10 Bowlers With The Most Days As The Number 1 Test Bowler

Most of the bowlers dream to get to the number one position in ICC test rankings and to hold on to the position is a much difficult task than it looks as there might be off days. However, certain bowlers have enjoyed it the most and they have made conscious efforts through performances to stay at the number one position.

It is not easy as a fast bowler in test cricket as they have to deal with a lot of injuries while the spinners have to be very consistent to keep their spot on the team. With a note on that, it is time to look at 10 bowlers with the most days as the number 1 test bowler.

10 Bowlers With The Most Days As The Number 1 Test Bowler:

Dale Steyn:

Dale Steyn holds the record for being the number one bowler in tests for the most number of days. The South African speedster was a revelation in international cricket and his raw pace was always a challenge for the batsman.

He held the number one position in ICC test rankings for 2343 days. Steyn picked up 439 wickets in 93 Tests at an average of 22.9 and he is considered to be one of the greatest bowlers in the modern day.

Curtly Ambrose:

Curtly Ambrose holds the second position in the list of bowlers who held the number one position for a long time. The West Indian tall fast bowler is one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time and he has picked up 405 wickets in 98 Tests at an average of 21.

Ambrose held the number one position in ICC test rankings for 1719 days and he used his height to his advantage always.

Muttiah Muralitharan:

Muttiah Muralitharan is considered to be one of the greatest off-spinners of all time and he has the most number of wickets in test cricket. He is the only bowler to touch the landmark of 800 wickets in tests and he held the number one position for a long time with 1711 days.

Muralitharan played 133 tests for Sri Lanka and his action was very popular as he tormented a lot of batting orders with it.

Glenn McGrath:

Glenn McGrath is one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time and he held the number one position in test rankings for 1306 days which wasn’t a surprise.

The Australian tall fast bowler had the ability to hit the good lengths consistently at some good speeds and he picked 563 wickets in 124 test matches at an average of 21.6. He is fourth on the list of bowlers who held the number one position for most days.

Pat Cummins:

Pat Cummins is the current number, one bowler, in ICC test rankings and he has already shaken the cricket world by holding on to the position for 701 days.

Cummins has been excellent for Australia in the last two years and he is also the highest wicket-taker in the ICC World Test Championship. He has played just 34 tests so far picking up 164 wickets at an average of 21.6.

Shaun Pollock:

Shaun Pollock is one of the best bowlers to have played from his nation and he had a great career as an all-rounder. Pollock played 108 tests picking up 421 wickets at an average of 23.1 and he was one of the great exponents of seam bowling in the powerplay.

Pollock is sixth on the list of bowling by holding on to the position of 697 days as the number one bowler in tests.

Allan Donald:

Allan Donald was one of the greatest bowlers of his generation and the South African speedster created havoc among the batting lineups of various nations.

Donald played 72 tests picking up 330 wickets at an average of 22.2 and his partnership alongside Pollock with the new ball was a joy to watch for the fans in the stadium. He held the number one position for bowlers in ICC test rankings for 596 days which is the seventh most.

Malcolm Marshall:

Malcolm Marshall is by far, the best bowler of his era and he is one of the all-time greatest bowlers in test cricket. The West Indian fast bowler had a lot of pace in his armory and he played 81 tests picking up 376 wickets at a stunning average of 20.9.

Marshall held on to the number one position in ICC test rankings for bowlers with 434 days which is the eighth-most in history.

James Anderson:

James Anderson is one of the modern-day greats of the game and he is just two wickets away from becoming the third-highest wicket-taker in test cricket overall.

Anderson who was predominantly a swing bowler has played 162 tests so far and has picked up 617 wickets at an average of 26.7. He has the most number of wickets by a fast bowler in test history and he held the number one position for 378 days.

Kagiso Rabada:

Kagiso Rabada has been one of the best bowlers in world cricket at the moment in all the formats and he made his debut in test cricket in 2015.

He also reached a lot of heights and is well on the way to break a lot of records. He has picked up 208 wickets in 46 tests so far at an average of 23.0 and the 26-year-old held on to the number one position in ICC test bowler rankings for 223 days.