The last decade of Test cricket has been dominated by the bowlers. They have had the larger say, especially in the last few years. Pitches have become lively and sportive tracks have been produced. Openers especially have struggled against quality opposition bowling, lets see some of the bowlers who have Most Test Wickets Since 2011.
A combination of all these factors has produced result-oriented Test matches. There have been few chief wreckers who have made life difficult for batsmen this past few years. They are the ones who have the most wickets in this phase.
We look at the top 5 bowlers who have picked the most Test wickets since 2011:
#5 Rangana Herath
Rangana Herath took over the wicket-taking duties for Sri Lanka from another spin legend. The moment Muttiah Muralitharan retired from Test cricket, Herath took over. He was Lanka’s lone warrior for more than a decade. Herath was simply sensational at home. His numbers right from 2011 stand out.
He played a total of 69 Tests during this period. Herath picked up 355 wickets at an average of 26.30 with a strike rate of 57.26. He is the only one in this list who has quit the game.
#4 Nathan Lyon
Nathan Lyon is Australia’s third-highest wicket-taker in Tests. He was a pitch curator at Adelaide a year until he made his debut the following year. Lyon’s success as a finger-spinner in Australian conditions shows his class. He has won plenty of games for his team.
His discipline remains his biggest strength. What he lacks in variation, he makes it up with his consistency. Lyon has picked 408 wickets in this phase. He averages 31.96 while his strike rate is 64.58.
#3 Stuart Broad
Stuart Broad for all his achievements is highly underrated. He is absolutely unplayable in helpful conditions. A high-quality Broad spell often ends up in an England win. His form has considerably dipped in the last couple of years but his class remains unmatched.
Broad’s 8-15 remains one of the most iconic spells of the decade. His celeb appeal is now part of cricketing folklore. Broad has picked 427 wickets at an average of 26.23 with a commendable strike rate of 54.77.
#2 Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin has been India’s biggest match-winner in Tests right since he made his Test debut. He has won a record number of player of series awards. His 9 wins are second to just Muralitharan. Ashwin has spun a web around many key batsmen. His battles with the opponent’s star batsman have often decided the outcome of the series.
Ashwin’s numbers are stellar right since he made his Test debut. He has picked 427 wickets in 81 Tests at an average of 24.13 with a brilliant strike rate of 52.20. His numbers are easily the best among the lot in this phase.
#1 James Anderson
There isn’t any surprise with James Anderson’s name topping this list. He has been evergreen not just for England but for world cricket in general. Anderson is third on the list of highest wicket-takers in Tests. He recently surpassed Anil Kumble’s magical 619 number.
Anderson is a tireless giant who keeps rolling overs year after year. He is a force of nature in helpful English conditions but his skill with both the new and old ball across countries stands out. Anderson tops the chart with 430 wickets in this phase averaging 24.24 at a strike rate of 56.37.
