At the very top of his list, Anderson placed England legend Ian Botham. Botham enjoyed a remarkable international career, finishing with 528 wickets at an average of 28.44. He also took 27 five-wicket hauls, and his ability to switch play with both ball and bat clearly earned him the top spot in Anderson’s list of the best fast bowlers.
James Anderson names the best fast bowlers ever
The Englishman placed former South African speedster Dale Steyn in second place. Known for his raw pace, aggression and consistency across all formats during his celebrated career, Steyn is one of the greatest pacers the game has ever seen. The Proteas great ended his international career with 699 wickets at an average of 23.37 and 29 five-wicket hauls to his name.
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India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah also found a place in England’s legendary elite club of fast bowlers of the greatest fast bowlers. Bumrah was ranked third by Anderson. The Indian pacer has already taken 484 international wickets and has an incredible bowling average of under 21.
Bumrah’s unorthodox action, deadly accuracy and ability to produce results in all conditions have made him one of the most feared bowlers in modern cricket. Interestingly, Bumrah was elected ahead of Wasim Akram, Shaun Pollock, Lasith Malinga and Mitchell Johnson.
Wasim Akram and Michael Holding are among James Anderson’s greatest bowlers
Pakistan great Wasim Akram was ranked fourth and Anderson labeled him as the best left-arm fast bowler. Akram finished his career with an impressive 916 international wickets, which puts him third on the list of all-time fast bowlers, behind only Anderson himself and Glenn McGrath.
West Indies legend Michael Holding took the fifth spot. Holding, who was known for his smooth run-up and tremendous speed, finished his international career with 391 wickets at an excellent average of 22.84. He remains one of the most stylish and effective fast bowlers the game has ever seen.
Meanwhile, former Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga was also picked by Anderson at No. 6, mainly due to his dominance in white-ball cricket, where his unique sling-arm action and deadly yorkers made him almost unplayable. Malinga ended his international career with 546 wickets.
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Mitchell Johnson was ranked 9th best fast bowler
Former South African captain Shaun Pollock was at number seven. Pollock, who was known for his control and consistency rather than raw pace and was one of the most reliable fast bowlers of his era, took 829 international wickets at an average of less than 24.
New Zealand left-arm pacer Trent Boult was ranked eighth by the former England fast bowler. Boult has taken over 600 international wickets at an average of 25.60. Anderson named his former rival and former Australian pacer, Mitchell Johnson, at ninth spot.
The left-arm pacer finished his career with 590 international wickets at an average of 26.65, claiming 15 five-wicket hauls. The final spot in Anderson’s top 10 went to his former teammate Jofra Archer. The England seamer has shown immense potential despite his injuries and has taken 163 international wickets so far.
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