The top ten bowlers in Test cricket today

Who on earth would want to be a bowler these days? Flat pitches, hot weather, and bowling to batsman like Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson. Incredibly daunting, right?

Well, despite everything working against them, there are still some bowlers on the international scene who are getting it done consistently. Here are the top ten bowlers in Test cricket.

Honourable Mentions: Mitchell Starc (Australia), Trent Boult (New Zealand), Neil Wagner (New Zealand), Jason Holder (West Indies)

10. Patrick Cummins (Australia)
Australia’s second coming of tearaway quick Pat Cummins was putting one of the finest of displays last summer against England, with 23 wickets at an average of 24.65.

His potential to hit 150 clicks in the Test arena is scary for the best of batsmen, and is the last thing they want to face after seeing out Starc and Hazlewood with a new ball.

His relatively short career in the Test arena due to injury is what stops him temporarily from moving up this list, but consistent, fiery bowling against India and Sri Lanka this summer can do more than just change that.

9. Ravichandran Ashwin (India)
R. Ashwin is a cricketing hero in India, renowned for his awesome variations, ripping off-break and handy batting. A slight drop in form recently has potentially seen him play second fiddle to Ravi Jadeja for now, but is by no means a bad thing given how well Jadeja has been bowling.

On turning wickets, Ashwin is arguably the one spinner in the world you wouldn’t want to face, with his ability to either bowl you or smash the front pad from any angle at any release point.

(AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

8. Rangana Herath (Sri Lanka)
At age 40, Rangana Herath is one Test match away from retirement. However, he is still ranked amongst the best Test bowlers in the world for his wicket-taking abilities.

Rangana didn’t really kick off his international career until the age of 31, and ever since then has caused some of the most famous batting collapses in modern history. Another left-arm orthodox in this list, Herath peforms well overseas, but even better at home in Sri Lanka.

The home pitches have always seemed to suit him, and have long caused the best batsman in the world to second guess their ability when facing his silent but deadly off-spinners.

7. Stuart Broad (England)
Much like James Anderson, Broad is an absolute nightmare to face with a swinging Duke ball. Despite a few injuries and niggles popping up recently, Broad has shown his endurance and work ethic all across the world. His ability to still touch the 140’s when bowling is impressive, and borderline unplayable with a new ball.

He also often brings his side wickets in clumps, something not all pace bowlers can do consistently.

6. Nathan Lyon (Australia)
Having now well and truly proven himself across the globe as a spinner, Nathan Lyon’s nickname is the GOAT for a reason. For a while now, and a while to come, Lyon has been Australia’s best ever off-spinner.

Despite the recently flat pitches at home, Lyon has constantly found a way to take wickets against quality opposition. His bowling figures are now a lot more improved in certain parts of the world, such as the UAE where he redeemed his prior efforts in 2014 with a solid series this year against Pakistan. As a result, he is currently Australia’s best bowler.

(AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

5. Ravindra Jadeja (India)
Touted now as India’s new best spinner ahead of Ashwin, Jadeja has really come of age lately. His left-arm orthodox is deadly on his home pitches, and holds its own very well on foreign soil also.

When bowling with Ashwin at the other end, there is no better spin combination in the game. His ability to change the revolutions on the ball so accurately is something he does not get enough credit for; an attribute that is often the reason behind his wickets.

4. Mohammad Abbas (Pakistan)
The biggest revelation on the bowling scene in the last 12 months, Mohammad Abbas has completely taken the cricketing world by storm with his performances against Australia in the UAE in October.

His Test match bowling average of 15 is absolutely insane, regardless of the fact his Test match career has so far only seen ten matches.

At 28, you can only assume he has another level in him that could well see him as a world-famous pace bowler. His lack of games at the top level is one of the only reason he is currently not Number 1, along with not having the opportunity to prove himself in more foreign conditions.

3. Vernon Philander (South Africa)
Rivalling Abbas and Anderson for the best line and length bowler on the planet, Philander is renowned for his ability to consistently hit the spot until the batsman makes a mistake.

Whenever he also has the luxury of swing bowling conditions, he will make life hell for any batsman looking to survive, let alone score. He, along with Abbas has proven that not all good bowlers need extra pace, and at 33 could easily keep his spot in the team for a few more years.

2. James Anderson (England)
The swing king James Anderson is bowling a bit like a fine wine; getting better with age. He is coming to the point in his career where most pace bowlers have either retired, or are showing signs of slowing down.

In fact, there are almost no fast bowlers that can claim they have played Test cricket until the age of 36, and still bowling as well as ever. His stats speak for themselves, and on home turf he will look to cause havoc against Australia once again next Ashes series.

(Nigel French/PA Wire.)

1. Kagiso Rabada (South Africa)
Rabada is arguably the one bloke in Test cricket you wouldn’t want to face the most, and with good reason too.

His incredible ability to bowl both rapid pace and swing the ball both ways is outstanding, with only Mitchell Starc able to match him in these three facets.

While injury is the main reason keeping Starc off this list, Rababa has displayed his talent all over the world regardless of conditions; and at just 23 years of age, is looking very much like the world’s best pacemen, no questions asked.