Top 10 Teams With The Best Bowling Average In Test Cricket Since 2018

Bowling average is one of the most crucial parameters to judge how effective a bowler is, especially in Test Cricket. For those of you who don’t know, the bowling average is decided on the number of runs the bowler has conceded per wicket taken. Top-performing bowlers have significantly lower bowling averages than other bowlers.

A team’s effectiveness in the bowling department can be largely be attributed to its bowling average. The lower the average the better their bowlers are performing.

A fast bowler is one of the most vital cogs in a Test team. Teams that have a core of exceptional fast bowlers tend to succeed in international cricket. The ones who are making heads turn in Test Cricket boast of exceptional bowling averages.

On that note, we take a look at the top 10 teams which have the best bowling average for pacers in Tests since 2018 (minimum 10 Tests)

Top 10 Teams With The Best Bowling Average In Test Cricket Since 2018

Bangladesh: 48.36

Bangladesh sits at the bottom of the table and rightly so. The team have a few lethal spinners but lacks depth in their fast bowling department. In the recent past, the spinners have taken the majority of their wickets.

Since 2018, Bangladesh pacers have had a bowling average of 48.36, which certainly doesn’t bode well for their future in Test Cricket.

Zimbabwe: 35.01

Zimbabwe have a bowling average of 35.01 for pacers in Test Cricket since 2018. They have unearthed a special fast bowler in Blessing Muzarabani. In 6 games, he has managed to pick 19 wickets at 24.9. The other faster bowlers in the team, however, don’t inspire too much hope.

They recently played a one-off Test against Bangladesh, which they lost by 220 runs. Muzarabani picked 4 wickets in the first innings but there was little contribution from others.

Sri Lanka: 33.68

At number eight is Sri Lanka, who haven’t witnessed a lot of great things happen in Cricket for quite some time now. Sri Lanka’s performance has seen a sharp decline over the last few years.

They are currently ranked eighth in the ICC Men’s Test Team rankings. Since 2018, Sri Lanka’s pacers average 33.68 in Test Cricket, which is the eighth-best amongst the top 10 teams.

Pakistan: 28.70

Pakistan were ranked fifth in the World Test Championship points table 2019-21. They managed to claim only 4 wins out of the 12 games they played in the competition.

Their fast bowlers did a decent job during this period and would be keen to perform even better in the second edition of WTC. Since 2018, Pakistan’s pacers boast of an average of 28.70.

West Indies:

As far as West Indies’ bowling department is concerned, the pacers have claimed most of their wickets. They have a few great fast bowlers in their ranks such as Kemar Roach, Jason Holder, and Shannon Gabriel to name a few. Since 2018, they have averaged 26.23, which is the sixth-best amongst the top 10 teams.

England:

The likes of Anderson, Broad, and Archer among others have kept England in good stead in Test Cricket. England have been terrific since the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship. They won 11 games out of 21 during WTC 2019-21.

Their fast bowlers have been terrific all this while. They have in fact fifth-best bowling average amongst the top 10 teams since 2018. England are currently ranked fourth in the ICC Men’s Test Team Rankings.

Australia: 25.66

Since 2018, Australia have showcased telling performances in the longest format. The fast bowlers have been the key to their fortunes. The likes of Mitchell Starc, Hazlewood, and Patt Cummins have helped Australia dominate their oppositions in Test Cricket.

Since 2018, their bowlers have helped them win series against Pakistan, New Zealand, and other great teams. They might have lost the Test series against India but fast bowlers made the opposition’s life tough. They have an average of 25.66 in Tests since 2018.

New Zealand:

The emergence of Neil Wagner and Kyle Jamieson has made New Zealand a team to beat in Test Cricket. Their fast bowling attack has been a force to reckoned with in World Cricket.

The likes of Southee, Jamieson, and Boult went through the Indian batting line in the World Test Championship final and helped the team win their title. Since 2018, the fast bowlers averaged 24.75 in Tests- third best amongst the top 10 teams in Test Cricket.

South Africa:

South Africa might be struggling on the batting front but their bowling attack is as good as any. The Proteas boast of numerous world-class bowlers in their set-up, namely Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and Lungi Ngidi to name a few.

Since 2018, the fast bowlers boast an exceptional bowling average of 24.02 in Test Cricket. They recently whitewashed West Indies in the Test series, winning it by 2-0.

India:

The fact that India sits at the top tells you how much India’s fast bowling department has grown over the years. Today, India have as many as five fast bowlers in their bowling department who can bowl consistently at 140 clicks. The fast bowlers have helped India dominate the opposition in alien conditions.

They have managed to win series down under twice against Australia, thanks to India’s brilliant fast bowling attack. Since 2018, Indian fast bowlers have had the best bowling average (22.99) amongst the top 10 teams.

Sadly, their bowlers couldn’t perform well in the WTC final against New Zealand as India lost the summit clash. However, they finished the World Test Championship campaign at the number one position in the points table with 520 points to their name.