The ICC rankings are a testament to the skill and prowess of bowlers in the Test cricket arena. Let’s take a closer look at the top-ranked bowlers in the Test format as of June 2024:
1. Ravichandran Ashwin: India’s Spin Wizard Claiming the top spot is India’s spin maestro, Ravichandran Ashwin, with a commanding rating of 870. Ashwin’s guile and mastery of spin bowling have made him a formidable force in Test cricket.
2. Josh Hazlewood: Australia’s Seam Sensation Hot on Ashwin’s heels is Australia’s pace ace, Josh Hazlewood, securing the second position with a rating of 847. Hazlewood’s consistency and ability to extract bounce and movement from any surface make him a prized asset for Australia.
3. Jasprit Bumrah: India’s Pace Phenomenon Joining Hazlewood in second place is India’s pace sensation, Jasprit Bumrah, also boasting a rating of 847. Bumrah’s unique bowling action and lethal yorkers have made him a nightmare for batsmen across the globe.
4. Kagiso Rabada: South Africa’s Speedster In fourth place stands South Africa’s pace prodigy, Kagiso Rabada, with a rating of 834. Rabada’s raw pace and ability to swing the ball at high speeds have earned him acclaim as one of the premier fast bowlers in Test cricket.
5. Pat Cummins: Australia’s Workhorse Australia’s tireless workhorse, Pat Cummins, secures the fifth position with a rating of 820. Cummins’ relentless accuracy and ability to generate pace consistently make him a potent threat in any bowling attack.
6. Nathan Lyon: Australia’s Spin King Australia’s spin king, Nathan Lyon, occupies the sixth position with a rating of 801. Lyon’s cunning spin variations and strategic nous have seen him dismantle batting lineups with aplomb.
7. Ravindra Jadeja: India’s All-Round Gem India’s versatile all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja, holds the seventh position with a rating of 788. Jadeja’s left-arm spin and handy lower-order batting make him a valuable asset for the Indian team in Test cricket.
8. James Anderson: England’s Swing Maestro England’s swing maestro, James Anderson, secures the eighth position with a rating of 739. Anderson’s ability to swing the ball both ways and exploit seam movement has made him a modern-day legend in Test cricket.
9. Shaheen Afridi: Pakistan’s Rising Star Pakistan’s rising pace sensation, Shaheen Afridi, occupies the ninth position with a rating of 733. Afridi’s raw pace and ability to extract bounce from any surface mark him as a bowler to watch out for in the years to come.
10. Kyle Jamieson: New Zealand’s Tall Pacer Completing the top ten is New Zealand’s towering pacer, Kyle Jamieson, with a rating of 729. Jamieson’s height and ability to generate steep bounce make him a potent weapon in New Zealand’s bowling arsenal.