Playing at home is always considered an easy job for players. It is a much easier task for bowlers to bowl at home than away conditions. Bowling at home and away from home has significant differences. In this article, we will discuss bowlers who become deadly at home in 'Top 10 Bowlers with best bowling average at home". (Min. 100 wickets)
1. Jim Laker
Jim Laker tops the list with a bowling average of 18.08 at home in Test Cricket. Laker has picked 135 wickets in 29 matches, which includes seven fifers and three ten-wicket haul. Laker is widely known for his 10-wicket haul in an innings against Australia in 1956 Ashes, where he picked 19 wickets in a single Test Match. Overall, Laker has played 46 test matches, picking 193 wickets at an average of 21.25.
2. Vernon Philander
Philander makes a way in this list with an average of 19.08 at home in test cricket. Philander played 36 matches at home and picked 146 wickets, which includes nine fifers and a ten-wicket haul. Philander was part of the pace trio along with Morkel and Steyn, which was deadly at home in pace-friendly conditions of South Africa. In his test career, Philander picked 224 wickets at an average of 22.32.
3. Imran Khan
Former Pakistani all-rounder Imran Khan finds a place on this list with a bowling average of 19.20. Imran played 38 test matches at home, picking 163 wickets, which includes ten fifers and three ten-wicket haul. Imran was a force to reckon with his bowling at that time, which is evident from his stats. Overall, Imran played 88 test matches, picking 362 wickets at an average of 22.81.
4. Kagiso Rabada
The South African speedster makes his way in the list with an average of 19.34 at home in Test matches. At home, Rabada has picked 173 wickets in 31 test matches with a strike rate of 33.5, which is outstanding for any bowler. Rabada is the leader of the current pace battery of South Africa. Rabada has played 60 test matches, picking 280 wickets at an average of 22.35.
5. Tony Lock
The former English bowler Lock finds his place on this list with a bowling average of 19.31 at home in test cricket. Lock has played 28 test matches at home in England, picking 104 wickets, which includes six fifers and two ten-wicket hauls. He was always a tough bowler to challenge at home; however, he failed to perform away from home. Overall, he played 49 test matches for England, picking 174 wickets at an average of 25.58.
6. M Muralitharan
Former Sri Lankan spin wizard Murali has an average of 19.56 at home in test cricket. Murali has played 73 test matches at home, picking 493 wickets, which includes 45 fifers and 15 ten-wicket hauls. These stats are astonishing for any bowler and just prove how capable he was. Murali is also the highest wicket-taker in test cricket, picking 800 wickets at an average of 22.73 in 133 test matches.
7. Fred Trueman
Another Englishman on this list, Trueman averages 20.04 with the ball at home in test cricket. Trueman has played 47 home test matches, picking 229 wickets, which includes 14 fifers and three ten-wicket hauls. Overall, in his test career, Trueman has played 67 tests for England, picking 304 test wickets at an average of 21.57 with a strike of 49.
8. Malcolm Marshall
Former West Indian legend Marshall has an average of 20.06 at-home test matches. Marshall has played 31 test matches at home, picking 157 wickets, which includes eight fifers and two ten-wicket hauls. Marshall used to bowl lethal deliveries along with orthodox out-swing; however, he even developed inswing and cutter later on. Overall, in his career, Marshall played 81 test matches, picking 376 wickets at an average of 20.96.
9. Pat Cummins
Only Australian in this list Cummins has an average of 20.18 at home in test cricket. Cummins has played 28 test matches at home, picking 128 wickets, which includes five fifers and a ten-wicket haul. Cummins is part of Aussie pace trio along with Hazlewood and Starc, who gets help from Lyon. Overall, in his career, Cummins has played 55 tests, picking 239 wickets at an average of 22.95.
10. Waqar Younis
Another Pakistani pace bowler in this list makes his way with a bowling average of 20.29 at home in test cricket. Waqar has played 33 test matches at home, picking 162 wickets, which includes 11 fifers and three ten-wicket haul. Waqar mastered the art of reverse swing, which helped him to generate swing on dry Pakistani tracks. Overall, in his test career, Waqar played 87 tests, picking 373 wickets at an average of 23.56.
