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[toenails97]

Definitely Steyn he's lethal!

[jamielsn15]

I think we're agreed they're the top two in the world at the moment.

I'd pick Steyn for everywhere bar England and New Zealand, where I think Anderson would be more dangerous.

[dmacwana]

Steyn ...every day most definitely, attacking , fast genuine wicket taking bowler.

[mattw]

I'd like to see this SA attack in India and the sub continent, see how they would get on without a top spinner.

[Gerry SA]

Deluded Englishman Harmison talking rubbish again.

Harmison  should remember he will all ways be a laughing stock for bowling deliveries to 2nd slip.

Anderson isn't anyway near Steyn.

Steyn is by miles the best bowler in the world

Anderson averages 30. Hardly world class. He had a couple of decent years.

Steyn's career has been fantastic.

Steyn is an all time great.

Anderson isn't.

[Gerry SA]

I'd like to see this SA attack in India and the sub continent, see how they would get on without a top spinner.

We have drawn 3 consecutive series in India without a 'top spinner'

West Indies of the 80s didn't need a top class spinner.

Why should the Proteas be any different?

[The_Bird]

I'd like to see this SA attack in India and the sub continent, see how they would get on without a top spinner.

I'd dread to think what the Proteas would do to India at the moment, it would be an absolute blood bath. A top 6 who can't play the short ball and average bowlers who cannot bowl consistently. One sided would be an understatement

[PedalsMcgrew]

Deluded Englishman Harmison talking rubbish again.

Harmison  should remember he will all ways be a laughing stock for bowling deliveries to 2nd slip.

Anderson isn't anyway near Steyn.

Steyn is by miles the best bowler in the world

Anderson averages 30. Hardly world class. He had a couple of decent years.

Steyn's career has been fantastic.

Steyn is an all time great.

Anderson isn't.

Nice balanced post this ^ 

[SLCRICKETFAN]

Steyn for me, his pace gives him the edge over Anderson. In swinging conditions you would obviously go with Anderson though.

[ppccopener]

most of us(english supporters) acknowledge Steyn is top class at the moment and the Proteus have an awesome pace attack but Harmison is far from deluded,he got to number 1 in the world(briefly yes) but that status don't come from the sweet shop.He was genuinely quick and on his day unplayable,when it was'nt his day it could go all over the shop.Anderson is world class and,same as Steyn,has done it on batter friendly pitches unlike the old days....
Some of us remember Devon Malcolm destroying a frightened South Africa team with 9 for a few years ago.
The only delusion there was SA thinking you can hit the ball at square leg

[jamielsn15]

Gotta admit, I've never quite understood the biased, one-eyed opinions; Harmison's not some amateur or hack who doesn't know the game, he's forgotten far more than most of us will ever know.

You're far more likely to be listened to if you offer a balanced opinion.  Nothing wrong with favouring your local guy, but let us know why; after all, you know his capabilities far more than those from different nations, but be prepared to listen to and accept differing opinions, such as Anderson's qualities as an undoubted top-class swing bowler who's also done it across different continents.  Otherwise we descend to the level of football fans ( ) - totally tribal and one-eyed and ranty shouty...

It's a great thread which deserves a reasoned debate 

[Gerry SA]

Gotta admit, I've never quite understood the biased, one-eyed opinions; Harmison's not some amateur or hack who doesn't know the game, he's forgotten far more than most of us will ever know.

You're far more likely to be listened to if you offer a balanced opinion.  Nothing wrong with favouring your local guy, but let us know why; after all, you know his capabilities far more than those from different nations, but be prepared to listen to and accept differing opinions, such as Anderson's qualities as an undoubted top-class swing bowler who's also done it across different continents.  Otherwise we descend to the level of football fans ( ) - totally tribal and one-eyed and ranty shouty...

It's a great thread which deserves a reasoned debate 

Care to explain where Anderson has shown he's capable of being a world class swing in all continents?

Anderson averages nearly 36 in Australia. Nothing world class there.

Averages nearly 37 in NZ, certainly not world class

Averages nearly 38 in SA, yep you guess it not very world class

Averages nearly 40 in the Carribean, certainly not world class.

Averages 40 in SL. Not world class.

So apart from in England, Anderson averages 27 and India average of a shade below 30, Anderson is the furthest from being world class.

[Gerry SA]

The real comparison would be Anderson vs Johnson.

Can be destructive on their day, but not a great as Steyn.

[cricketbadger]

Calm down Gerry its clear you feel Steyn is far superiour
Andersons early career stats lets him down when it comes to his average
over the last few years his bowling has developed massively and he's has become more consistent and moved closer to being on Steyn's level

[jamielsn15]

Care to explain where Anderson has shown he's capable of being a world class swing in all continents?

Anderson averages nearly 36 in Australia. Nothing world class there.

Averages nearly 37 in NZ, certainly not world class

Averages nearly 38 in SA, yep you guess it not very world class

Averages nearly 40 in the Carribean, certainly not world class.

Averages 40 in SL. Not world class.

So apart from in England, Anderson averages 27 and India average of a shade below 30, Anderson is the furthest from being world class.

Gerry, see where you've gone with that, and I wasn't entirely clear - yes, Anderson is a top class swing bowler, but he's performed generally well in all conditions (not least in India, last series, etc).

As one of your compatriots pointed out to me in a different post some time ago, stats ain't everything, it's the game situation at the time.  Anderson has won - or significantly impacted - on many tests that England have won.

I'm not saying he's better than Steyn, or that he's world class - I think he's probably number 2 in a list of current test pace bowlers and that Steyn is number 1.  But, in swing conditions in England and New Zealand I'd pick him over Steyn.  Give me Steyn everywhere else and I'm happy.  In short, I'm not disagreeing with you, just not appreciating the ranty, biased tones and certainly not the sarcasm.

But, hey, thanks for going on cricinfo and doing your research, how's all that free time working out for you?