Top 10 Cricket Bowlers of All Time

Pakistan (1971-92) Among the greatest all-rounders the game has ever seen, Imran Khan’s primary prowess was in the art of reverse swing. The Pakistani legend is remembered as among the best captains of all time due to his creative mind, and he first displayed this through his evolution as a bowler. Having started out as a medium pacer, Khan achieved his prime form when he became a fast bowler, claiming the best strike rate and bowling average among his peers at his peak. His line, discipline, and pinpoint accuracy led to many yorkers and outside edges, as batsmen failed to read his swinging deliveries. Khan moved toward his batting abilities later in his career but only after imparting his genius to future legends Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.

West Indies (1988-2000) If there’s ever a bowler needed to throttle batting line-ups, then look no further than Curtly Ambrose. The West Indian was notorious for stemming the run flow to a minimum, as his pace and accuracy left little room for batsmen to score runs. Not that it was Ambrose’s only skill, as he would vary his deliveries with swing to prevent batsmen from becoming too defensive. Ambrose’s calm demeanor and great height made him an intimidating presence for the opposition – and his vicious bouncers added to this feared reputation. Although the West Indies team was in decline during Ambrose’s career, he and Courtney Walsh held the bowling department together to become a duo to be reckoned with.

South Africa (2004-20) There’s no doubt that Dale Steyn is the greatest bowler to come out of the modern cricket era. Naturally aggressive and vicious on his day, Steyn was a nightmare for batsmen with the new ball. The South African is responsible for turning the team into Test champions in the 2010s, triggering incredible batting collapses as soon as the games began. Steyn might not have been the fastest bowler, but his zipping outswingers bamboozled batsmen anyway, as no two deliveries would be the same. Injuries plagued the bowler for much of his career, which denied him from picking up more scalps than he could. Yet, he still ended up as the leading wicket-taker in South Africa’s history and a legendary career to remember.

West Indies (1978-92) Malcolm Marshall spearheaded West Indies’ pace attack during their heyday in the ‘80s for what is largely considered the most fearsome bowling line-up in cricket. Despite his shorter stature compared to his teammates, Marshall could generate great pace to bowl bouncers as dangerous as they come. Simply surviving Marshall’s new ball burst was an achievement for batsmen, as the bowler went for attacking deliveries that could break a nose or two. Marshall never let down on what made him so fast and menacing, even if it led to injuries of his own. His bowling average remains the lowest of any bowler with more than 200 wickets, a testament to his consistency. We were sadly robbed of the legend at a young age, but his legacy lives on.

Pakistan (1989-2003) When you think of destructive, toe-crushing yorkers and flying stumps, you think of Waqar Younis. The combination of reverse swing and speed made Younis a sheer force on the field, with most of his dismissals either bowled or LBWs. The aggression he displayed brought Younis admirers from all around the world, and athletes like Usain Bolt credit him as an inspiration. Having one of the lowest strike rates in the game proves Younis' ability to dismiss batsmen, creating early breakthroughs in the match to whittle down the opposition's scoring opportunities. Younis' mastery with the ball was complemented by Wasim Akram. The pair went on to become the leading bowlers of their generation, but it was Younis who usually blew through the batting line up in his first spell.

New Zealand (1973-90) Arguably the greatest cricket New Zealand has produced, Richard Hadlee could change the game with the bat while his bowling skills were without question. As a tearaway bowler in his youth, Hadlee was among those responsible for making speed a defining factor in the opening overs of the match. He adapted to the changing environment of the game, delivering balls that moved on just about any surface regardless of the pitch’s condition. Hadlee still has some of the highest counts of five and ten-wicket hauls in Tests, along with boasting an average of five wickets per match. Hadlee’s team wasn’t strong by any means at the time, which made him the sole anchor for the New Zealanders, winning matches all by himself.

Australia (1993-2007) Glenn McGrath is proof that line and length can trump fast bowling, as the Australian legend maintained impeccable discipline with where he pitched his deliveries. McGrath was a mammoth on the big stage, racking up the most wickets at the World Cup and helping Australia become World Champions three times in a row. What McGrath lacked in speed, he more than made up for in bounce – his tall frame enabled him to trouble batsmen with elevated deliveries difficult to put away. Although McGrath’s tendency to sledge opponents landed him in trouble, this attitude made him a must-see player on the field. It’s no wonder he retired at his peak, finishing his Test career with a wicket off his last delivery and as the man-of-the-tournament in the World Cup.

#3: Shane Warne

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Australia (1992-2007) Warne revolutionized leg-spin like never before, bursting onto the scene with the “Ball of the Century” that remains a marvel to witness. He ushered in a new age that brought equal respect to spinners compared to fast bowlers, as he turned spin bowling into an art form. Warne was primarily known for his ripping deliveries, which could turn on almost any surface to bamboozle batsmen. His great variation meant that the opposition never knew what to expect, whether it was traditional leg-spin or his signature flipper. With such unparalleled skill, Warne easily racked up the most Test wickets at the time. The late Australian spin king was a rock star in the cricketing world, known for his exuberance, style, and showmanship.

Sri Lanka (1992-2010) It’s unlikely anyone will ever break Muttiah Muralitharan’s records of most international wickets, five and ten-wicket hauls and longest tenure ranked as the no. 1 bowler. The Sri Lankan spin wizard is the most prolific wicket-taker in the history of the game, with an astounding 6 wickets per match average in Tests. Muralitharan’s off-spin had a mind of its own at times, nipping into batsmen from just about any angle. Although his doosra was controversial, he used it to great effect, as its contrast with standard off-spin was a deadly weapon in his arsenal. Muralitharan at his peak guided Sri Lanka from a small team to world beaters. His status as the first Sri Lankan in the Hall of Fame does justice to his contribution to the game.

Pakistan (1984-2003) What do legends like Brian Lara, Kumar Sangakkara, and Glenn McGrath have in common? They all consider Wasim Akram the greatest bowler to ever grace the sport. Having learned from mentor Imran Khan, Akram became a magician who could swing the ball both ways. He also remains the only bowler to take two hat-tricks in Tests and ODIs. His finest contribution to cricket was mastering reverse swing, using the old ball to remain dangerous throughout the spell of a game. Akram mystified with lethal inswingers and outswingers that conjured wickets out of nowhere. Whether it was pace, seam, swing, or yorkers, he bagged wickets of all kinds. The “Sultan of Swing” was technically an all-rounder, but he’s the greatest ambassador for what bowling means to cricket.