Former Australia captain Michael Clarke (Picture: Getty)
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has hailed India star Jasprit Bumrah as the ‘best fast bowler of all time’ across all three formats.
Bumrah underlined his status as the best bowler in the world during India’s recent defeat to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
While India went down 3-1 – losing their second series on the bounce following a shock defeat at home to New Zealand and failing to qualify for the World Test Championship final – Bumrah was immense, taking 32 wickets at an average of 13.
Given Bumrah is also the best white-ball bowler in the world – he averages 23 in 50-over cricket and goes at less than seven-runs-an-over in T20s – Clarke believes he may well be the best all-format bowler of all time.
‘The thing I’ve thought about Bumrah, after the series finished and I was sitting and thinking about his performances, I actually think he’s the best fast bowler ever across all three formats,’ Clarke told ESPNcricinfo.
‘I know a lot of great fast bowlers, Curtly Ambrose, Glenn McGrath, didn’t get to play T20 cricket, so I’m not talking about those guys, but in regards to anyone who has played all three formats, I think he might be the best ever.
Jasprit Bumrah enhanced his reputation even further during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy (Picture: Getty)
‘He’s actually that good in any conditions, that’s what makes him great; any conditions, any format, this guy’s a freak.’
Another former Australia cricketer, Brad Haddin, also heaped praise on Bumrah following his scintillating performances during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
‘By the time he finishes his career, we will be talking about him in the same breath as Glenn McGrath and Wasim Akram,’ the ex-wicketkeeper said on the Willow Talk podcast.
India were beaten by Australia despite Bumrah’s heroics with the ball (Picture: Getty)
‘He was that influential over the series. I wouldn’t put him on top of that league. He’s got a long way to go. He’s got 200 Test wickets.
‘But if he continues the same way he is going, his name will be in that conversation.’
India beat Australia in a one-sided opening Test but were outplayed for much of the rest of the series as the hosts booked their place in this summer’s World Test Championship final, where they will face South Africa at Lord’s.
Following the series defeat, Bumrah said: ‘There are lots of ifs and buts. The whole series was well fought and today as well we were in the game, so it was not like it was totally one-sided.
‘This is how Test cricket goes in those moments when whatever team holds their nerve for the longest time, sticks together and tries to find a way out of that will win the series.
‘It was a great series, congratulations to Australia, they fought really well for a well-deserved win.’
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