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Lillee forever, Steyn today

Eight former fast bowlers pick their all-time and current favourite quicks

Malcolm Marshall: speed, swing, accuracy and determination  •  Getty Images

Malcolm Marshall: speed, swing, accuracy and determination  •  Getty Images

All-time favourite fast bowler Dennis Lillee. He was a complete package. He had a presence. He ran in straight at you, hard and fast, with a wonderful side-on technique. He had the skills. He could intimidate to get you out. Three hundred and fifty five Test wickets, striking at five per Test. Statistically there might be better bowlers, but Lillee was the always the role model for me.
Current favourite
James Anderson has been impressive - outswinger, inswinger, good control. He is lively and has really come on in the last few years. He is probably the No.1 fast bowler at the moment, followed by Steyn and Morne Morkel.
All-time favourite fast bowler My two favourite fast bowlers of all time are Wasim Akram and Glenn McGrath. Akram, to me, had done things with a cricket ball not too many people could do: he could swing the ball, new or old, any time of the day, any time of the match. He was just a special bowler. McGrath was very similar to me. We both kept it very simple: we could put the ball on the spot all day long, the whole week. It was just natural. Both of us just improved with years.
All-time favourite fast bowler Any one between Dennis Lillee, Michael Holding and Malcolm Marshall. Lillee - for his aggression, his control and that he could swing the ball both ways. Mikey - his smoothness, his pace and his consistency. Malcolm - his approach to fast bowling was very different and he could do anything with the ball both ways.
Current favourite
There is only one, Dale Steyn. I admire his approach to fast bowling, his aggression. And he is like me - you hardly ever see him smile because he has work to do.
All-time favourite fast bowler Malcolm Marshall, as a complete fast bowler. He stood out for his skills, swinging the ball, control, good pace, accuracy, determination. A very talented bowler. I learned a lot from him.
Current favourite
For England, Anderson is very good. I have always also been impressed by Fidel Edwards, who has good pace. The one that I would really like to see play but is always injured is Jerome Taylor. He has got a lot of ability and talent.
All-time favourite fast bowler Dennis Lillee was fantastic. His skills, his attitude would easily make him a mentor and hero. When you talk about a fast bowler you are talking about a specialist fast bowler. Dennis Lillee was that one.
Current favourite
I like Steyn. He is quick, he is a very good bowler, he has got the skills.
All-time favourite fast bowler My hero growing up was Dennis Lillee. But from my playing days, the guys who stand out for me, and I like watching, were Ambrose and Akram. I liked watching Curtly - he could just crack and get everyone one quickly, and he looked so laidback and relaxed. Akram just powered through the crease left-arm, could swing the ball both ways, was an incredible fast bowler.
Current favourite
To me, of the current, they have not played enough Test matches to really qualify for the best fast bowler grade. In saying that, I have definitely been impressed by the England fast bowling unit. Jimmy Anderson has always had good potential and he is now doing well outside of England. Bresnan has impressed me with the areas he bowls and builds good pressure, as does Broad.
All-time favourite fast bowler Dennis Lillee. He always gave a 100% on the field. He was a complete trier. He never gave up. And he was very hostile. He was a true great fast bowler.
Current favourite
Dale Steyn is the best. He is an out-and-out fast bowler. He has a lovely action, has good control, bowls a nice away-swinger and always looks like taking wickets.
All-time favourite fast bowler Growing up, Richard Hadlee was my hero. He was consistent, got so many wickets, and I followed him very closely. I still have all his books and videos and they taught me a lot. He was theguy I tried to copy. I was lucky to see him get his 400th Test wicket at Christchurch, where I was working on the sightscreens then.
Current favourite I was always impressed by Brett Lee, who paid a lot of attention to fitness and the way he went about his work. Dale Steyn is another very good athlete and a very good fast bowler.

Nagraj Gollapudi is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo