a wall - a modern day Rahul Dravid. Has problems with the swinging ball, though. 

Dec, if you reading cricinfo, make sure you read Adel Fernando. He is a brilliant writer who follows SL.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/26011743/kusal-perera-bats-body-heart-soul-innings-life

He said this about what many believe is probably the greatest test innings ever, definitely of recent times anyway.

Just wonderful.

I am reading his current tour column:

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/27373677/new-zealand-eye-test-dominance-amid-sri-lanka-theatre-absurd



He is a brilliant and candid writer. But its true. Sri Lanka have become the new Pakistan after beating SA in SA but losing to England at home.

NZ off to a terrible start. Both openers gone - 33 and 30 - and KW for a duck. Pitch is turning big on day 1 before lunch.

Latham dismissal was terrible batting. Just left his bat hanging out and watched the ball hit the edge on a 6th stump line. 

KW got beaten second ball where he was caught trying to sweep but the ball was too short so he had to improvise and clip it but found a fielder.

Sigh - NZ in huge trouble at 170 for 5. And a batsman short.

With the warmup game all but entirely washed out so that no NZ batsman got a single hit, the first test started badly for NZ. NZ was never able to demonstrate its batting dominance over SL, and despite posting a competitive 249 to defend in the 4th innings, a wonderful Karunaratne (c) century saw SL home with able support from his opening partner and Mathews. Santner who did nothing all game and I would not have picked anyway, was dropped and replaced by CdG's greater batting and very handy swing and seam.

Come the second test, in between constant rain, NZ lost the toss and looked set to be batting last. But fate took a different turn, as the NZ batting machine rumbled into gear, with motm Latham posting 150, mots Watling another gritty 100 and CdG carving the bowlers for a better than a run a ball 80 to set up an innings victory and 65 runs within the rain reduced time allowed. Bare in mind NZ declared early on the 5th day, when it could have batted on and on and posted well in excess of 500 had the rain not come. All the bowlers took a wicket as SL were skittled for 122 in 70 overs, just before bad light would have made the match a draw. 

Its disappointing that its only a 2 match series, NZ really are a superior team to SL right now, even in their backyard. Despite the positives, a terrible series for Jeet Raval, who knows once Will Young is fit, he is under real pressure to keep his spot. Kane Williamson had a rare two test failure, scoring 4, 0, and 20. Tom Latham on the other hand, should join Henry and Kane in the top 10 batsman rankings after 220+ runs in 3 innings. Watling should join Taylor in the top 20 after 180 odd runs for once out in three innings leaving this a rare moment in NZ batting quality. While Taylor and Williamson get the plaudits, Watling and Nicholls have contributed a lot at vital times. Latham who I firmly believe is not an opener, does get the job done vs spin, with 3 centuries now in Asia vs Pak and SL. Raval appears to be the weaker link. But Will Young is just around the corner. CdG - the #7 allrounder - is now nearly averaging 40...

I think Latham is currently ranked 6th in the world, Paddles.

He was 12th when I wrote that. They updated the rankings the day after the three tests concluded in English time. Latham is now 8th. Giving NZ 3 in the top 10. I don't recall this happening before - and could only have with KW, McCullum and Taylor around 2014 sic maybe 2015 at some point.... Maybe 85/86 with Crowe, Reid and maybe.... Coney/Wright.... but doubtful....

Good times for NZC :)

I am surprised though that Watling is still 27th and didn't move up far... I thought he would bust the top 20 after all those runs... he is 23 points from 19th which is really just a century next innings to be fair, though as he is on only 620 points

https://twitter.com/afidelf/status/1165858569641611266

lol - I'm glad someone came out and said it.

On another matter - Jasprit Bumrah has been bowling rockets in the West Indies and got a hat-trick this morning in a six wicket spell. 

Even with the weak batting lineup of the Windies, the highlights are something to behold. 

Thanks.

I'll chase them up.

Afghanistan playing Bangladesh in a one off test. Bangladesh picked 4 spinners and I think Afghanistan picked 3 spinners. 

Currently Afghanistan are 191/3 with Rahmat Shah 97*

Rahmat Shah becomes the first ever Afghani to score a test hundred. Gets out the next ball.

Great post. AFG batting is a big problem. Too often Nabi looks the best batsman after Shezhad's succesful slogs.

This is great news!

Ashgar Afghan just misses becoming the second being out for 92. Some great tail slogigng and shielding the tail from Rashid Khan as hes hit 50 off 50 with Afghanistan 341/9

I can't believe how good Afghanistan are considering their domestic turmoil.

Rashid Khan gets shakib al Hassan. Bangladesh in trouble at 88/4. Be interesting to see if they can keep going. We recently saw Ireland on top against England but lacking the experience to finish the job 

Looks like rain might have ruined Afghanistan's chance of beating Bangladesh

:(

And Afghanistan have just defeated Bangaldesh by 224 runs. Got down to 3 overs remaining in the day. Rashid Khan the hero with a first innings 50 and 11 wickets for the match.

OMG - i stopped following this. Excellent news. Thanks for the post redkat!!!

Off to check the scorecard....

Great day for intl cricket. Bangladesh have taken down Aus and Eng, and humbled by Afghanistan.

Cricket needs more participants. And this shows just how possible it is in a short time frame.

Discussing with Decentric got me thinking, about a topic I often think about. What is world class?

1	908	P.J. Cummins		914 v England, 18/08/2019
2	851	K. Rabada		902 v Australia, 12/03/2018
3	835	J.J. Bumrah		835 v West Indies, 02/09/2019
4	814	J.M. Anderson		903 v India, 13/08/2018
4	814	J.O. Holder		814 v India, 02/09/2019
6	813	V.D. Philander		912 v India, 22/12/2013
7	795	T.A. Boult		825 v England, 25/05/2015
8	785	N. Wagner		801 v Bangladesh, 12/03/2019
9	780	K.A.J. Roach		780 v India, 02/09/2019
10	770	Mohammad Abbas		838 v New Zealand, 19/11/2018
11	764	R.A. Jadeja		899 v Australia, 20/03/2017
12	758	J.R. Hazlewood		863 v India, 08/03/2017
13	754	T.G. Southee		799 v West Indies, 12/06/2014
14	747	R. Ashwin		904 v England, 12/12/2016
15	731	S.C.J. Broad		880 v South Africa, 18/01/2016
16	710	Yasir Shah		878 v England, 18/07/2016
17	698	M.A. Starc		805 v Pakistan, 19/12/2016
18	680	Mohammad Shami		703 v South Africa, 28/01/2018
18	680	S.T. Gabriel		757 v Bangladesh, 14/07/2018
20	677	I. Sharma		677 v West Indies, 02/09/2019
21	674	N.M. Lyon

Here is the current top 21 bowlers. Now, what some of you may not know, is that a bowler needs a 100 wickets before they are not penalised. This means Bumrah on 60 something wickets, is massively penalised right now, and so is Abbas on 60 something wickets. The difference this makes is huge, cos Bumrah, having played in SA, Eng and Aus all recently like Cummins, has averaged 19 for his career striking at 43 with over 5 wickets per test. Cummins is also a very impressive 5 per test, but at 21 average at 46 and has a massive lead over Bumrah. Another example, is Holder with 101 wickets at 27 striking at 63, is higher than Abbas at 19 striking at 46. So now you will understand the penalty system. But most the following bowlers have 100 wickets. Abbas and Bumrah are recent freaks to world test cricket. 

But lets look closer at the list.

WI - Holder and Roach are both in the top 10. But noone really seems to rate them nor discuss them. They have Gabriel in 18th. But noone is really calling them world class. But 2 in the top 10. They do love to outbowl England, though. And were very impressive against India, but their own batting was diabolical to the point cricinfo wrote an article reminding everyone how well Roach had bowled despite Bumrah turning the series into his own highlights package.

SA - they have Rabada and Philander in the top 10, and everyone agrees that they are world class, they also have Ngidi, and Nortje. So SA is world class? I'm fine with this, but after losing Steyn, Abbot, MMorkel, Olivier, they do need Ngidi to carry on as he has started which is averaging 19 and striking at 41. He averages 17 v India and 15 v Australia, so I like his chances he avoids touring SL soon. 

NZ - Boult and Wagner in the top 10. But noone is calling them world class right? 13th for Southee. But NZ's attack is not world class. And that's fine by me. I would like to see Ferguson given a go as 4th seamer for a reason, too. This attack needs to roll SA or Aus to be world class. Its not able to claim this world class label yet.

England - well they only have Jimmy in the top 10. Broad at 15th. Archer will be there soon enough one would feel, though. But are they world class? Woakes, Wood, TRJ, Stone, Overton... The English commentators tell me they are. Maybe with TRJ they could have been. But Archer only just got on the scene and I've been told they're world class for years. Jimmy dominates at home, does much less away. All the hopes for the future lie on Archer and Stone. They were outbowled in the Windies and had to call in Wood to add some muscle, but this was pre Archer debuting. I am not calling this attack worldclass as yet. I think Archer will be, I don't know if Anderson will ever return, and I don't know enough about Stone. I don't know if Wood can shakes years of mediocrity, and I don't rate Stuart Broad. I just don't.

Aus - Cummins at #1, going great guns, but only top 10 member, but Haze at 12 and Starc at 17. Is this World Class? I'll tread lightly here as an Australian forum. Its ranking below WI and NZ. 

India, well since Bumrah, we are now told all the time they have a WC seam attack. Bumrah is the only one in the top 3, with Sharma 20 and Shami 18th. But India is of course different with all their spin tracks at home, and Jadeja is 11th and Ashwin 14th. They also have BK as a spare seamer, and hopefully they will not select Yadav again any time soon unless its against NZ. So India for mine, depsite ranking below Aus, NZ and WI, is possibly the better attack for mine. But if Bumrah gets injured, everything changes. Instantly. When India tour here this summer, more will be revealed about their current seam attack. And NZ's for that matter.

Pak has Abbas in the top 10, and Shenwari, Afridi, (63) and Hasan (43) Ali do not yet rank. With Amir 31 retired. Some raw and undeniable talent, but clearly not world class proven yet I think is the safest opinion here. Its a very new, young, and inexperienced attack.

So which attacks are world class? How many can be world class? 

For mine, SA is world class. No doubt. But I am counting on Ngidi to continue on his merry way. But I have seen nothing to suggest he won't. Fitness is more of a concern for him. But they rate this Nortje kid too. 

India lost in SA to Rabada and Ngidi, and lost in England to a Curran batting and Anderson bowling, won in Aus vs a Smithless Australia. They completely outbowled the Aus attack. And Bumrah is now bowling inswingers and outswingers at will, with Shami bowling 140 outswing, and Sharma line and length with an inswinger.  

Okay, so if I call the Indian attack world class. I now already have 2 world class attacks.

But NZ and WI rate higher than the Indian attack on ratings. For whatever that is worth. NZ outbowled WI here due a to a short barrage, that Gabriel later served up to England. So these attacks are not really world class?

Which then leaves Australia, outbowled by India, ranking lower that NZ and WI, as world class? How is that possible? Is Cummins that good? Is that the difference? The 3 spear heads of Bumrah, Cummins, and Rabada just the attack around them? But if that were so, that would make the player world class not the attack. 

Am I being too harsh, or is world class just totally overused as a term? 

SL has Lakmal and Kumara, which is certainly better than Bangladesh which is a bit pop gun. But SL needs to develop Chameera and further support for these guys. Ireland's Murtagh is a fabulous cricketer. But he pretyt much is the attack.

I expect Hazlewoods 3 tests - 18 @16.8 s/r 40.4 with a game to play. will jump him several places. Cummins 4 tests - 24 @17.4  s/r 41 will retain his #1 spot. Starc will stay where he is on 17 or perhaps even drop.

No - the list was done 2 September. Its only missing the last test. Hazelwood didn't move up at all from the first 2 tests he played. Starc went up cos Gabriel went down losing points vs India. Cummins will keep #1, but he lost 6 points in 2nd and 3rd tests.

Because the English batting is rated so poorly, your bowlers are just as likely to lose points like Cummins has been. Root is 6th, Stokes 13th, then Bairstow in 32nd.. Butler 41... Burns 67 below Paine.. But there is a win bonus - which should help the Aussie bowlers.

:P

Impressive knowledge.

Where do you learn all this stuff, Paddles?

Its honed research skills and a love for cricket. 

Knowledge in this cyber world will become less important than the research skills to easily - find, decipher, and apply knowledge in the future. 

Have you played or coached cricket?

If you have, to what level?

I ask because we have  a couple of posters here where one is a professional soccer/football coach, and another who has been a semi-professional coach and top amateur soccer player/footballer.

Never coached. I'm sure I'd love coaching. I wouldn't mind running weekday drills, but I am loathe to lose weekend freedom. Be a sweet gig to be a national of FC pro coach. Heck, I wouldn't mind being one of those sports analysts where the people never played pr cricket. Unfortunately my quals and experience aren't in an advisable crossover.

Yeah - I played. I wrote a long detailed reply, but I am not sure I am quite ready to reveal the personal info of the things in it for it to make sense given the culture difference to cricket progression in Australia from NZ that I am well aware of.  So I don't think I will just yet. 

I was fortunate to be one of the few kiwis to be brought up in a cricketing excellence encouraged system which is not the norm in this country.  If I had had better eyesight then or taken more wickets, I would have had opportunities other's don't get so easy. Furthermore, its swept under the rug a bit here, insiders are aware, and talented outsiders become aware, or at least suspect, but don't openly grizzle, unless they get lucky enough to find a way in if they're really good enough, and it ends up in someone's autobiography as a side issue in a personal dispute, but this is pretty rare. Public aren't really aware. In Rugby it gets exposed here frequently, but there's always further pathways with rugby, but much less so with cricket in NZ. 

I think this rating the bowler on the quality of his opposition is a nonsense. The bowler prepares for a series with intensity and then bowls in the matches fully expecting a worthy opponent..with that same intensity. The bowler shud not be penalised if the batsman is not up to Test standard. 

Well you can say the ratings are nonsense entirely, but you seem fond of reminding us where Cummins and Smith rate on the system :P 

I personally don't agree with the win bonus. If you bowl well, you bowl well, your rating should not depend on your team mates. I don't really buy into Geoff Howarth being rated higher on the all time peak list than Crowe. I think very very very few people would accept that. But anomalies happen. But these bonuses are small, or nurgatory when playing a top team and doing well but losing, like Roach did vs India. He's right up there on the rankings with Holder now. But Howarth better than Crowe? Never. Just never. Same for Taylor too, tbh.

But seriously, and for example, the standardization attempt you complain about  is just to demonstrate tail end Chris Martin's wickets is worth less than Kane Williamsons. This really only effects tail end bullies, who aren't getting the top 7 or so out.  

My biggest gripe with the ratings is the minimum cut offs are too high. CdG could potentially retire before hitting non penalty zone for bowling, as NZ play so few tests. It's incredibly biased against countries that don't play many tests. Everyone who is a true cricket fan and not a patriot knows Abbas is kicking ass, but look at his rating. Below Boult and Wagner? I don't think so. And I'm a Kiwi. Mind you, NZ showed the world he can be tamed, then SA followed, so maybe its fair in another way ;)

What happened to Yasir Shah?

Thought he was number one?

Broad doesn't always seem to travel well, but over the last decade has been immense in home ashes series at least. Despite Jimmy getting the hype, I struggle to remember a series where Broad wasn't the pick of the pom bowlers. He was in this series also IMO, despite the hype around Archer. He always seemed to have us at 2 for not many and on the back foot early. The Ashes aren't everything of course and I haven't followed other series as closely.

In the end it's tough to take a series where your openers are nipped out early for next to nothing, in every single match. Broad against our openers...11 wickets @ 5 apeice with an average stay at the crease per wicket of around 13 deliveries.

Which then leaves Australia, outbowled by India, ranking lower that NZ and WI, as world class? How is that possible? Is Cummins that good?

A bit harsh to make a judgement under those circumstances (if you are referring to the last B/G series?). We were in turmoil with a new coach, a new captain and the main directive from CA involved reinventing our image, our only two world class batsmen suspended and team moral at an all time low point. Almost anyone would have beat us.

One ordinary series is unlikely to be representative of overall standard IMO, particularly under the circumstances. 

I think Bumrah is the best in the world at the moment, but under normal circumstances India aren't outbowling us in Aus, nor are they taking a series.

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Home or away home venue

Start of match date greater than or equal to 1 Jan 2010

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Player	Span	Mat	Inns	Overs	Mdns	Runs	Wkts	BBI	BBM	Ave	Econ	SR	5	10
JM Anderson	2010-2019	57	110	2126.5	609	5595	264	7/42	11/71	21.19	2.63	48.3	15	3
SCJ Broad	2010-2019	64	124	2227.3	520	6699	264	8/15	11/121	25.37	3.00	50.6	10	2

Heya, thanks for your thoughts and reply. I'll let the numbers talk for Broad and Anderson at home. Jimmy is getting those wickets cheaper and slightly faster too. In the past 3 years, Anderson has gone freak mode at home and averaged well under 20 all three seasons. 

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Player	Span	Mat	Inns	Overs	Mdns	Runs	Wkts	BBI	BBM	Ave	Econ	SR	5	10
JM Anderson	2016-2018	20	39	671.0	199	1615	102	7/42	10/45	15.83	2.40	39.4	7	1
SCJ Broad	2016-2018	21	41	674.3	174	1960	68	4/21	6/66	28.82	2.90	59.5	0	0

Even with Broad's latest series - there is quite a distance between Jimmy and Broady.

Broad is lucky to be in the team still really cos others keep getting injured - like Stone who England really want for his pace, or TRJ with his bounce off a seam.

Overall figures

Player	Span	Mat	Inns	Overs	Mdns	Runs	Wkts	BBI	BBM	Ave	Econ	SR	5	10
OP Stone	2019-2019	1	1	12.0	3	29	3	3/29	3/29	9.66	2.41	24.0	0	0
JM Anderson	2016-2019	21	40	675.0	202	1616	102	7/42	10/45	15.84	2.39	39.7	7	1
TS Roland-Jones	2017-2017	4	8	89.2	23	334	17	5/57	8/129	19.64	3.73	31.5	1	0
JC Archer	2019-2019	4	8	156.0	34	446	22	6/45	8/85	20.27	2.85	42.5	2	0
CR Woakes	2016-2019	15	30	423.0	89	1329	64	6/17	11/102	20.76	3.14	39.6	3	1
SM Curran	2018-2019	7	13	126.5	25	398	19	4/74	5/92	20.94	3.13	40.0	0	0
SCJ Broad	2016-2019	27	53	876.4	211	2652	98	5/86	7/79	27.06	3.02	53.6	1	0
MJ Leach	2019-2019	5	8	104.4	20	336	12	4/49	4/56	28.00	3.21	52.3	0	0
MM Ali	2016-2019	18	34	473.2	73	1769	59	6/53	10/112	29.98	3.73	48.1	3	1
AU Rashid	2018-2018	5	8	87.0	10	309	10	3/101	4/147	30.90	3.55	52.2	0	0
BA Stokes	2016-2019	19	32	417.2	74	1429	44	6/22	6/63	32.47	3.42	56.9	1	0

In fact, for both England and tourists both, Broad is below the average for Seamers in England since 2016... Here is the England average:

England

17

2016-2019

27

6082

167*

26.21

8

387

7/42

23.96

15

170

6

2.25

Broad weighs the attack down according to the numbers. No matter how valuable he seems to England. The next is for every seamer - tourists as well.

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Host Country	Players	Span	Mat	Inns	Overs	Mdns	Runs	Wkts	BBI	BBM	Ave	Econ	SR	5	10
in England	68	2016-2019	27	388	6094.5	1309	19112	723	7/42	11/102	26.43	3.13	50.5	24	2

68 fast bowlers have played in England in this time. This is quite some sample to get a feel for Broad and where he is at, and why Jimmy gets the hype. So that's my take on Broad done.

I can take your point that Aus v India was a new captain and what not. But the Indian seam attack didn't announce itself in Australia when they outbowled Starc and Haze. They announced themselves much earlier in the year when they took on and destroyed SA - which the Aus attack was failing to match after the first test over there. SA only won cos of ABdV magic and their own destructive bowlers. The games were shootouts. India then more than competed, thanks only to their bowlers, in England against an Anderson who was on fire averaging like 14. 

Bhuevnish Kumar cannot even make the Indian team. Look at his record. Its excellent. Dropped after averaging 20 in SA... The same season your Aussie boys were there.

I'm not fond of the BCCI, but credit due where its due, BCCI have a great seam attack. Sharma, who used to be the laughing stock of world cricket, is bowling slower, tighter, and more controlled than ever before. And he is getting rewards. Shami has pace and an outswinger, 150 clicks, then there is Bumrah. They have Kumar, a lovely swing bowler, carrying the drinks. And Yadav if they get desperate. 

Here are the bowling averages for pace bowlers by team since 2015 started, and it becomes obvious that India only went beserk with their attack since Bumrah in 2018. But - they are still beating your seamers in every segment. And these guys have had to play a lot of games in India, come on. Give India some credit, their seam attack has taken their team to a whole new level, that they were never at before.

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Team	Players	Span	Mat	Runs	HS	Bat Av	100	Wkts	BBI	Bowl Av	5	Ct	St	Ave Diff
Zimbabwe	4	2018-2018	2	170	52	17.00	0	17	5/71	19.76	1	1	0	-2.76
South Africa	11	2018-2019	14	2146	126*	20.05	2	211	6/21	21.29	9	54	0	-1.23
West Indies	8	2018-2019	14	1315	202*	19.05	1	172	8/62	21.95	10	28	0	-2.89
India	9	2018-2019	17	3200	153	26.89	6	215	6/27	22.25	11	53	0	4.63
Ireland	8	2018-2019	3	606	118	21.64	1	36	5/13	24.22	1	4	0	-2.57
Pakistan	9	2018-2019	11	653	83	17.18	0	118	5/33	24.74	4	7	0	-7.56
New Zealand	6	2018-2019	11	1977	264*	38.76	4	144	6/30	25.18	7	35	0	13.57
England	14	2018-2019	22	4872	146*	24.48	7	250	6/17	26.41	8	120	6	-1.93
Australia	11	2018-2019	18	3399	171	24.27	6	219	6/23	26.90	8	114	3	-2.62
Afghanistan	4	2018-2019	3	377	92	26.92	0	12	3/41	29.16	0	5	0	-2.23
Sri Lanka	10	2018-2019	18	2520	158*	25.20	3	118	5/54	32.10	2	38	0	-6.90
Bangladesh	8	2018-2019	11	423	149	13.64	1	24	3/38	63.08	0	13	0	-49.43

So lets wind back the clock then... 

Batting | Bowling | Fielding | All-round | Partnership | Team | Umpire and referee | Aggregate/overall

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Start of match date greater than or equal to 1 Jan 2016

Type of bowler (by style) pace bowler

Grouped by team

Ordered by bowling average (ascending)

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Overall figures

Team	Players	Span	Mat	Runs	HS	Bat Av	100	Wkts	BBI	Bowl Av	5	Ct	St	Ave Diff
South Africa	17	2016-2019	35	5387	126*	22.72	6	487	7/112	22.51	21	118	0	0.21
Ireland	8	2018-2019	3	606	118	21.64	1	36	5/13	24.22	1	4	0	-2.57
India	9	2016-2019	40	7202	243	34.45	19	362	6/27	24.93	13	127	0	9.52
Australia	16	2016-2019	40	6271	181	24.21	9	444	6/23	27.93	16	205	12	-3.72
England	18	2016-2019	50	11170	258	26.46	16	571	7/42	27.95	21	297	12	-1.48
West Indies	11	2016-2019	32	2936	202*	18.58	3	313	8/62	27.98	15	53	0	-9.39
New Zealand	10	2016-2019	29	4523	264*	29.95	8	369	7/39	28.08	14	97	0	1.87
Afghanistan	4	2018-2019	3	377	92	26.92	0	12	3/41	29.16	0	5	0	-2.23
Pakistan	12	2016-2019	28	2441	91	17.56	0	283	6/44	29.78	9	29	0	-12.22
Sri Lanka	14	2016-2019	40	6055	196	23.74	9	249	6/122	37.61	5	102	0	-13.86
Zimbabwe	12	2016-2018	10	1319	147	19.68	1	56	5/71	42.1	1	18	0	-22.42
Bangladesh	11	2016-2019	22	1090	149	13.97	1	66	4/84	61.31	0	27	0	-47.34

Shall we go back further still?

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Start of match date greater than or equal to 1 Jan 2015

Type of bowler (by style) pace bowler

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Ordered by bowling average (ascending)

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Team	Players	Span	Mat	Runs	HS	Bat Av	100	Wkts	BBI	Bowl Av	5	Ct	St	Ave Diff
South Africa	17	2015-2019	43	6347	148	22.27	7	544	7/112	22.93	22	139	2	-0.66
Ireland	8	2018-2019	3	606	118	21.64	1	36	5/13	24.22	1	4	0	-2.57
India	11	2015-2019	49	8641	243	34.15	24	402	6/27	26.38	15	159	0	7.76
Australia	19	2015-2019	53	7662	181	24.79	12	621	6/23	27.45	21	230	12	-2.66
England	21	2015-2019	64	13655	258	25.52	18	747	8/15	28.13	27	358	13	-2.61
Afghanistan	4	2018-2019	3	377	92	26.92	0	12	3/41	29.16	0	5	0	-2.23
New Zealand	10	2015-2019	37	5662	264*	28.16	9	474	7/39	29.93	16	127	0	-1.76
West Indies	11	2015-2019	42	4394	202*	19.44	5	379	8/62	30.62	16	75	0	-11.18
Pakistan	14	2015-2019	36	2759	125	16.82	1	332	6/44	31.00	10	34	0	-14.18
Sri Lanka	15	2015-2019	51	8221	196	23.82	14	352	6/122	35.71	6	131	0	-11.88
Zimbabwe	12	2016-2018	10	1319	147	19.68	1	56	5/71	42.10	1	18	0	-22.42
Bangladesh	13	2015-2019	27	1259	149	13.98	1	76	4/37	60.44	0	29	0	-46.45

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I just don't buy into Aus seamers being as good as India's at present. And I think SA has been continuously world class for a long time.