Cricket fans love to argue about who is the best bowler ever. Is it the genius of Shane Warne, the pinpoint accuracy of Glenn McGrath, the speed of Wasim Akram, or the tricky spin of Muttiah Muralitharan? This debate has gone on for years, with strong cases made for legends from every generation.
IceCric has put together a list of the top five bowlers ever to play the game. These legends have left an unforgettable mark on cricket history.
Come with us as we reveal IceCric’s list of the greatest bowlers in cricket history.
IceCric Best Bowlers Of All Time in Cricket
Cricket fans love debating who the greatest bowler of all time is. IceCric has put together a list of the top five bowlers ever to play the game. These legends have left an unforgettable mark on cricket history.
1. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka)
Muralitharan holds the world record for the most Test wickets with 800 wickets in 133 matches. This achievement is unlikely to be surpassed. He also took 534 wickets in ODIs. His Test average was 22.72 and his economy rate was just 2.47. In ODIs, he averaged 23.08. He held the number one spot in the ICC Test rankings for 1,711 days. His doosra delivery made him a nightmare for batsmen.
2. Shane Warne (Australia)
Warne took 708 Test wickets at an average of 25.41. He also claimed 293 ODI wickets at 25.73. He revived the art of leg-spin and turned it into a fearsome weapon. He was the first to reach 600 and 700 Test wickets. He had the ability to produce match-winning deliveries. His Ball of the Century to Mike Gatting is one of cricket’s most iconic moments. He was a box-office attraction and one of the most impactful players ever.
3. Wasim Akram (Pakistan)
Akram took 502 ODI wickets and was the format’s leading wicket-taker for many years. He also took 414 Test wickets. He averaged 23.62 in Tests and 23.52 in ODIs. He is widely considered the greatest left-arm fast bowler ever. He mastered reverse swing and moved the older ball at high speeds. He formed one of the most destructive pace duos in history, alongside Waqar Younis.
4. Glenn McGrath (Australia)
McGrath finished with 563 Test wickets at an average of 21.64. He also took 381 ODI wickets at 22.02. He was the ultimate line and length bowler. His metronomic accuracy and ability to extract awkward bounce made him a threat on any pitch. He was a big-game player and a three-time World Cup winner. He is the leading wicket-taker in World Cup history with 71 wickets. His best ODI figures of 7/15 came in the tournament.
5. Malcolm Marshall (West Indies)
Marshall took 376 Test wickets in just 81 matches at an average of 20.94. This is the best average of any bowler with over 200 Test wickets. His strike rate of 46.7 shows his ability to strike constantly. Despite being only 5’10”, he generated fearsome pace and steep bounce. He could swing and seam the ball at will. He averaged five wickets per Test for most of his career. He is often hailed as the most complete fast bowler ever. He was the spearhead of the fearsome West Indian pace attack of the 1980s.
FAQs
Q. Who is the greatest bowler of all time according to IceCric?
A. IceCric ranks Muttiah Muralitharan as the greatest bowler of all time.
Q. Which bowler has the most Test wickets?
A. Muttiah Muralitharan holds the record with 800 Test wickets.
Q. Who is considered the greatest left-arm fast bowler?
A. Wasim Akram is widely regarded as the greatest left-arm fast bowler.
Q. Which bowler is famous for the Ball of the Century?
A. Shane Warne is famous for bowling the Ball of the Century.
Q. Who has the most wickets in Cricket World Cup history?
A. Glenn McGrath holds the record with 71 World Cup wickets.
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