Good batting wins you matches, but good bowling wins you tournaments. Being a quality, fast bowler in the era of batting-friendly surfaces is not an easy job (Especially when you are bowling on Asian tracks).
But some bowlers have shown their class in this era, too. Some bowlers of today’s generation are even capable of creating fear in batsmen’s minds and winning matches on their own.
A bowler in the last decade is even capable of competing with legendary fast bowlers like Wasim Akram, Glenn McGrath, Curtly Ambrose, etc.
We will decide and rank these 8 pacers on the basis of their:
- Their overall stats in the last decade.
- Their stats (away from home) in the last decade.
- Their stats at Asian pitches in the last decade.
- Their records in winning contribution (stats in won matches) in the last decade.
8. Neil Wagner
The South African-born New Zealand Test player always remains unnoticed under the likes of his bowling partners(Trent Boult and Tim Southee).
He is always recognised as the third seamer in New Zealand. His records from the last decade will tell a completely different story. Wagner’s stats in the last decade are even better than those of his bowling partners, making him the best New Zealand fast bowler in the last decade (the only one from New Zealand on this list).
He has only taken a new ball three times in his Test career of 54 matches, which shows that, unlike other New Zealand bowlers, he mainly depends on bounce rather than early swing. His bowling control (especially on his short deliveries) made him New Zealand’s go-to bowler with the old ball.
- Neil Wagner’s stats in the 2010s: 81 Innings, 201 Wickets, 26.51 Average, 51.6 Strike Rate, 9 5W Hauls
- Neil Wagner’s stats away from home in the 2010s: 31 Innings, 66 Wickets, 26.75 Average, 58.9 Strike Rate, 3 5W Hauls
- Neil Wagner’s stats in Asia in the 2010s: 9 Innings, 15 Wickets, 28.80 Average, 68.4 Strike Rate, 1 5W Hauls
- Neil Wagner’s stats in won matches in the 2010s: 41 Innings, 108 Wickets, 20.8 Average, 41.2 Strike Rate, 5 5W Hauls
7. Stuart Broad
The bowler who played the most no. of test matches in the last decade (111 matches, most by any player in a single decade) grabs 7th position in our list. He remains unnoticed due to his bowling partner James Anderson, who, combined with him, forms a deadly pair of swing and seam.
However, his records are not very significant to be on this list, but his longevity gives him an edge over other bowlers(who are not on this list), as he was the second-highest wicket-taker in the last decade.
He is only the second fast bowler (3rd overall) to take 400 test wickets in a single decade and the 4th fast bowler (7th overall) to reach the milestone of 500 test wickets.
Random Facts/Trivia About Stuart Broad:
- Among all the players currently playing, Broad is the most successful bowler in the history of the ashes, with 118 wickets in 58 innings and an average of 29.35.
- Broad has also won the most number of MOM awards in test cricket (among all the bowlers playing currently)
- Stuart Broad’s stats in the 2010s: 207 Innings, 403 Wickets, 27.65 Average, 56.6 Strike rate, 14 5W Hauls
- Stuart Broad’s stats away from home in the 2010s: 83 Innings, 139 Wickets, 31.99 Average, 68.2 Strike Rate, 4 5W Hauls
- Stuart Broad’s stats in Asia in the 2010s: 29 Innings, 38 Wickets, 35.13 Average, 76 Strike Rate
- Stuart Broad’s stats in won matches in the 2010s: 96 Innings, 210 Wickets, 20.39 Average, 43.7 Strike Rate, 8 5W Hauls
6. Mohammed Shami
Being a fast bowler in Asian conditions is not easy. But that is not the case for the next player on our list, Mohammed Shami.
He is undoubtedly the best Asian fast bowler of the last decade and also the first and only Asian bowler to feature on our list.
His skill set as a fast bowler is quite marvellous. He can swing the ball in both directions, seam the ball, and even do a reverse swing with the old ball (he excels at this skill). He also has a great pace(he can consistently bowl with a pace of around 140-145 kph).
He is also the lead bowler of the Indian team in this format and consistently delivers in the white jersey for his team. His fitness levels are too good, which helped him succeed in all the game formats.
Indian team and their fans want Shami to do well in this WTC cycle so they can finish this tournament on a high.
Fact: Shami was the best fast bowler of the Indian team in the last WTC cycle, with 40 wickets.
- Mohammed Shami’s stats in the 2010s: 91 Innings, 175 Wickets, 27.09 Average, 49.1 Strike Rate, 5 5W Hauls
- Mohammed Shami’s stats away from home in the 2010s: 59 Innings, 113 Wickets, 30.39 Average, 52.3 Strike Rate, 3 5W Hauls
- Mohammed Shami’s stats in Asia in the 2010s: 38 Innings, 72 Wickets, 20.61 Average, 41.6 Strike rate, 2 5W Hauls
- Mohammed Shami’s stats in won matches in the 2010s: 50 Innings, 95 Wickets, 20.69 Average, 40.6 Strike Rate, 3 5W Hauls
5. Kagiso Rabada
No bowler in the last decade has a better bowling strike rate than Kagiso Rabada. He is the second South African and youngest bowler to feature on this list.
Even though he made his test debut in November 2015, His performances in almost 4 years in the last decade are enough to include him in the list.
After the retirement of senior bowlers such as Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, Rabada started to lead his team’s pace attack, and he never disappointed his team and South African fans with his bowling performances in that format of the game.
Also, after his brilliant 10w haul against(11 wickets), He became the fourth South African bowler to cross 900 points in the ICC test bowler rankings.
He is just 26 years old and could become one of the best bowlers in cricket history. His team wants him to perform well in this WTC cycle so that they can finish at least better than the previous WTC cycle.
Fact: He is the youngest bowler in cricket history to grab 150 test wickets
- Kagiso Rabada’s stats in the 2010s: 75 Innings, 190 Wickets, 22.57 Average, 40 Strike Rate, 9 5W Hauls
- Kagiso Rabada’s stats away from home in the 2010s: 29 Innings, 56 Wickets, 30.16 Average, 57.4 Strike Rate, 1 5W Hauls
- Kagiso Rabada’s stats in Asia in the 2010s: 13 Innings, 17 Wickets, 34.52 Average, 68.1 Strike Rate
4. Morne Morkel
An in-and-out tall fast bowler who remained under the shadow of his great bowling partners (Philander and Steyn) comes next on our list.
Popularly known as Lobster (His nickname), Morkel, at his peak (due to his ability to generate pace and bounce), is a nightmare even for some top-class batsmen (especially left-handers).
Although he didn’t get much limelight in his career, as his team was full of match winners such as AB De Villiers, Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, Graeme Smith, Dale Steyn, etc.
When you are not the first-choice bowler for your team, your chances of taking wickets will be significantly reduced. However, Morkel proved this theory completely wrong and showed his worth even as a second or third seamer.
Although he retired early from international cricket for personal reasons, in his career of more than 10 years, he showed everyone how deadly he could be on his day.
Fact: He made his ODI debut for the Africa XI and played his last T20I for the World XI.
- Morne Morkel’s stats in the 2010s: 125 Innings, 248 Wickets, 25.99 Average, 52.3 Strike Rate, 7 5W Hauls
- Morne Morkel’s stats away from home in the 2010s: 58 Innings, 116 Wickets, 27.28 Average, 55.5 Strike Rate, 3 5W Hauls
- Morne Morkel’s stats in Asia in the 2010s: 22 Innings, 34 Wickets, 30.64 Average, 67 Strike Rate, 1 5W Hauls
- Morne Morkel’s stats in won matches in the 2010s: 64 Innings, 129 Wickets, 21.93 Average, 44.3 Strike Rate, 3 5W Hauls
3. Mitchell Starc
The man who bowled the 5th fastest delivery in cricket history comes next on this list (160.4 kph/99.7 mph)
Starc was undoubtedly the best ODI bowler of the last decade, which underscores his great performances in this format of the game.
The left-arm pacer bowling at an extreme pace can even trouble the best batsman of his day. His art of reverse swing (quite rare in modern-day cricket) can do wonders on even a dead pitch for fast bowling.
He is also the lead bowler of the Australian team in this format (especially after the retirement of his bowling partner Mitchell Johnson in 2018), and his stats in the last decade have proved him the best fast bowler in his team; that too, by a fair margin.
Fact: Among all non-Asian bowlers, Starc is the only player with a bowling strike rate of less than 50 in Asia in the last decade
- Mitchell Starc’s stats in the 2010s: 107 Innings, 240 Wickets, 27.08 Average, 48.2 Strike Rate, 13 5W Hauls
- Mitchell Starc’s stats away from home in the 2010s: 48 Innings, 94 Wickets, 28.65 Average, 50.7 Strike Rate, 6 5W Hauls
- Mitchell Starc’s stats in Asia in the 2010s: 19 Innings, 37 Wickets, 27.94 Average, 49.2 Strike Rate, 3 5W Hauls
- Mitchell Starc’s stats in won matches in the 2010s: 59 Innings, 140 Wickets, 23.47 Average, 43.1 Strike Rate, 7 5W Hauls
2. James Anderson
The player with the most no. of test wickets among all the fast bowlers (3rd overall) in the game’s history grabs 2nd position in our list.
Anderson is the highest wicket-taker of the last decade in test cricket and also set the record for taking the most wickets in a single decade for a fast bowler (2nd overall).
His swing bowling has troubled various top-class batsmen, such as Virat Kohli, Pujara, Warner, Williamson, etc.
He has also been his team’s lead bowler (his stats proved that) for more than 10 years, which is a big achievement for a fast bowler.
Even at this age, his fitness level and dedication to the game made him a legend of this format.
Fact: He is the only fast bowler in cricket history to grab 600 test wickets.
- James Anderson’s stats in the 2010s: 200 Innings, 429 Wickets, 24.35 Average, 54.9 Strike Rate, 20 5W Hauls
- James Anderson’s stats away from home in the 2010s: 90 Innings, 165 Wickets, 29.41 Average, 65.4 Strike Rate, 5 5W Hauls
- James Anderson’s stats in Asia in the 2010s: 32 Innings, 48 Wickets, 27.70 Average, 66.9 Strike Rate, 1 5W Haul
- James Anderson’s stats in won matches in the 2010s: 95 Innings, 232 Wickets, 18.23 Average, 43.2 Strike Rate, 13 5W Hauls
1. Dale Steyn
You must have done something extraordinary in your career when you are regarded as the greatest fast bowler in test cricket of a country that produces bowlers like Ntini, Pollock, Donald, etc.
Steyn was undoubtedly the best fast bowler of the last decade in test cricket by a fair distance. He topped the ICC test bowlers rankings for five years in the last decade (2010-2014, 2016), which is an unmatched achievement.
Conditions don’t matter much for a bowler of his calibre, as he performed in almost all conditions in test cricket (his 10w haul in the Nagpur test against India is a prime example of his class).
Steyn can even be considered one of the greatest fast bowlers in his prime. He was once a generation bowler (His stats below are enough to prove this) and the most important player in his country’s dominance in this format in the last decade (up to 2016)
Fact: Steyn’s bowling strike rate (42.3) is the best among all the bowlers who have taken more than 250 wickets in test cricket.
- Dale Steyn’s stats in the 2010s: 108 Innings, 267 Wickets, 22.29 Average, 43.9 Strike Rate, 15 5W Hauls
- Dale Steyn’s stats away from home in the 2010s: 47 Innings, 106 Wickets, 25.28 Average, 49.4 Strike Rate, 5 5W Hauls
- Dale Steyn’s stats in Asia in the 2010s: 22 Innings, 46 Wickets, 26.65 Average, 51.4 Strike Rate, 2 5W Hauls
- Dale Steyn’s stats in won matches in the 2010s: 96 Innings, 210 Wickets, 20.39 Average, 43.7 Strike Rate, 8 5W Hauls
Top 8 Fast Bowlers from the Last Decade in Test Cricket are:
- Dale Steyn
- James Anderson
- Mitchell Starc
- Morne Morkel
- Kagiso Rabada
- Mohammed Shami
- Stuart Broad
- Neil Wagner
