Most people think that West Indies cricketers are destructive batsmen and can only hit big sixes. But we have seen many West Indies bowlers who could swing or spin the ball and take big wickets at some crucial moments of the match. Their bowlers are as destructive as their batsmen, and here is a list of the top ten West Indies bowlers with the most wickets in a career.
10. Jason Holder
Jason Holder is a former captain and current all-rounder (right-handed batsman and right-arm medium-fast bowler). He made his international debut for West Indies in February 2013 in an ODI match against Australia. In January 2019, Holder was ranked at the top in the ICC test rankings for all-rounders and ranked tenth on the list with 295 international wickets.
9. Carl Hooper
Carl Hooper is a former right-handed batsman and right-arm off-break bowler (all-rounder) who made his international debut in March 1987 in an ODI match against New Zealand and played for West Indies till 2003. As a batsman, he scored more than 11,000 International runs with 20 centuries, and at a domestic level, Hooper is the only second player to score a century against all 18 county teams. Carl is in the ninth position on the list with 307 International wickets.
8. Lance Gibbs
Lance Gibbs is a former right-arm off-break bowler, considered one of the most successful spin bowlers in Test cricket history. He was the first spinner of cricket history to take 300 test wickets. Gibbs made his test debut in February 1958 against Pakistan and played for West Indies till 1976. He is in the eighth position on the list with 311 International wickets.
7. Dwayne Bravo
Dwayne Bravo is a right-handed batsman and right-arm medium-fast bowler (all-rounder) and is famous for his death bowling. Bravo made his debut in April 2004 in an ODI match against England and was a vital member of the West Indies World T20, winning squads at the 2012 and 2016 World T20. He is in the seventh position on the list with 361 international wickets.
6. Kemar Roach
Kemar Roach is a current right-arm fast bowler who made his international debut in June 2008 in a T20I match against Australia. He is capable of reaching 140 km/hr bowling speed quickly. In 2012, Roach became the first West Indies bowler to take ten wickets in a test match after 2005 and is in the sixth position on the list with 362 International wickets.
5. Michael Holding
Michael Holding is a former right-arm fast bowler, regarded as one of the greatest pace bowlers. He got the nickname ‘Whispering Death’ by umpire Bird for his run-up to the bowling crease. Holding made his test debut in November 1975 against Australia and played till 1987 for West Indies. He is in the fifth position on the list with 391 International wickets.
4. Joel Garner
Joel Garner is a former right-arm fast bowler and a vital member of the late 1970s and 1980s team of the West Indian National Cricket Team. Joel is the all-time highest-ranked ODI bowler as per the ICC best bowling ratings and was the tallest fast bowler to play test matches at the time. Garner is in the fourth position on the list with 405 International wickets.
3. Malcolm Marshall
Malcolm Marshall was a right-arm fast bowler and is considered the greatest and most accomplished fast bowler in test cricket. Marshall was a fearsome bowler with dangerous bouncers, and his bowling average is the best of anyone who has taken 200 or more test wickets. He played for West Indies for 14 years. Malcolm is in the third position on the list with 533 International wickets.
2. Curtly Ambrose
Sir Curtly Ambrose is a former right-arm fast bowler who made his international debut in 1988 in an ODI against Pakistan. He is one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history. In 1993 against Australia, Curtly bowled one of the best bowling spells of all time, taking figures of 7/1. Ambrose is in the second position on the list with 630 International wickets.
1. Courtney Walsh
Courtney Walsh is a former right-arm fast bowler, best known for his partnership bowling with Curtly Ambrose; he took 421 test wickets in 49 matches. Walsh became the first bowler in cricket history to take 500 test wickets and holds the record for the best bowling figures in a test match as a captain (13/52). Courtney is the most successful West Indie bowler and is in the top position on the list with 746 International wickets.
