5 Fast Bowlers Who Have The Potential To Lead Their Side In International Cricket

Fast Bowlers are always a delight to watch for the cricket fans when they keep the ball talking in international matches  — and it takes a huge amount of hard work to sustain for a longer period. They have always had to undergo a lot of injury scares and the management never wants to risk the bowler when he is even half fit.

Such has been the importance of those bowlers in the squad and they become the X factor for the side when they play against the big teams. They step up to the occasion and their consistency can never be questioned. There have been a lot of fast bowlers who have captained their nations really well and in the modern era, it is time to look at 5 fast bowlers who have the potential to captain their side in international cricket.

5 Fast Bowlers Who Have The Potential To Lead Their Side In International Cricket:

Pat Cummins:

Pat Cummins is the number one test bowler in the world at the moment and he has been a great asset to the Australian side in the three formats. The 28-year-old has picked up the most wickets in the World Test Championship so far and his line and lengths have been really threatening.

Cummins has played 34 Tests, 69 ODIs, and 30 T20I and has picked up 164, 111, and 37 wickets respectively in the formats. He has been an important part of the fast bowling trio alongside Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc. He has always been in contention to lead the national side and his performances certainly have shown that he should be made the captain.

Trent Boult:

Trent Boult leads the chart in the ICC ODI bowling rankings and he certainly deserves the place for his excellent spells in the powerplay and at the death overs. The left-arm seamer does move the ball both ways and he is a regular wicket-taker for the side.

The 31-year-old has been magnificent so far having played 71 tests, 93 ODIs, and 34 T20Is, and has picked up 281, 169, and 46 wickets respectively. Boult hasn’t been given the captaincy responsibility yet of captaining the side despite his excellent form and the time has come up for him to shoulder the side in the absence of regular skipper Kane Williamson.

Shaheen Shah Afridi:

Shaheen Shah Afridi has been performing really well for Pakistan in all the formats and the left-arm seamer does seem to be one who can be reliable for a long period of time. Pakistan has always looked to upbringing fast bowlers and they should be given the credit for grooming the youngster.

Shaheen Shah Afridi has played 17 Tests, 25 ODIs, and 25 T20s so far and has picked up 58, 51, and 27 wickets respectively in the formats.  Even if he isn’t picking up the wicket, the tall quick has always been on the defensive side and his pace is something that can be worked with in the future.

Kagiso Rabada:

Kagiso Rabada has risen to be the number one bowler for South Africa in all the formats and he has been leading the pace attack for his nation in the last three years or so. Rabada’s pace is always an added advantage to his side and he can hit the deadly bouncers at will against any batsmen.

Rabada has played 45 Tests, 77 ODIs, and 26 T20 internationals so far for South Africa and he has gone on to pick up 202, 119, and 31 wickets respectively in the formats. He generally hurries up the batsman and his lengths are quite hard to get away for the batsmen. He is a treat to watch when he is on song and is a regular feature in all the formats for the Proteas.

Jasprit Bumrah:

Jasprit Bumrah is India’s number one bowler in all formats and he has made the Indian pace attack look stronger than ever with his excellent control over his lengths and lines. He has an unorthodox action which can be very awkward for the batsman and gets into the act always for his side.

The 27-year-old has played 19 Tests, 67 ODIs, and 50 T20 internationals for India and has picked up 83, 108, and 59 wickets in the formats respectively. His economy rate is stunning comparing to the best fast bowlers going around in the world at the moment and he can generate good speeds too. He is a match-winner for the country in all formats and is one of the best death bowlers in the world. He is ready to captain the country when the team needs him