Cricket has seen many great bowlers over the years. These players used skill, speed, spin, and accuracy to trouble batters and win matches for their teams. From Muralitharan’s amazing spin to Wasim Akram’s deadly swing, they changed how bowling is seen in the game.
Here is a list of the Top 10 Greatest Bowlers in Cricket History (Updated 2025) based on their records, big performances, and the mark they left on the sport.
10. Dennis Lillee (Australia)
Career: 1971–present
Bowling Style: Right-arm fast
| Format | Mat | Inns | Wkts | Ave | Econ | 4w | 5w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 70 | 132 | 355 | 23.92 | 2.75 | 23 | 7 |
| ODIs | 63 | 63 | 103 | 20.82 | 3.58 | 10 | 0 |
- Total Intl. Wickets: 355 (355 Tests & ODIs combined — 355 Tests, ODIs were fewer in his era)
- Major Trophies: ICC Cricket World Cup finalist (1975)
- Legacy:
Lillee was the face of aggressive fast bowling. With pace and fire, he scared batters around the world and helped define Australia’s competitive spirit.
9.Saqlain Mushtaq (Pakistan)
Career: 1995–present
Bowling Style: Right-arm off-spin
| Format | Mat | Inns | Wkts | Ave | Econ | 4w | 5w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 49 | 86 | 208 | 29.83 | 2.64 | 12 | 3 |
| ODIs | 169 | 165 | 288 | 21.78 | 4.29 | 16 | 0 |
- Total Intl. Wickets: 496 (208 Tests, 288 ODIs)
- Major Trophies: ICC Cricket World Cup finalist (1999)
- Legacy:
Saqlain invented the “doosra,” transforming off-spin bowling. He was a match-winner for Pakistan in the late 90s with sharp variations and control.
8.Curtly Ambrose (West Indies)
Career: 1988–present
Bowling Style: Right-arm fast
| Format | Mat | Inns | Wkts | Ave | Econ | 4w | 5w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 98 | 179 | 405 | 20.99 | 2.30 | 21 | 23 |
| ODIs | 176 | 175 | 255 | 24.12 | 3.48 | 41 | 5 |
- Total Intl. Wickets: 630 (405 Tests, 225 ODIs)
- Major Trophies: ICC Champions Trophy (1998 – shared)
- Legacy:
Ambrose was a towering fast bowler with deadly bounce and accuracy. He dismantled batting line-ups with unrelenting precision and calm menace.
7.Anil Kumble (India)
Career: 1990–present
Bowling Style: Right-arm leg-spin
| Format | Mat | Inns | Wkts | Ave | Econ | 4w | 5w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 132 | 236 | 561 | 29.65 | 2.69 | 31 | 35 |
| ODIs | 271 | 265 | 323 | 30.89 | 4.30 | 20 | 6 |
- Total Intl. Wickets: 956 (619 Tests, 337 ODIs)
- Major Trophies: None major ICC trophy wins as player, but India’s Test captain
- Legacy:
Kumble was India’s most successful bowler, known for his fierce competitiveness. He famously took all 10 wickets in a Test innings and led India with grit.
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6. dale steyn (South Africa)
Career: 2004–present
Bowling Style: Right-arm fast
| Format | Mat | Inns | Wkts | Ave | Econ | 4w | 5w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 93 | 171 | 439 | 22.95 | 3.24 | 27 | 26 |
| ODIs | 125 | 124 | 196 | 25.95 | 4.87 | 3 | 0 |
| T20Is | 47 | 47 | 64 | 18.35 | 6.94 | 4 | 0 |
- Total Intl. Wickets: 699 (439 Tests, 196 ODIs, 64 T20Is)
- Major Trophies: ICC Champions Trophy semifinalist
- Legacy:
Steyn combined raw pace with swing and aggression. At his peak, he was feared by all, delivering fiery spells and leading South Africa’s attack worldwide.
5. Glenn McGrath (Australia)
Career: 1993–present
Bowling Style: Right-arm fast-medium
| Format | Mat | Inns | Wkts | Ave | Econ | 4w | 5w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 124 | 243 | 563 | 21.64 | 2.49 | 28 | 29 |
| ODIs | 250 | 248 | 381 | 22.02 | 3.88 | 34 | 9 |
| T20Is | 22 | 22 | 9 | 15.80 | 9.87 | 0 | 0 |
- Total Intl. Wickets: 949 (563 Tests, 381 ODIs, 1 T20I)
- Major Trophies: ICC Cricket World Cups (1999, 2003, 2007)
- Legacy:
McGrath was famous for relentless accuracy and big-game performances. He is remembered for breaking partnerships and delivering under pressure in World Cups.
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4. Wasim Akram (Pakistan)
Career: 1984–present
Bowling Style: Left-arm fast
| Format | Mat | Inns | Wkts | Ave | Econ | 4w | 5w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 104 | 181 | 414 | 23.62 | 2.59 | 20 | 25 |
| ODIs | 356 | 351 | 502 | 23.52 | 3.89 | 17 | 6 |
- Total Intl. Wickets: 916 (414 Tests, 502 ODIs)
- Major Trophies: ICC Cricket World Cup (1992)
- Legacy:
Called the Sultan of Swing, Akram mastered both conventional and reverse swing. A left-arm artist who could win matches on his own, he was Pakistan’s talisman for over a decade.
3. James Anderson (England)
Career: 2002–present
Bowling Style: Right-arm fast-medium
| Format | Mat | Inns | Wkts | Ave | Econ | 4w | 5w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 188 | 350 | 704 | 26.45 | 2.79 | 32 | 32 |
| ODIs | 194 | 191 | 269 | 29.22 | 4.92 | 11 | 2 |
| T20Is | 19 | 19 | 18 | 30.66 | 7.84 | 0 | 0 |
James Anderson
- Total Intl. Wickets: 975+ (700+ Tests, 269 ODIs, 18 T20Is as of 2025)
- Major Trophies: Ashes series wins (multiple)
- Legacy:
Anderson is the most successful fast bowler in Test history. Famous for his skillful swing and control, he’s still playing into his 40s, proving longevity and class.
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2. Shane Warne (Australia)
Career: 1992–present
Bowling Style: Right-arm leg-spin
| Format | Mat | Inns | Wkts | Ave | Econ | 4w | 5w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 145 | 273 | 708 | 25.41 | 2.65 | 48 | 37 |
| ODIs | 194 | 191 | 293 | 25.73 | 4.25 | 12 | 1 |
- Total Intl. Wickets: 1001 (708 Tests, 293 ODIs)
- Major Trophies: ICC Cricket World Cup (1999)
- Legacy:
Warne revived leg-spin bowling in an era dominated by pace. Known for his big turn and mind games, he was a match-winner in all conditions. The “Ball of the Century” is part of cricket legend.
1. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka)
Career: 1992–present
Bowling Style: Right-arm off-spin
| Format | Mat | Inns | Wkts | Ave | Econ | 4w | 5w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 133 | 230 | 800 | 22.72 | 2.47 | 45 | 67 |
| ODIs | 350 | 341 | 534 | 23.08 | 3.93 | 15 | 10 |
| T20Is | 12 | 12 | 13 | 22.84 | 6.31 | 0 | 0 |
- Total Intl. Wickets: 1347+ (800 Tests, 534 ODIs, 13 T20Is)
- Major Trophies: ICC Cricket World Cup finalist (2007)
- Legacy:
Muralitharan is cricket’s highest wicket-taker and a spin wizard who bamboozled batters everywhere. He dominated for nearly two decades with unmatched turn and accuracy. His 800 Test wickets is a record many believe will never be broken.
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