Top ten bowling averages: The measure of a bowler’s ability to prize out batsman is invaluable across any format of the game. It becomes the most important factor in Tests. In the modern age of batters going slam-bang to tie down a batsman before dismissing them is classic Test cricket. The World Test Championship (WTC) has seen bowlers rise to the occasion.
We look at the top ten bowling averages in WTC:
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[Qualification – 50 wickets]
#10 Ravindra Jadeja – 24.22
He had a troubled time with injuries during WTC. But Ravindra Jadeja has always proved his worth when he turned up for the country. He has picked up 67 wickets in 21 Tests at a fine average of 24.22.
#9 Stuart Broad – 23.25
Every time critics rule out Stuart Broad he comes back all guns blazing. He has bowled decisive spells in WTC showcasing just how good he can be on his day. The seamer who has more than 550 (571) wickets in Tests has picked up 112 wickets in 28 Tests in WTC at an average of 23.25.
#8 Mohammad Shami – 22.50
He is one of the most underrated pacers of this generation. Mohammad Shami is unplayable, especially in sub-continental conditions. The skiddy nature of his bowling gives little room for batsmen to wriggle. He has picked up 79 wickets in 22 Tests at an average of 22.50.
#7 Josh Hazlewood – 22.12
He is hailed as the successor to Glenn McGrath. Josh Hazlewood’s biggest strength is his ability to hit the top of the off stump on a constant basis. He has scalped 58 wickets in 15 Tests at an average of 22.12. The injuries have hampered Hazlewood significantly in the last couple of years.
#6 Jasprit Bumrah – 22.05
He has been away from the game for a considerable amount of time. Yet he features quite high on this list. Jasprit Bumrah has played a pivotal part in India’s consistent success in both cycles of WTC. He has picked 79 wickets in 20 Tests at a solid average of 22.05.
#5 Pat Cummins – 21.11
The recent Border-Gavaskar series is surely an aberration for what has been a stellar career so far. Pat Cummins has been the world’s number one fast bowler (number 3 currently) for the last few years. His ability to bowl at the same speed with the same zeal even in his fourth and fifth spells makes him special. Cummins has scalped 123 wickets at a top average of 21.11.
#4 Ollie Robinson – 20.75
The England pacer has stepped up beautifully in the absence of Jofra Archer. Ollie Robinson’s top-bracket entry has made England a potent force with the ball. The tall right-arm seamer has grabbed 53 wickets in 13 Tests so far at an average of 20.75.
#3 James Anderson – 20.03
He keeps getting better with every passing year. James Anderson became the number one bowler in the world recently thanks to his exploits against the Kiwis. The 40-year-old veteran refuses to slow down. He has picked 97 wickets in 27 Tests at a mighty average of 20.03.
#2 Ravichandran Ashwin – 19.89
He is one of the only two bowlers who have picked up more than 50 wickets to average below 20 in WTC. Ravichandran Ashwin has been India’s best bowler in WTC as he has been pretty much since he made his Test debut in 2011. The thinking spinner has picked 121 wickets in 25 Tests at an outstanding average of 19.89.
#1 Kyle Jamieson – 18.66
He tops both the strike rate and average charts for bowlers in WTC. Kyle Jamieson’s meteoric rise in Test cricket coincided with the first cycle of WTC. The big burly fast bowler from New Zealand has picked 69 wickets in 15 Tests at an average of 18.66!
