Bowling in Test cricket is one of the most demanding and challenging tasks. The bowlers are entrusted with getting the opposition batters out as soon as possible. However, sometimes the bowlers have to go through the grind even to get one wicket, and hence the bowlers end up bowling long spells. We shall now list some of England's bowlers who have bowled the highest number of balls in Test cricket.
1. James Anderson
James Anderson is hands down the best swing bowler of all time and the most successful pace bowler in Test cricket. The 40-year-old right-arm fast bowler from Lancashire made his debut in 2003 against Zimbabwe at Lord’s. Until 2022, he had played in 175 Test matches, picking up 667 wickets at an average of 26.22. So far, he has bowled 37505 balls in Test cricket, the most by any fast bowler.
2. Stuart Broad
Stuart Broad, a right-arm fast bowler from Nottingham and Test cricket’s second most successful pace bowler, is next to feature on the list. Broad played his first Test match in 2007 against Sri Lanka at Colombo. Since then, he has played in 159 matches and picked up 566 wickets at an average of 27.77. Until now, he has bowled 31,982 balls in his Test career.
3. Derek Underwood
Derek Underwood was a slow left-arm orthodox bowler from Bromley, Kent. Derek was very accurate with his lines and lengths and was always a headache for the batters. He made his Test debut in 1966 against the West Indies at Nottingham and his Test career spanned until 1982. In 86 Test matches, he bowled 21,862 balls and picked up 297 wickets.
4. Ian Botham
Ian Botham was one of England’s most prolific all-rounders in the 80s. Ian batted as a right-handed batter and bowled right-arm fast medium. From 1977 to 1992, he represented England in 102 Test matches. He bowled 21,815 balls during his Test career and picked up 383 wickets at an average of 28.40.
5. Bob Willis
Bob Willis was a right-arm fast bowler from Sunderland, Co. Durham. Bob played his first Test match in 1971 against Australia at Sydney. He played for England in Test cricket until 1984, in a total of 90 matches. He bowled 17,357 balls in Test cricket and took 325 wickets at an average of 25.20.
6. Brian Statham
Brian Statham was a right-arm fast medium bowler from Manchester, Lancashire. In 1951, Brian played his first Test match against New Zealand at Christchurch. He went on to play for England in Test cricket until 1965 and featured in 70 matches. In 129 innings, he bowled 16,056 balls and picked up 252 wickets at an average of 24.84 and an economy of 2.33.
7. Alec Bedser
Alec Bedser, a right-arm fast medium bowler from Berkshire, is next on the list. Bedser was first seen playing for England in Test cricket in 1946 against India at Lord’s. Until 1955, he played in 51 Test matches and bowled 15,918 balls, picking up 236 wickets at an average of 24.89 and an economy of 2.21.
8. John Emburey
Next on the list is John Emburey, a right-arm off-break bowler from Peckham, London. John first played for England in Test cricket in 1978 against New Zealand at Lord’s. Until 1995, he played in 64 Test matches and bowled 15,391 runs in 103 innings. He took 147 wickets at an average of 38.40 and an economy of 2.20.
9. Graeme Swann
Graeme Swann is one of England’s most successful off-spinners and made his Test debut in 2008 against India at Chennai. Swann’s Test career spanned from 1983 until 2013, when he played in 60 matches. He bowled 15,349 balls during his Test career and picked up 255 wickets at an average of 29.96 with 17 five-wicket hauls to his name.
10. Fred Trueman
Fred Trueman was a right-arm fast bowler from Stainton, Yorkshire, who made his Test debut in 1952 against India at Leeds. He played 67 Tests and bowled 15,178 balls in 127 innings. He got to his name with 307 wickets at an average of 21.57 and an economy of 2.61.
[caption id="attachment_13845" align="aligncenter" width="668"]
Fred Trueman preparing to bowl for Yorkshire during the County Championship match between Yorkshire and Middlesex at North Marine Road, Scarborough, 21st July 1965. (Photo by Patrick Eagar/Popperfoto/Getty Images)[/caption]
