We have often heard the term Bowling Average while talking about cricket, but not all understand it. Bowling average is the ratio of the number of runs allowed divided by the number of wickets taken. The lower the bowling average, the better the bowler is. It is generally used besides the economy and strike rate and is a significant statistic that reveals the capability of the bowler.
1. Johnny Briggs
Johnny Briggs was a former slow left-arm orthodox bowler. He played his first test match against Australia at Adelaide on 12 December 1884 and his last game on 29 June 1899 against Australia at Leeds. John played 33 games and took 118 wickets with an average of 17.75 and an economy of 2.35 with nine 5-wicket hauls and four 10-wicket hauls.
2. JC Laker
James Charles Laker was a former right-arm off-break bowler on the English side. He made his test debut against West Indies at Bridgetown on 21 January 1948 and his last game against Australia at Melbourne on 13 February 1959. Laker holds the record of best bowling figure in an innings where James took ten wickets in an innings against Australia by giving 53 runs. He also has the best bowling figure in a match where he took 19 wickets in the same game against Australia by giving 90 runs. Laker played 46 games and took 193 wickets with an average of 21.24 and an economy of 2.04 with nine 5-wicket hauls and three 10-wicket hauls.
3. FS Trueman
Fredrick Sewards Trueman was a former right-hand batter and right-arm fast bowler who played for England's cricket team. The player was the first fast bowler from any country to take 300 wickets. He made his test debut in 1952 and played 67 matches. He is the fifth bowler to take maximum wickets in test cricket with a wicket count of 307. His bowling average was 21.57, and his economy was 2.61. The bowler took 17 five-wickets hauls and three ten-wicket hauls.
4. Hedley Verity
Hedley Verity was a former slow left-arm orthodox bowler on the English side. He played his first test match against New Zealand at The Oval on 29 July 1931 and his last match on 24 June 1939 against West Indies at Lord's. Headley played 40 games and took 144 wickets with an average of 24.37 and an economy of 1.88 with five 5-wicket hauls and two 10-wicket hauls.
5. JB Statham
John Brian Statham was a former left-hand batter and right-arm fast-medium in the England cricket team who was one of the best English bowlers in cricket's history. He is unquestionably the most liked cricketer ever. The player made his test debut in 1951 against New Zealand at Christchurch and his last game against South Africa at The Oval in 1965. He played 70 matches and took 252 wickets with a bowling average of 24.84 and an economy of 2.33. He took nine five-wicket hauls and one ten-wicket haul.
6. AV Bedser
Alec Victor Bedser was a former right-hand batter and right-arm medium-fast bowler in the England cricket team. Popular as Sir Alec Bedser, he was an inswinger who made his test debut in 1946. He played 51 matches and took 236 wickets with a bowling economy of 24.89 and an economy of 2.21. Bedser has taken fifteen five-wicket hauls and five-ten wicket hauls.
7. RGD Wilis
Robert George Dylan Willis was a former right-hand batter and right-arm fast bowler in the England cricket team. He is deemed to be one of the most daring bowlers in the history of England cricket. The player made his Test debut in 1971 against Australia. He has played 90 matches in which he took 325 wickets with an average of 25.20. His economy was 2.33, and he took 16 five-wicket hauls.
8. GAR Lock
Graham Anthony Richard Lock was a former slow left-arm orthodox bowler on the English side. He played his first test match against India at Manchester on 17 July 1952 and played his last game against West Indies at Georgetown on 28 March 1968. Lock played 49 games and took 174 wickets with an average of 25.58 and an economy of 2.03 with nine 5-wicket hauls and three 10-wicket hauls.
9. DL Underwood
Derek Leslie Underwood is a former right-hand batter and slow left-arm orthodox bowler in England's cricket team. Nicknamed Deadly, the left-arm spinner was a nightmare for the batters of the rival team. He made his test debut in 1966 against West Indies. The England bowler took 297 wickets in 86 matches with a bowling average of 2.10. His economy was 2.10, and he took 17 five-wicket hauls and six ten-wicket hauls.
10. Michael Hendrick
Michael Hendrick was a former right-arm fast-medium bowler on the English side. He made his test appearance against India at Manchester in 1974 and his last match against Australia at The Oval in 1981. Mike played 30 games and took 87 wickets with an average of 25.83 and an economy of 2.17.
