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All the formats in cricket have got pretty much to do with patient and consistent gameplay. The players must dig in to be able to properly execute what can work for them. The bowlers require a great deal of strength to close an inning without faltering much. There have been many bowlers over the years who have been able to perform their best and notch top records in all the formats. Let us have a look at some of the top bowlers in different formats of the game.
Top 10 Bowlers in One Day Internationals (ODIs)
1. Joel Garner
Coming from a side that would often be a hub of tall players, Joel Garner of West Indies was amongst the ones to stand out perfectly. The right-hander rose to prominence between the mid-1970s and 1980s and was well known for his eroding yorkers. Touching the roof with his 6ft 8in, Garner is one of the tallest players in international cricket as well as the best ODI player of all time.
2. Sir Richard Hadlee
Sir Richard Hadlee of New Zealand is surely one of the greatest ODI bowlers of all time. The former Kiwi player picked 158 wickets from 115 matches in the One Day Internationals. Hadlee also proved to be an essential bowling all-rounder for his team in his time.
3. Shaun Pollock
Shaun Pollock turned out to be another cricketer from the family where his father Peter Pollock led the South African side in the 1960s and his uncle Graeme Pollock was one of the finest batters to play the game. Pollock may have also been able to make his ancestors proud as he is the eighth-highest wicket-taker of all time in international cricket. Pollock had an outstanding record of picking 393 wickets from 303 matches in One Day Internationals.
Learn about: Best Spin Bowlers in The World
4. Muttiah Muralitharan
The illustrious career of Muttiah Muralitharan, hailing from Sri Lanka, remains unparalleled. He stands tall as the highest wicket-taker in ODI cricket, with a jaw-dropping tally of 534 wickets. Muralitharan’s mastery in spinning the ball, combined with an unorthodox bowling action, bewildered batsmen worldwide. His ability to pick wickets in all conditions makes him a true legend of the game.
5. Glenn McGrath
The Australian pace legend, Glenn McGrath, occupies the third position with 381 highest ODI wickets taker. Nicknamed “Pigeon,” McGrath was a master of accuracy and consistency. His nagging line and length troubled batsmen to no end, and his ability to take early breakthroughs swung matches in Australia’s favour.
6. Ewen Chatfield
Known for his outstanding record of spells with fellow compatriot Richard Hadlee, Ewen Chatfield had quite an eventful career in One Day Internationals. Chatfield made his debut for New Zealand’s ODI team in 1979 against West Indies. The right-arm bowler had 140 wickets from 114 matches in the 50-over format.
7. Denis Lillee
Dennis Lillee, a fearsome fast bowler from Australia, was a true match-winner. Renowned for his aggressive approach, Lillee possessed the ability to swing the ball both ways, making him a constant threat to batsmen. His precision and skill allowed him to thrive in diverse conditions, and his knack for picking wickets made him an indispensable asset for his team. Lillee’s legacy remains unmatched, and he is celebrated as one of cricket’s all-time greats.
8. Malcolm Marshal
Regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time, Malcolm Marshall from the West Indies was a force to be reckoned with. With his devastating pace and ability to generate steep bounce, he instilled fear in even the most resolute batsmen. What made him truly dangerous was his mastery of the bouncer, often using it as a lethal weapon to unsettle opponents. His fiery spells terrorized batting line-ups, and his legacy as a cricketing legend endures to this day.
Know more: Most Dangerous Bowlers in the World
9. Curtly Ambrose
Caribbean player Curtly Ambrose is known for giving a hard time to batsmen whenever he used to bowl. The right-hander would often rattle the batting line-up single-handedly. Ambrose’s bowling often proved to be devastating as well catastrophic for many batsmen who played against him.
10. Michael Holding
Holding was also known by the name of ‘whispering death’ in the field due to his calm and serene run-up in the bowling. Holding is often regarded as one of the greatest players in his team of all time. The West Indian was the most composed fast bowler in the West Indies line-up. His outstanding ability to bowl unexpected bouncers paid dividends at many crucial junctures of the game, making him one of the reliant seamers of his side.
Top 10 Bowlers in T20 internationals
1. Umar Gul
Former Pakistani bowler Umar Gul is the best T20 bowler of all time. Making his debut in 2009, Gul picked a total of 85 wickets from 60 matches. The right-hander was also a great batting all-rounder, scoring runs at some crucial junctures of the game.
2. Samuel Badree
Former West Indian leggie Samuel Badree was an invaluable asset to his team in the T20 internationals. Spinning stories with his rapidly cutting deliveries, Badree won many matches for the Windies. Playing a total of 52 matches, Badree picked 56 wickets in his career.
3. Daniel Vettori
Daniel Vettori, a crafty left-arm spinner from New Zealand, is counted among the best spin bowlers due to his exceptional control and ability to adapt to different conditions. Vettori had a total of 38 wickets from 34 matches in the shortest format of the game.
4. Tabraiz Shamsi
Left-arm chinaman Tabraiz Shamsi is widely regarded for his flighted deliveries and dancing run-up in his bowling. The left-hander has been an asset for his team with 76 wickets from 63 matches over the years. Shamsi is also known for his economical bowling and his ability to annoy the bowlers with his unreadable spinning deliveries.
Also Check: Top 10 Best Bowlers in India
5. Sunil Narine
Also known as ‘The Man from Trinidad’, Sunil Narine often accomplished his name as one of the best T20 spinners in the world. Narine’s awesome ability to spin the ball both ways made it impossible for all the batsmen to figure out what would come next. The right-handed bowler has also been a fabulous batter with some breathtaking strokes in his Arsenal.
6. Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan’s rise as the best spinner in the world showcases Afghanistan’s cricketing prowess. His unique bowling action and mastery over leg-spin variations have earned him global recognition. In the world of cricket, spin bowlers hold a special place, and the best spin bowlers in the world have elevated this art form to new heights. Their ability to outthink and outmanoeuvre batsmen is a testament to their skill and dedication. As the game evolves, these spin wizards will continue to inspire aspiring cricketers and leave a lasting legacy.
7. Shahid Afridi
Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has had numerous records to his name in both bowling and batting. The leg-spinner picked 98 wickets with an exemplary economy of 6.63 in a career spanning nearly 12 years.
8. Josh Hazlewood
One of the most consistent bowlers from the Australian line-up, Josh Hazlewood was widely recognised for his length and execution at any given point in the game. The right-handed bowler has picked 58 wickets from 41 matches in T20 internationals and is counted amongst the best players in T20 history.
9. Wanindu Hasaranga
Right-arm leg spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has surely got more to do apart from his wrist-spinning abilities because the former is a fabulous mystery spinner. The Sri Lankan has picked a fabulous 91 wickets from 58 matches in T20s, clearly showcasing his ability to pick timely wickets
10. Imran Tahir
Known for his cheerfully expressive nature on the ground, former South African leggie, Imran Tahir was a playfully quaint spinner too. Tahir was one the finest spinners for his country in the limited over formats of the game, picking 63 wickets from 38 matches.
Top 10 Bowlers in Tests
1. Sydney Barnes
Former Australian cricketer, late Sydney Barnes established his career as the best test cricketer in history. Barnes had a total of 189 wickets from 27 matches at an average of 16.43.
2. George Lohmann
Late Former England bowler George Lohmann is widely recognised as one of the greatest test bowlers of all time. Lohmann was widely characterized as one of the toughest bowlers to face in test cricket, picking an impressive 112 wickets from just 18 matches.
3. Imran Khan
One of the most legendary cricketers of Pakistan, Imran Khan was considered one of the best test all-rounders the game has ever had. Talking of his bowling, Imran had 362 wickets from just 88 matches in tests.
Must Read: Fastest Bowlers in Cricket History
4. Muttiah Muralitharan
Former Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan was a force to reckon with in every format of the game, let alone in test cricket. Stealing the spotlight in many matches he played, the spin wizard had a whopping 800 wickets from 133 matches he played.
5. Pat Cummins
Australian quickie Pat Cummins had rattled the nerves of many batsmen he has bowled to. The right-handed bowler is also a handy batsman when it comes to playing test cricket. At an average of 22.95, Cummins has picked 239 wickets from 55 matches.
6. Glenn McGrath
Former Australian cricketer Glenn McGrath did not really confine his execution to test cricket. McGrath has a total of 563 wickets from just 124 matches at an average of 21.64 in the longest format of the game.
7. Vernon Philander
Former South African cricketer Vernon Philander was one of the most reliant players for his country, owing to his wonderful length and line of deliveries. The right-hander was one of the vital forces for South Africa over the years in their bowling arsenal. Philander had 224 wickets from 64 matches at an average of 22.32 in test cricket.
8. Curtly Ambrose
Often regarded as one of the most destructive bowlers in the world, former West Indies cricketer Curtly Ambrose was the last bowler any batsman would want to face in test cricket. Ambrose had spell-binding records in tests, picking 405 wickets from 98 matches at an average of 20.99.
9. Tony Lock
Late former England spinner Tony Lock was also one of the finest bowlers of his time. In tests, Lock had 174 wickets from 49 matches at an average of 25.58
10. Ian Botham
Ian Botham of England is yet another English player who finds himself in this list. Picking 383 wickets from 102 matches at an average of 28.40, Botham didn’t just leave his mark in bowling but was also a decent batter for his team
