Top Bowling Strike Rates In Tests
The ability to dismiss a batsman cheaply is priceless in any format of the game. It becomes more so important in the red ball format. As the time factor is not a constraint it is often the teams that are able to pick 20 wickets that end up winning more games. There are very few bowlers including the great ones who have the ability to strike consistently. These kinds of bowlers are the ones who leave a strong impact on the game. Let us look at Top Bowling Strike Rates In Tests in detail.
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We look at 5 bowlers with the best bowling strike rates in Tests:
[Minimum – 200 wickets]
#5 Pat Cummins – 46.9
He made his debut in 2011 impressing everyone with his skills. Pat Cummins though had to fight a career-derailing injury soon after. He persisted throughout to emerge on top. Cummins post his comeback has operated on a different level.
He has picked 214 wickets in 47 Tests at an average of 21.25. Cummins’ strike rate of 46.9 is mighty impressive too. He is one tireless bowler who keeps bowling with the same energy in all his spells. Cummins surely is once in a generation bowler.
#4 Malcolm Marshall – 46.7
He was part of the fearsome West Indies pace attack. Malcolm Marshall is widely regarded as the best pace bowler to have ever played the game. Batters were always on their toes when they came up against Marshall. He had terrific numbers to go with his intimidating bowling style. Marshall pocketed 376 wickets in 81 Tests at an outstanding average of 20.94. He picked a wicket every 46.7 balls in Tests. Marshall ranks fourth among bowlers who have picked more than 250 wickets.
#3 Waqar Younis – 43.4
He was called the Burewala bomber. Waqar Younis remains one of the most impactful pacers of all time. He was a fine exponent of reverse swing. Waqar Younis formed a potent force with Wasim Akram. His run-up to the crease, his action was poetry in motion. Younis picked up 373 wickets in 87 Tests at an average of 23.56. But it was his ability to pick a wicket every 43.4 balls that stood out from the rest. He is the only bowler to feature on this list who played most of his cricket primarily in the 90s.
#2 Dale Steyn – 42.3
He was simply unplayable at his best. Dale Steyn was a beast during his peak. He is one of those rare fast bowlers who had a fantastic record even in Asian conditions. Steyn broke open many batting lineups in just a single session. His spell against India in Nagpur on a flat wicket remains a case study in fast bowling. Steyn picked 439 wickets in 93 Tests at an average of 22.95. His strike rate of 42.3 is flat-out brilliant.
#1 Kagiso Rabada – 40.3
He is a natural athlete. There are very few beautiful sights in world cricket as watching Kagiso Rabada’s bowling action. He has one of the most fluid run-ups to the crease. Kagiso Rabada was destined for greatness right since his U-19 World Cup days. He made his debut in 2015.
Rabada has played 58 Tests so far picking 268 wickets at a wonderful average of 22.85. It’s his strike rate of 40.3 though that signals his stature in the pantheon of Test bowling greats. Rabada tops the Test bowling strike rate charts for bowlers who have picked at least 200 Test wickets.
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