“Bowling is an art, I am an Artist,” said Hardik Pandya. Bowlers are no less than an artist showcasing their skill with their bowling; although batters have been crowd favorites, the bowlers help you win matches. No matter how many runs a batter scores, it’s the bowlers who have to defend it for the team. A bowler has to restrict the batsmen from scoring runs and also ensure to pick timely wickets. Since, pitches now have more been batter friendly but good bowlers have always got up with new ideas. A perfect yorker, an unplayable spin, or a precise swing are magics produced by these artists called bowlers.
1. Muttiah Muralitharan
One of the best and most successful bowlers of all time is Muralitharan. He averaged over six wickets in test cricket; he became a nightmare for batters and his unplayable spinning balls would break through solid defenses of batters. Although, Muttiah has faced many controversies due to his bowling actions but never got dominated by the batsman. He played 133 test matches for Sri Lanka and took 800 test wickets in his entire career. Muralitharan retired as the bowler with the most number of international test wickets.
2. Shane Warne
The right-arm leg spinner, Shane Warne, is considered the best bowler of all generations. Warne’s spin would rattle any batsman and send the batter o the pavilion. He made 145 test match appearances for Australia picking up 708 international wickets for his team. One of Warne’s delivery which dismissed Mike Gatting earned the “Ball Of The Century” title.
3. James Anderson
Widely regarded as one of the best seam bowlers, Anderson had dominated test cricket with his incredible bowling skills. Representing England for a record 181 times, 688 batters have been his victim. While leading test bowling for England, Anderson received appraisal for his ability to swing the bowl both ways. His swing bowling has been a nightmare for eminent batters all over the globe.
4. Anil Kumble
The legendary Indian leg-spinner, Anil Kumble is one of the three bowlers who took ten wickets in a test innings. Famous for his unorthodox bowling, Kumble popularised the flipper ball of the leg spinners. In his career of 19 years, Kumble played 132 tests for India and took 618 wickets in international matches. Kumble dominated the batters with his pace, slight turn and bounce.
5. Stuart Broad
Englands’s second most-capped test cricketer, Stuart Broad made the headlines after dismantling a rock-solid Australian top order in 2009. A lethal in-swing bowler, Broad’s wicket-to-wicket bowling has made him one of the leading strike bowlers for England in the last decade. Across 164 tests, Broad has taken 593 wickets for England national Squad and has been an active member of the England squad.
6. Glenn McGrath
One of the best of his generation, Glen McGrath, was the best fast bowler to ever bowl for Australia. His consistent line and length around the off stump made it difficult for the batters to score against him; batters often gave up their wicket to him. Consistent line, swing, cunning off-cutters, and several other variations were enough to award him wickets. He played 124 tests for Australia and took 463 wickets for the team.
7. Courtney Walsh
A magical phenomenon for West Indies, Walsh’s spirit and determination made him the best of the bowlers of all time. In the first half of his career, Walsh became the willing workhorse cantering into the wind. Later, he combined with Ambrose for the deadliest fast-bowler opening duo that demolished any batting lineup. Representing West Indies in 132 test matches, Walsh ambushed 519 batters; he took most of his wickets against England and Australia.
8. Nathan Lyon
Nathan holds the record for the most successful off-break bowler in Australia. His unplayable deliveries have been threats to batters. Representing Australia in 122 test matches, he dismissed 496 batters so far. Praised for his grip on the track and the bowl, Nathan has received several honors. Picking up crucial wickets and breaking partnerships, helped him solidify his position in the Australian cricketing team and earned him respect among his teammates.
9. Ravichandran Ashwin
Currently ranked as the number one Test Bowler in ICC rankings, Ashwin has always proved to be a game changer for India in many matches. His orthodox off-break has broken through the defenses of many batters and has put India one step ahead every time. Perhaps, he is one of the few bowlers who have achieved 470 plus wickets with 4000 plus runs in international cricket. Ashwin dismissed 486 batters so far with his classic bowling skills in 93 matches.
10. Dale Steyn
The former South African fast bowler, Dale Steyn held the number one spot in the ICC Test rankings for a record 263 weeks during the peak of his career. Leading the South African pace attack, Steyn dominated the batters and decimated them with his pace and swing. Often he sent the wicket flying or breaking into pieces with his pace. In a career of sixteen years, Steyn represented South Africa in 93 tests and helped his team with 439 wickets.
