Cricket's popular favorites are batsmen, while Test matches are won by bowlers. A strong bowler can nearly single-handedly win you a cricket match. A superb bowler may destroy the opposition's batting order and set up an easy win for his team. The game would result in a tie if the bowlers fail to claim 20 wickets. Teams win ODIs and T20Is based on how many runs they score in the limited-overs forms. Although taking wickets can alter the course of a match, bowlers who keep batsmen in check by stopping the flow of runs are as useful. As a result of larger bats and more batting-friendly surfaces, the game now favors hitters. Even so, the top bowlers manage to succeed. They either bowl mind-blowing Yorkers and bouncers or add new deliveries, change the pace, or both.
The greatest match-winners in cricket history are as follows.
1. Muttiah Muralitharan
His test stats are purely remarkable, Matches Played – 133, Wickets – 800, Average – 22.72, Strike Rate – 55.0, Economy – 2.47, Best bowling Figure – 9/51. In the ODI his stats include Matches Played – 350, Wickets – 534, Average – 23.08, Strike Rate – 35.2, Economy – 3.93, Best bowling Figure – 7/30.
2. Glenn McGrath
The best fast bowler of all time is Glenn McGrath. Although he didn't bowl with an explosive pace, he was quite accurate and consistently bowled in the same line. Test Stats: Matches Played – 124, Wickets – 563, Average – 21.64, Strike Rate – 51.9, Economy – 2.49, Best bowling Figure – 8/24. ODI Stats: - Matches Played – 250, Wickets – 381, Average – 22.02, Strike Rate – 34.0, Economy – 3.88, Best bowling Figure – 7/15. The "Pigeon" excelled in ODI World Cups, taking 71 wickets at an average of 18.19 and contributing significantly to Australia's World Cup victories in 1999, 2003, and 2007.
3. Shane Warne
Shane Warne is the best leg-spin bowler in cricket history and the third Australian on this list. He was the lone bowler chosen as one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Century. Test Stats: Matches Played – 145, Wickets – 708, Average – 25.41, Strike Rate – 57.4, Economy – 2.65, Best bowling Figure – 8/71. ODI Stats: - Matches Played – 194, Wickets – 293, Average – 25.73, Strike Rate – 36.3, Economy – 4.25, Best bowling Figure – 5/33. Warne was a magician who could perform his enchantments even on pitches that were of little help. His 1001 international wickets are a powerful testament to his talent. His delivery to bowl out Andrew Strauss in the 2005 Ashes series ranks right up there with the "Ball of the Century" he bowled to dismiss Mike Gatting in the 1993 Ashes.
4. Wasim Akram
The "Sultan of Swing," a quick left-handed bowler who owns the records for most wickets in ODIs (502) and List A (881) cricket, bagged more than 400 Test wickets. Test Stats: Matches Played – 104, Wickets – 414, Average – 23.62, Strike Rate – 54.6, Economy – 2.59, Best bowling Figure – 7/119. ODI Stats: - Matches Played – 356, Wickets – 502, Average – 23.52, Strike Rate – 36.2, Economy – 3.89, Best bowling Figure – 5/15. In the 1992 World Cup final, which Pakistan won, Akram was named the player of the match. With 18, he also had the most wickets in the competition. In the 1999 World Cup, where he led Pakistan to the final, he also claimed 15 wickets.
5. Richard Hadlee
Hadlee was the first bowler to ever surpass 400 wickets in a Test match. It was stated that whenever Hadlee was attempting to get his batsman out, he continually asked himself, "What would Lillee do?" The Kiwi eventually outperformed his idol with 431 Test wickets and a mere 22.29 average. Test Stats: Matches Played – 86, Wickets – 431, Average – 22.29, Strike Rate – 50.8, Economy – 2.63, Best bowling Figure – 9/52. ODI Stats: - Matches Played – 115, Wickets – 158, Average – 21.56, Strike Rate – 39.1, Economy – 3.30, Best bowling Figure – 5/25. During his prime time, Richard Hadlee carried New Zealand bowling by himself. He was the first bowler to record 400 Test wickets. When he retired, he had also taken the most wickets in Test matches (431).
6. Joel Garner
With his high arm movement and 6-foot-8 height, the renowned West Indian fast bowler Joel Garner gave the impression that the ball was falling from the sky and landed before anyone could respond. Test Stats: Matches Played – 58, Wickets – 259, Average – 20.97, Strike Rate – 50.8, Economy – 2.47, Best bowling Figure – 6/56. ODI Stats: - Matches Played – 98, Wickets – 146, Average – 18.84, Strike Rate – 36.5, Economy – 3.09, Best bowling Figure – 5/31. The 1979 World Cup saw "The Big Bird" set the record as the only player to take five wickets in a World Cup final, as his five-for assisted West Indies in winning the competition.
7. Alan Donald
Donald's ferocious Trent Bridge performance against Mike Atherton in 1998 was a mere showcase for fast bowling. Atherton was unable to keep up with the South African's short-pitch deliveries at an accelerated pace. Test Stats: Matches Played – 72, Wickets – 330, Average – 22.25, Strike Rate – 47.0, Economy – 2.83, Best bowling Figure – 8/71. ODI Stats: - Matches Played – 164, Wickets – 272, Average – 21.78, Strike Rate – 31.4, Economy – 4.15, Best bowling Figure – 6/23.
8. Curtly Ambrose
In just 98 Test matches, this 6'7" giant bowled nearly 1,194 maiden overs and claimed 405 wickets. Matches were played between - 1988-2000. Test Stats: Matches Played – 98, Wickets – 405, Average – 20.99, Strike Rate – 54.5, Economy – 2.30, Best bowling Figure – 8/45. ODI Stats: - Matches Played – 176, Wickets – 225, Average – 24.12, Strike Rate - 41.5, Economy – 3.48, Best bowling Figure – 5/17. He was a tough opponent for batsmen to score on, as evidenced by his 1,194 maidens. 
9. Dennis Lille
Lillee was a formidable fast bowler with an explosive temper who was extremely unlucky to miss out on the top five. When he retired in 1984, he had a record-high 355 Test wickets and a respectable average of 23.92. Test Stats: Matches Played – 70, Wickets – 355, Average – 23.92, Strike Rate – 52.0, Economy – 2.75, Best bowling Figure – 7/83. ODI Stats: - Matches Played – 63, Wickets – 103, Average – 20.82, Strike Rate – 34.8, Economy – 3.58, Best bowling Figure – 5/34. In his early days, he bowled fast and wreaked havoc on the opposing batsmen. He had to decrease his run-up due to injuries, but he still accurately accounted for numerous scalps.
10. Malcolm Marshall
Marshall has the highest Test bowling average of any bowler with more than 200 wickets (20.94). His aggressive fast bowling gained a reputation for being feared by batsmen, particularly his bouncer, which several people tried to outlaw. He took 376 wickets in Test matches. Test Stats: Matches Played – 81, Wickets – 376, Average – 20.94, Strike Rate - 46.7, Economy – 2.68, Best bowling Figure – 7/22. ODI Stats: - Matches Played – 136, Wickets – 157, Average – 26.96, Strike Rate - 45.7, Economy – 3.53, Best bowling Figure – 4/18. Marshall, “Striding Death”, could not play an international match after hitting Andy Lloyd in Lloyd’s first Test match. He also broke the nose of Mike Gatting in 1985-86 in an ODI match. 
