5 Bowlers Who Can Make It Into Any Playing XI Across All Formats

Updated - 06 Apr 2020, 07:46 PM

Indian pace troika. BCCI Twitter

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International cricket has become a lot more competitive because of the uprise of multiple formats being played at the same time. Consequently, some bowlers have found it very difficult to remain the best in all three formats. A lot of them are good in two formats, but in the third format, they fail to excel, which is a big problem.

However, some bowlers are definitely having a cracker of a show in world cricket at the moment. These are the ones who can bowl in any style in any format for any team. These bowlers have changed their game over time and also with the format. As a result of which, they have become successful.

Five Bowlers Who Can Score A Test Century, Laxmipathi Balaji, Indian Bowlers — Indian bowling attack (Credits – Getty)

Today we will tell you about those five bowlers who are currently playing international cricket and all the teams would like to include them in all formats. However, the names of some legendary names aren’t in the list which might surprise you.

5 Bowlers Who Can Play For Any Team In The World

5. Jofra Archer

Jofra Archer, the young English bowler, features at number 5 in this list. Jofra Archer has started playing for England since last year. But soon, he began playing for England in all three formats and also became their leading fast bowler.

Archer took 30 wickets for England in 7 Tests at an average of 27.4, while in 14 ODIs he took 23 wickets for his team at an average of 24.74. Archer has played only one T20 match for England so far in which he has taken two wickets. Archer can surely play from any team and any format.

Jofra Archer’s future looks very bright. Archer has been pretty impressive with the new ball and the old ball. His performance during the death overs is seen playing a vital role in the team’s victory.

4. Pat Cummins

Pat Cummins, Australia vs Pakistan 2019 — Pat Cummins. Credit: Getty Images

Australia’s fast bowler Pat Cummins is at number 4 in this list. Pat Cummins has evolved as a better bowler in the last few years. Now he can be seen playing the role of an important player in all the three formats for the Australia team.

Pat Cummins has scalped 143 wickets in 30 Tests for Australia at an average of 21.83. Whereas, in 64 ODIs, Cummins has taken 105 wickets at an average of 27.55. Meanwhile, in 28 T20 matches, Pat Cummins has taken 36 wickets at an impressive average of 19.86. This makes him a perfect bowler who can play from any team and in any format.

3. Kagiso Rabada

Jasprit Bumrah, Kasgiso Rabada — Kagiso Rabada (Credits – Getty)

South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada is at number 3 in this list. Kagiso Rabada has proved himself as a seasoned campaigner in the recent past. He is now playing as the lead bowler for the South Africa team in all three formats.

Kagiso Rabada has taken 197 wickets in 43 Tests for South Africa at an average of 22.95. Meanwhile, in 75 ODIs, he has taken 117 wickets at an average of 27.34. Rabada has also taken 30 wickets in 24 T20 matches at an average of 25.4. Thus, he can play from any team and in any format.

2. Mitchell Starc

Another Australian fast bowler, Mitchell Starc, is at number 2 in this list. Mitchell Starc has improved himself by working on his shortcomings. In today’s time, he is seen playing the role of a key bowler in all three formats for the Australia team.

Mitchell Starc has clinched 244 wickets in 57 Tests for Australia at an average of 26.98. Whereas, in 91 ODIs, he has picked 178 wickets at an average of 22.23. In 31 T20 matches, he has taken 43 crucial wickets at an average of 18.65. He was one of the key reasons behind Australia’s victory in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. Thus he becomes one of the apparent players for any team and in any format.

1. Jasprit Bumrah

Currently, the leading bowler of the Indian team, Jasprit Bumrah, features at number 1 in this list. Bumrah has proved himself as a great bowler in all the three formats. Due to which he can be seen as Indian bowling’s main asset.

Jasprit Bumrah has picked 68 wickets at an average of 20.34 in 14 Tests for the Indian team. Whereas, in 64 ODIs, he has taken 104 wickets at an average of 24.43. In 49 T20 matches, he has taken 59 wickets at an average of 20.25. This makes him a perfect contender to play for any team.