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The art of bowling in Test cricket is a true test of skill, stamina, and temperament. Throughout history, several bowlers have mastered this art, leaving their mark on the game with exceptional performances.
The ICC’s Best Ever Test Bowling Rankings provide a glimpse into the bowlers who have achieved legendary status. Let’s delve into the Top 10 Bowlers with Best Ever Test Bowling ICC Player Ranking of all time (as of May 18, 2024).
1. Sydney Barnes (England) – Ranking: 932
Career Best Rating: 932 v South Africa, 18/02/1914
Career Best Ranking: 1 v Australia, 19/12/1911
Sydney Barnes sits atop this prestigious list, a true pioneer of fast bowling. Playing in the early 20th century, Barnes terrorized batsmen with his swing and accuracy. His phenomenal bowling average of 16.43, a record that still stands today, is a testament to his dominance.
He made a name before another ball was accessible to an assault each such countless runs or overs. He entered top-of-the-line cricket when one ball needed to get the job done for the entire length of the batting side’s innings.
He played a total of 27 test matches and took 189 wickets. His best bowling figure is 103/9. He is considered as one of the best bowlers of his time.
2. George Lohmann (England) – Ranking: 931
Career Best Rating: 931 v South Africa, 06/03/1896
Career Best Ranking: 1 v Australia, 14/02/1888
Another English legend, George Lohmann, flanks Barnes at the top. A versatile bowler with exceptional control, Lohmann troubled batsmen with his off-spin and his ability to exploit swinging conditions. His bowling average of 10.75 is the second-best in Test history.
Add to the situation his metronomic exactness, and he was regularly unplayable. He was no mean batsman either, an armada of foot with a decent eye, and a splendid slip defender. He played a total of 18 matches and took 112 wickets. His best individual bowling figure is 28/9.
3. Imran Khan (Pakistan) – Ranking: 916
Career Best Rating: 922 v India, 03/02/1983
Career Best Ranking: 1 v England, 02/08/1982
Imran Khan, the charismatic Pakistani captain, was a true all-rounder. His fast-medium swing bowling was a nightmare for batsmen, and his leadership qualities inspired generations of cricketers. Imran’s bowling average of 22.81 reflects his consistent wicket-taking abilities.
He likewise made himself into an allrounder worth a spot for his batting alone and captained Pakistan just as anybody, adjusting his vocation with the 1992 World Cup. He played scarcely any homegrown cricket in Pakistan: rather he just flew in for home series from Worcestershire or Sussex, or rather from the trendier London salons.
His midpoints (37 with the bat, 22 with the ball) put him at the highest point of the group of four allrounders (Ian Botham, Richard Hadlee and Kapil Dev being the other people) who overwhelmed Test cricket during the 1980s.
4. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) – Ranking: 900
Career Best Rating: 920 v Bangladesh, 15/07/2007
Career Best Ranking: 1 v Zimbabwe, 08/01/2002
The Sri Lankan spin magician, Muttiah Muralitharan, revolutionized the art of spin bowling. His doosra and his variety of deliveries bamboozled batsmen across formats.
Muralitharan’s record-breaking 800 wickets in Test cricket solidifies his place as a legend, and his bowling average of 22.79 speaks volumes about his effectiveness.
What was certain was his capacity to turn the ball strongly on pretty much any surface, and bowl the kind of long-distance race spells that would have seen a lesser man resign after five seasons as opposed to 18. He played a total of 133 test matches and took 800 wickets.
5. Pat Cummins (Australia) – Ranking: 870
Career Best Rating: 914 v England, 18/08/2019
Career Best Ranking: 1 v England, 05/08/2019
The current pace spearhead of Australian bowling, Pat Cummins, finds himself in the elite company of legends. His express pace, swing bowling, and ability to take wickets at crucial junctures make him a valuable asset. Cummins’ rise in the rankings is a testament to his consistency and potential to climb even higher in the future.
Amid the parties, the discussion was about this astonishing quick bowler who had every one of the weapons a pacer required. He played a total of 62 test matches and took 269 wickets. His best bowling figure is 23/6.
6. Glenn McGrath (Australia) – Ranking: 870
Career Best Rating: 914 v England, 27/08/2001
Career Best Ranking: 1 v West Indies, 30/12/1996
The Australian fast-bowling legend, Glenn McGrath, needs no introduction. His accuracy, pace, and swing bowling made him a nightmare for batsmen on the biggest stage. McGrath’s bowling average of 21.64 and his 563 Test wickets solidify his place as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time.
His well-known organisation with Shane Warne harassed restrictions, devastating them intellectually to design unlikely triumphs that helped an untouched extraordinary Australian side support its fighting. He played a total of 124 test matches and took 563 wickets.
7. Vernon Philander (South Africa) – Ranking: 847
Career Best Rating: 912 v India, 22/12/2013
Career Best Ranking: 1 v India, 22/12/2013
The South African bowling stalwart, Vernon Philander, was known for his accuracy, swing, and ability to exploit seam movement. He formed a potent bowling partnership with Dale Steyn and troubled batsmen worldwide. Philander’s bowling average of 22.32 reflects his consistent wicket-taking abilities.
With the endowment of precision and the capacity to snack the ball off its crease, he’s become South Africa’s most solid weapon with the red cherry.
In any case, in addition to the fact that he is a splendid medium-pacer, he but at the same time is helpful with the bat in the lower request. He played a total of 64 matches and took 224 wickets.
8. Curtly Ambrose (West Indies) – Ranking: 840
Career Best Rating: 912 v England, 29/03/1994
Career Best Ranking: 1 v England, 08/07/1991
The fearsome West Indian fast bowler, Curtly Ambrose, was a part of the legendary pace attack of the 1980s and 90s. His raw pace, intimidating presence, and ability to swing the new ball made him a nightmare for opening batsmen.
Ambrose’s impressive bowling average of 20.99 and his 405 wickets in 98 Tests highlight his impact on the game. His peak rating of 840 reflects his ability to dismantle batting line-ups single-handedly.
Ambrose got his profession playing top-of-the-line cricket for the Leeward Islands in 1985/86. After this stretch, he was given a grant to play club cricket in England. He played a total of 98 test matches and took 405 wickets.
9. Tony Lock (England) – Ranking: 836
Career Best Rating: 912 v New Zealand, 28/07/1958
Career Best Ranking: 1 v New Zealand, 07/07/1958
Tony Lock, the English off-spinner, was a force to be reckoned with in the post-war era. His accuracy, flight, and ability to turn the ball prodigiously troubled batsmen on spin-friendly wickets.
Lock’s impressive bowling average of 25.58 and his 174 wickets in 49 Tests showcase his control and wicket-taking abilities. His peak rating of 836 reflects his dominance as one of the best spinners of his generation.
10. Ian Botham
Career Best Rating: 912 v India, 22/12/2013
Career Best Ranking: 1 v India, 22/12/2013
The legendary English all-rounder, Ian Botham, rounds out this list. A genuine fast-bowling all-rounder, Botham’s swing bowling and aggressive batting made him a true match-winner.
His impressive bowling average of 33.54 and his 383 wickets in 102 Tests highlight his all-round capabilities. His peak rating of 827 reflects his ability to take wickets and turn the tide of matches with his bowling.
With blood overflowing out plentifully, he spat out his messed-up teeth and kept on batting on resolute. After a helpless disagreement in Grade Cricket in Australia, Sir Ian made his Test debut against Australia at Trent Bridge in 1977 and he had an effect when he got 5/74 to put England on top.
This list showcases the diverse skillsets and eras of some of the greatest Test bowlers to have graced the game. From the raw pace of Barnes and Ambrose to the guile of Muralitharan and Lock, these bowlers have left an indelible mark on the history of Test cricket.
The ICC’s Best Ever Test Bowling Rankings provide a fascinating perspective on these bowling greats, allowing us to appreciate their dominance during their peak years. As the game continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see which new bowling talents emerge and challenge their place among the all-time greats.
