Cricket has always been a game of fine margins, where bowlers play a pivotal role in shifting the momentum of a match. As we look forward to the upcoming series and tournaments, it’s essential to recognize the bowlers who are currently dominating the cricketing world. This blog will highlight the top 10 bowlers in world cricket in 2024, showcasing their records, strengths, and potential impact on future matches.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Bowling in cricket is an art that combines skill, strategy, and stamina. The top bowlers in the world are those who can consistently deliver under pressure, adapt to different conditions, and outthink batsmen. In 2024, several bowlers have stood out for their exceptional performances across formats. This blog will delve into the records and achievements of these top 10 bowlers, providing insights into why they are considered the best in the business.
Top 10 Bowlers in 2024
1. Jasprit Bumrah (India)
Jasprit Bumrah has established himself as one of the premier fast bowlers in the world. Known for his unorthodox action, pace, and accuracy, Bumrah is a match-winner for India across all formats.
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy Rate | Best Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 33 | 152 | 21.24 | 2.65 | 6/27 |
| ODIs | 76 | 132 | 25.17 | 4.49 | 5/27 |
| T20Is | 60 | 70 | 19.45 | 6.66 | 3/11 |
Strengths: Yorker accuracy, death bowling, and ability to generate seam movement.
2. Pat Cummins (Australia)
Pat Cummins, the current captain of the Australian Test team, is a force to be reckoned with. His ability to bowl fast, maintain accuracy, and deliver breakthroughs makes him a crucial player.
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy Rate | Best Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 47 | 217 | 21.57 | 2.75 | 6/23 |
| ODIs | 69 | 112 | 28.78 | 5.15 | 5/70 |
| T20Is | 44 | 55 | 21.48 | 7.37 | 3/15 |
Strengths: Pace, bounce, and consistency.
3. Kagiso Rabada (South Africa)
Kagiso Rabada is one of the most talented fast bowlers in the world. His ability to bowl fast, generate bounce, and swing the ball both ways makes him a potent weapon for South Africa.
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy Rate | Best Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 56 | 253 | 22.23 | 3.27 | 7/112 |
| ODIs | 85 | 137 | 27.34 | 5.02 | 6/16 |
| T20Is | 42 | 49 | 25.18 | 8.21 | 3/26 |
Strengths: Pace, aggression, and ability to bowl in all phases of the game.
4. Trent Boult (New Zealand)
Trent Boult is renowned for his swing bowling and ability to take wickets with the new ball. His performances in limited-overs cricket have been particularly impressive.
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy Rate | Best Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 78 | 317 | 27.48 | 2.99 | 7/34 |
| ODIs | 100 | 187 | 25.33 | 5.00 | 7/34 |
| T20Is | 45 | 64 | 20.45 | 7.29 | 4/21 |
Strengths: Swing, accuracy, and effectiveness with the new ball.
5. Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)
Shaheen Afridi, the young sensation from Pakistan, has quickly risen to prominence with his pace, swing, and wicket-taking ability.
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy Rate | Best Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 27 | 95 | 24.27 | 3.04 | 6/51 |
| ODIs | 44 | 80 | 24.95 | 5.32 | 6/35 |
| T20Is | 40 | 50 | 25.60 | 7.83 | 3/20 |
Strengths: Pace, swing, and ability to strike early in the innings.
6. Jofra Archer (England)
Jofra Archer’s raw pace and ability to bowl lethal short deliveries have made him a crucial bowler for England across formats.
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy Rate | Best Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 13 | 42 | 31.04 | 3.26 | 6/45 |
| ODIs | 42 | 68 | 23.92 | 4.75 | 3/27 |
| T20Is | 21 | 31 | 20.87 | 7.88 | 4/33 |
Strengths: Pace, bounce, and versatility in all formats.
7. Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)
Rashid Khan, the wizard from Afghanistan, is one of the best leg-spinners in the world. His ability to take wickets in the middle overs and control the run rate is exceptional.
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy Rate | Best Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 5 | 34 | 22.35 | 3.68 | 6/49 |
| ODIs | 79 | 151 | 18.57 | 4.16 | 7/18 |
| T20Is | 77 | 119 | 13.37 | 6.22 | 5/3 |
Strengths: Leg-spin, variations, and economy rate.
8. Mitchell Starc (Australia)
Mitchell Starc, known for his lethal yorkers and pace, is a vital part of Australia’s bowling attack, especially in limited-overs cricket.
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy Rate | Best Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 71 | 287 | 27.57 | 3.32 | 6/50 |
| ODIs | 99 | 195 | 22.48 | 5.09 | 6/28 |
| T20Is | 51 | 61 | 23.88 | 7.32 | 4/20 |
Strengths: Pace, yorkers, and effectiveness in death overs.
9. Anrich Nortje (South Africa)
Anrich Nortje has emerged as a top fast bowler for South Africa, known for his express pace and wicket-taking ability.
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy Rate | Best Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 18 | 74 | 27.45 | 3.53 | 6/56 |
| ODIs | 25 | 42 | 25.23 | 5.43 | 4/51 |
| T20Is | 22 | 28 | 21.85 | 7.98 | 3/8 |
Strengths: Pace, aggression, and ability to take crucial wickets.
10. Mohammed Shami (India)
Mohammed Shami’s ability to bowl with pace, accuracy, and swing makes him a key player for India, especially in Test cricket.
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy Rate | Best Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 62 | 225 | 27.20 | 3.28 | 6/56 |
| ODIs | 85 | 151 | 25.62 | 5.58 | 5/69 |
| T20Is | 23 | 25 | 25.08 | 8.28 | 3/15 |
Strengths: Swing, seam, and consistency.
Conclusion
The current crop of bowlers in world cricket is an exciting blend of youth and experience, showcasing a range of skills from express pace to crafty spin. Each of the top 10 bowlers highlighted here brings something unique to their respective teams, making them indispensable assets in upcoming matches and tournaments. Their records speak for themselves, reflecting their dominance and impact on the game.
As we look forward to the next series and tournaments, these bowlers will undoubtedly play pivotal roles in their teams’ success. Their ability to adapt to different conditions and deliver under pressure will be critical in determining the outcomes of matches.
FAQs
Q1: Who is the best fast bowler in the world in 2024?
A1: Jasprit Bumrah and Pat Cummins are widely regarded as the best fast bowlers in the world in 2024 due to their consistent performances across formats.
Q2: Which bowler has the best economy rate in T20Is among the top 10?
A2: Rashid Khan has the best economy rate in T20Is among the top 10 bowlers, with an economy rate of 6.22.
Q3: Who is the top wicket-taker in ODIs among the current top 10 bowlers?
A3: Mitchell Starc is the top wicket-taker in ODIs among the current top 10 bowlers, with 195 wickets.
Q4: Which bowler is known for his lethal yorkers?
A4: Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell Starc are both known for their lethal yorkers, making them highly effective in death overs.
Q5: Who is the best spinner in the world in 2024?
A5: Rashid Khan is considered the best spinner in the world in 2024, known for his wicket-taking ability and economical bowling.
Q6: Which bowler has the highest number of wickets in Tests among the top 10?
A6: Trent Boult has the highest number of wickets in Tests among the top 10 bowlers, with 317 wickets.
Q7: Who is the fastest bowler among the current top 10?
A7: Anrich Nortje is known for his express pace and is considered the fastest bowler among the current top 10.
Q8: Which bowler has the best strike rate in ODIs among the top 10?
A8: Mitchell Starc has one of the best strike rates in ODIs among the top 10 bowlers, with a strike rate of 25.48.
Q9: Who is the best bowler in death overs?
A9: Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell Starc are both considered the best bowlers in death overs due to their ability to deliver accurate yorkers and slow balls.
Q10: Who is the most consistent bowler across all formats?
A10: Pat Cummins and Jasprit Bumrah are considered the most consistent bowlers across all formats due to their ability to adapt and perform in different conditions and match situations.
