Waj’s Wicket Wednesday’s – Best Bowlers in the World

Just to clarify, I am picking in no order, therefore the stats will not decide the top players. For me, 2011 and now early 2012 highlighted the importance of having quality hard working bowlers in any side when trying to dominate on a consistent basis.

Starting with the quicks, Dale Steyn once again had an impressive past 12 months showing off his pace and swing, whilst the English fast men including Stuart Broad and James Anderson also had good seasons in 2011. The Aussie workhorse Peter Siddle gained a few yards of pace and proved his worth, especially in the recent series against India.

Steyn, Anderson and Broad had a lot of competition from a few new comers at the international level last year as well. The young left arm quickie (no surprise) from Pakistan Junaid Khan looks impressive, talented Umesh Yadav form India also looks to be a proper fast bowler. You have to also include Zaheer Khan who was the leading wicket taker in the World Cup where he was unplayable with the old ball.

Likewise, you can’t forget the 18 year old form Australia, Patrick Cummins, a rare find who has a bright future. The South African camp unearthed their secret weapon named Vernon Philander who absolutely ripped through the Aussies in 2011 and just keeps getting five-fors. I could go on and on but these guys stood out.

Now the hard part; picking three fast bowlers. If I was picking my best 11 of recent times, these would be the fast bowlers I’d include.

Dale Steyn

This guy is unstoppable, you would think he will breakdown but year after year, series after series he keeps delivering for his side and maintains his performance level. His specialty is Test Matches and in 2011 he took 28 wickets at an outstanding average of 19.57. All I can say is wow because he is so good and so consistent.

Vernon Philander

Another South African but completely different bowler to Steyn. He made his debut in Tests against Australia and took a five for right away and never looked back as he won the Man of the Series Award. He has only played a few tests thus far but from what I saw he is smart and just keeps at you like a McGrath would do, they aren’t the quickest of bowlers but very effective. If you look at his stats you would think there is a typing error because from his first three Tests he had 24 wickets at a ridicuois average of 12.37.

Patrick Cummins

Although he is injured at the moment he really did excite everyone with his energy and most of all talent that is hard to come by. He has pace swing and control which is rare in someone who is only 18. His performances in T20s and ODIs led him to the Test XI for Australia and debuted against the intimidating South Africans at home, but no worries for Pat as he produced a match winning spell of 6 for 79 in the second innings to help Australia defeat the Proteas.

Out of the spinners there are a few standouts including Graeme Swann who keeps doing well, Shakib al Hasan who is a lone man in the Bangladeshi line up to be honest, Saeed Ajmal who keeps weaving his magic and keeps troubling all sides with the one and only Shaid Afridi. From India, Ravichandran Ashwin is also a good find replacing the experienced Harbhajan Singh, whilst Herath has been doing pretty well for the Lankans and the Aussie selectors have finally stuck to a spinner in the form of Nathan Lyon who has impressed.

For me if I were to pick one spinner, it’s a no brainer.

Saeed Ajmal

He has it all; the off spinner, the toppy, arm ball, quicker ball, also the best of the lot, the doosra. He had a really good World Cup and just kept the form right throughout 2011. In tests he took 50 wickets at an average of 23.86 and in One Dayers he took 34 wickets at an average of 17.08 which isn’t too bad is it. He conveyed his mountains of skills against England overnight as he absolutely destroyed the world number one’s, taking career best figures in tests of 7 for 55.

So those are my best bowlers of 2011 and early 2012, but who do you think is worth a go? A lot of bowlers have impressed lately, so who would you pick? Let us know in the comments section!