It is hard to look beyond fast bowlers when it comes to picking the most exciting breed of cricketers. The long winding run-ups and the dexterity of their whippy bowling actions always makes for a fascinating watch. It only gets better when every now and again, they produce an unplayable ‘jaffa’ that sends the stumps on a cartwheel. There is just something about the red ball used in Test cricket that brings out the very best in fast bowlers. The prodigious movement on offer, along with the attacking fields, makes for a far greater contest between bat and ball compared to the limited-overs formats. As Test cricket nears resumption with England’s upcoming series against the West Indies, we have attempted to rank the eight best pacers in the format currently. To do this, we have separated them into four tiers of two players apiece. Performances since the turn of 2018 have been given greater consideration. TIER 4 Mitchell Starc (Australia) The Australian speedster’s white-ball heroics usually take centrestage, but he is a pretty handy option to have in the five-day format as well. 244 wickets in 57 Tests might not be the returns of an elite red-ball pacer, though Starc’s numbers read well for a man who has only recently started to hit his stride in the format. While Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood might be Australia’s go-to options for pace, Starc’s left-armed variety and express pace provides a different dimension altogether. Since the start of 2018, Starc has claimed 77 wickets in just 18 Tests, at an impressive average of 25. In the same period, India seamer Mohammed Shami has managed to tally 85 wickets in 22 Tests. However, Starc’s unmatched superiority in day-night Tests helps the Aussie pip Shami to the spot in Tier 4. No other bowler has dominated with the pink ball like Starc, with the Australian grabbing as many as 42 wickets in just seven day-night Tests. Jasprit Bumrah (India) While Shami might have more wickets, it is his compatriot Jasprit Bumrah who joins Starc in the fourth tier. For a long while, the fast bowler with the most unique bowling action was considered to be just a white-ball specialist with his huge array of variations. Bumrah, though, has proved all doubters wrong with what has been a sensational introduction to Test cricket. Ever since making his red-ball bow in South Africa in 2018, the India pacer has gone from strength to strength with his overseas exploits. Remarkably, none of Bumrah’s 14 Test appearances have come on Indian soil, with the team management preserving the bowler for away tours. In this short period, Bumrah has picked up 68 wickets at a commendable average of 20.33. He played a starring role in India’s maiden Test series win on Australian soil, while he also helped himself to a hat-trick in the West Indies. A stress injury has thwarted his progress since a dream debut year in the format and he did show signs of rustiness on his return in New Zealand earlier this year. TIER 3 Tim Southee (New Zealand) New Zealand have been one of the strongest Test units in the last two years, and much of their success is built on a formidable pace triumvirate of Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner. Although Boult is the poster boy of the Kiwi pace attack, Southee has been the best of the lot since 2018. He might have a woeful record with super overs in the limited-overs formats, but a Southee with a red cherry in hand is a completely different proposition for batsmen. In his last 15 Test appearances, the New Zealand seamer has grabbed 76 wickets at an average of only 22.28. His natural out-swinger works like a treat on the green tops which usually greet batsmen in New Zealand and there aren’t any new-ball partnerships better than the one he has with Boult. His overall Test average of 29 does not flatter him, but Southee’s performances in the past two years have been up there with the very best. Jason Holder (West Indies) Since the turn of 2018, no bowler has averaged better than Windies skipper Jason Holder. A talent who is often underrated due to West Indies’ sharp decline, Holder has been carrying the Test side on his back with his all-round prowess. While he might not be express pace, Holder’s consistent lengths and the steep bounce he generates with his height are his real assets. In his last 11 tests, the Barbados man has picked up 53 wickets at an average of less than 15. In the same period, he has accounted for as many as five separate five-wicket hauls. His best bowling display came against Bangladesh in Kingston in 2018, with the all-rounder claiming 11 wickets across the two innings to inspire a Windies win. TIER 2 Kagiso Rabada (South Africa) Just three scalps separate Kagiso Rabada from breaching the 200-wicket barrier in the Test format and it will be a monumental achievement when the South African does complete the feat. Still only 25, Rabada has already blossomed into a leader of the Proteas pace attack. He has filled the void left by Dale Steyn’s injuries and eventual retirement and been a more than worthy successor to one of the greatest pacers of all time. Among pacers since 2018, only Cummins has picked up more Test wickets than Rabada’s 92. More importantly, Rabada’s scalps have come at a magnificent strike-rate of just 42. He is still the youngest bowler in history to attain the top ICC rankings and the South African will be desperate to get back to the summit now occupied by Cummins. Ishant Sharma (India) It has been some turnaround in Ishant Sharma’s fortunes in the past three to four years. From a man who was in danger of being banished to the cricketing wilderness, the India pacer has now transformed himself into one of the most respected red-ball bowlers in the circuit. Performing the role of the leader of the attack or that of a tireless workhorse, Ishant has seamlessly been at the forefront of India’s pace renaissance. A bowler who was very unlucky at times in the past, Ishant has now mastered the perfect lengths and lines to bring out the best in him. His overall career average still stands at 32.39, but the Indian has claimed a wicket for every 19 runs conceded since the turn of 2018. This average is even better than what the No1 ranked Cummins has managed in the same period. TIER 1 James Anderson (England) Despite being on the verge of turning 38, England’s James Anderson remains the gold standard for pacers with his remarkable powers of longevity. The England veteran has had his share of injuries and niggles in recent times, though he has still managed to deliver the goods when fit. In his last 18 Tests, Anderson has averaged less than 23 after picking up a total of 62 wickets. Even at his advancing age, Anderson will always be a threat when swing is available. His career might now be on its last legs, but the all-time leading wicket-taker among pacers will definitely be eyeing the 600-dismissals milestone before he calls it a day. Pat Cummins (Australia) Pat Cummins’ exploits in the last three years means he is more than deserving of the No1 ICC ranking currently bestowed on him. The Australia speedster has had a superb resurgence after an injury-riddled period of nearly half a decade and he now rarely misses any game for his country. What makes Cummins tick is his amazing consistency irrespective of the opposition and conditions on offer. Since the start of 2018, the Australian has picked up a staggering 107 wickets at an impressive average of 20. This is 15 more than any other pacer in the same period and a big reason why Cummins is at the top of the rankings. There is barely any difference in Cummins’ average at home or away, and that is the hallmark of a truly elite bowler. Having just turned 27, there is still plenty more to come from Cummins and it will be exciting to see how his career unfolds. He can become an all-time great is he keeps up his currently form.
from Sport360 - Latest Sports News https://sport360.com/article/cricket/international-cricket/343862/the-best-test-pacers-in-the-world-pat-cummins-is-different-class-and-james-anderson-is-evergreen
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