Top 15 Non-Asian Fast Bowlers In Tests In Asia

All Test Ratings on the website are from 01/01/1950 onwards. Our ratings are based on conditions and diverse oppositions. Before the above mentioned date, there were primarily only two teams which dominated cricket. Moreover, matches were of unequal length with some ending in 4 days and some being timeless. Post 1950, West Indies and South Africa grew as test teams. Moreover, Asian teams India and Pakistan started improving after 1950 and became compenent at home at least. Performance in Asia and outside Asia are integral to our overall rating. How the rating works is explained in highlighted sections. So, here are the Top 15 Non Asian Fast bowlers in matches In Asia

*Note: All Test Ratings are updated till 2023-01-08

NA IN A Rating

This rating only include stats of Non Asian Fast bowlers in matches In Asia. The rating is divided into sections to make it easy to understand how it is calculated. Before each section, its criteria is highlighted in bold. Our ratings are dynamic, and as new matches are played, the rating of earlier bowlers may change if current bowlers set new benchmarks.

The Trend Setter

The Trend Setter (TS) is the player which does the best in a criteria. The rating of all other players are calculated as percentage points of TS. Let’s taken an example to understand it:-

  • Let’s assume that Glenn McGrath has taken 500 wkts, which is the highest. This makes him the TS.
  • Another player, say Jason Gillespie, has taken 250 wkts.
  • If the rating is out of 250, McGrath will get the full points (pts), that is 250.
  • The points of Gillespie are calculated as His Wkts/McGrath’s Wkts*250. This comes out to be 125.
  • Thus the formula is (Wkts Taken/Wkts Taken By TS)*Max Points.
  • All ratings are calculated similarly with Wkts being replaced by the Criteria Stat.
  • Obviously, for average the formula is reverased as the lower average is better for a bowler.
  • For Average and Strike Rate, a bowler is eligible to be TS only if he has taken a minimum number of wickets, which are mentioned in the qualificaton.
  • Lastly, it is to be noted that it is not necessary for a TS to be part of the rating as he might have topped in a criteria but not done well in others.

QUALIFICATION


Min Innings 10
Min Wickets (TS AVE SR) 25
The Eras

The first criteria Prolific gives points for wkts taken. We have divided cricket from 1950 onwards into 3 broad eras. This has been done to make it fair for players from earlier era, when less cricket was played, and also for current players, who are in the middle of their careers. Let’s take an example:-

  • Let’s assume Murlidharan has taken 500 wickets, which is the maximum and gives him 250 points.
  • Now, say Underwood in earlier times took 250 wkts, which was the max for his era.
  • If there are no eras, he would get 50% of the pts, that is 125.
  • Instead of that, we reduced 50 pts (according to %age) from the max to arrive at the figure of 200 pts for Underwood.
  • Now, everyone in his era is compared to Underwood and not Murlidharan.
  • So a player who has taken 50 Wkts in Underwood’s era will get (50/250)*200 pts or 40pts.
  • Eras are calculated by MP, which is the mean of the years a player: First Played (FP) and Last Played (LP).

PROLIFIC


Criteria: Points For Wickets Taken

Era 1 MP before 1991
Era 2 MP between 1990 and 2016
Era 3 MP greater than 2015
RANK ERA 1 NAT FP LP MP INNS WKTS RAT
TS MD Marshall WI 1978 1991 1984.5 34 71 230.00
1 MD Marshall WI 1978 1991 1984.5 34 71 230.00
2 RJ Hadlee NZ 1973 1990 1981.5 22 68 220.28
3 WW Hall WI 1958 1969 1963.5 22 54 174.93
4 AME Roberts WI 1974 1983 1978.5 17 49 158.73
5 AK Davidson AUS 1953 1963 1958 20 44 142.54
6 GD McKenzie AUS 1961 1971 1966 17 42 136.06
7 JK Lever ENG 1976 1986 1981 19 41 132.82
8 DR Hadlee NZ 1969 1978 1973.5 12 21 68.03
RANK ERA 2 NAT FP LP MP INNS WKTS RAT
TS DW Steyn SA 2004 2019 2011.5 38 92 250.00
1 DW Steyn SA 2004 2019 2011.5 38 92 250.00
2 JM Anderson ENG 2003 2022 2012.5 51 82 222.83
3 CA Walsh WI 1984 2001 1992.5 31 77 209.24
4 GD McGrath AUS 1993 2007 2000 36 72 195.65
5 SM Pollock SA 1995 2008 2001.5 31 60 163.04
6 JN Gillespie AUS 1996 2006 2001 27 54 146.74
RANK ERA 3 NAT FP LP MP INNS WKTS RAT
TS MA Starc AUS 2011 2022 2016.5 28 50 200.00
1 MA Starc AUS 2011 2022 2016.5 28 50 200.00
C Ave

The Comparative Average (C Ave) for bowlers is calculated by taken into account two factors:-

  • First is the average of batsmen in the decades the bowler played.
  • Second is the average of the opposition batsmen at Home, in Asia or outside Asia; whichever is applicable.
  • The average of the opposing team’s batsmen is also calculated by decades.
  • Higher C Ave suggest that more runs were scored by the batsmen in the above mentioned factors.
  • Thus it was difficult to get Wkts and the bowler will benefit from this.
  • Lower C Ave means the opposite.
R Ave

The Relative Average (R Ave) is calculated using the C Ave. Its formula is (Bowler Ave/C Ave)*A Constant Factor. This constant doesn’t affect the rating as it is the same for everone. If your C Ave is comparatively high, your R Ave will be low; which is better for bowlers. Broadly speaking, the following bowlers will benefit from this system:-

  • Bowlers who have played more in unfavourable conditions.
  • Asian fast bowlers and Non-Asian spin bowlers whereever applicable.
  • Bowlers who have played in an era where the batsmen dominated, like the 2000s
  • Bowlers who have played more against top opposition than weaker teams.
Top Teams (TT)

The R Ave Rating is divided into two parts:-

  • One is Overall which gives points for the overall R Ave.
  • The second part is Against Top Teams, which gives points for R Ave against top teams.
  • Win/Loss Ratio is used to determine top teams.
  • The top teams are calculated by decades.
  • Further, they are divided into In Asia and Outside Asia.
  • To be a top team, the team should be among the top teams in the specific condition (Asia or outside Asia) or among the top teams of the decade overall.
  • A bowler’s performace is counted in TT if he palyed against it in the specific condition and in the specific decade.
  • The Top Teams may be found in the last section of the rating.

CONSISTENT


Criteria: Points For Relative Average

Against All Teams

RANK BOWLER INNS RUNS WKTS AVE C AVE R AVE RAT
TS AA Donald 16 732 36 20.33 33.47 19.44 250.00
1 DR Hadlee 12 334 21 15.90 30.12 16.90 250.00
2 GD McKenzie 17 786 42 18.71 30.70 19.51 249.15
3 AK Davidson 20 786 44 17.86 28.74 19.89 244.41
4 CA Walsh 31 1581 77 20.53 32.37 20.30 239.47
5 SM Pollock 31 1391 60 23.18 35.69 20.79 233.81
6 AME Roberts 17 1055 49 21.53 32.75 21.04 231.03
7 JN Gillespie 27 1283 54 23.76 36.07 21.08 230.61
8 GD McGrath 36 1658 72 23.03 34.95 21.09 230.52
9 RJ Hadlee 22 1469 68 21.60 32.20 21.47 226.40
10 JK Lever 19 926 41 22.59 33.15 21.80 222.95
11 DW Steyn 38 2219 92 24.12 35.12 21.98 221.18
12 WW Hall 22 1083 54 20.06 28.87 22.23 218.68
13 MD Marshall 34 1637 71 23.06 31.90 23.13 210.18
14 JM Anderson 51 2196 82 26.78 35.64 24.05 202.13
15 MA Starc 28 1450 50 29.00 35.01 26.51 183.38
C SR And R SR

The Comparative Strike Rate (C SR) and Relative Strike Rate (R SR) for bowlers is calculated using the same method as in C Ave and R Ave with average replaced with SR. Points to note are:-

  • Bowlers from the earlier era benefit from R SR.
  • This is because more balls were taken to get a Wkt back then as batsmen had better defensive technique.
  • Rest of the factors are the same as in R Ave

ATTACKING


Criteria: Points For R SR or Relative Balls/Wkt

RANK BOWLER INNS BLS WKTS SR C SR R SR RAT
TS WW Hall 22 2373 54 43.94 74.18 38.50 200.00
1 WW Hall 22 2373 54 43.94 74.18 38.50 200.00
2 DR Hadlee 12 974 21 46.38 74.15 40.66 189.41
3 RJ Hadlee 22 2909 68 42.78 67.73 41.05 187.58
4 DW Steyn 38 3955 92 42.99 67.43 41.44 185.84
5 AME Roberts 17 2305 49 47.04 69.65 43.90 175.42
6 CA Walsh 31 3485 77 45.26 66.04 44.54 172.88
7 GD McKenzie 17 2313 42 55.07 74.77 47.87 160.85
8 JK Lever 19 2137 41 52.12 70.03 48.38 159.17
9 JN Gillespie 27 2759 54 51.09 68.55 48.45 158.96
10 MD Marshall 34 3461 71 48.75 64.97 48.77 157.90
11 MA Starc 28 2679 50 53.58 68.10 51.14 150.59
12 AK Davidson 20 2590 44 58.86 74.05 51.67 149.05
13 GD McGrath 36 3951 72 54.88 68.94 51.74 148.84
14 SM Pollock 31 3411 60 56.85 67.78 54.52 141.25
15 JM Anderson 51 5198 82 63.39 68.76 59.92 128.52
BBW

In this criteria, we have taken the top 5 bowling performances by Wkts of a bowler. Best Bowling By Wickets (BBW) is simply the total wickets taken in the 5 innings divided by 5.

BEST BOWLING (WKTS)


Criteria: Points For Wkts Taken In Top 7 Inns

RANK BOWLER 1 2 3 4 5 BBW RAT
TS GD McKenzie 6/58 6/67 6/69 5/69 4/33 5.40 150.00
1 GD McKenzie 6/58 6/67 6/69 5/69 4/33 5.40 150.00
1 DW Steyn 7/51 5/23 5/54 5/56 5/82 5.40 150.00
3 AME Roberts 7/64 5/50 5/57 5/66 4/121 5.20 144.44
3 CA Walsh 6/79 5/54 5/54 5/78 5/143 5.20 144.44
3 RJ Hadlee 6/49 5/29 5/65 5/73 5/121 5.20 144.44
6 AK Davidson 7/93 5/31 4/42 4/48 4/62 4.80 133.33
6 MA Starc 6/50 5/44 5/63 4/33 4/84 4.80 133.33
6 WW Hall 6/50 5/76 5/87 4/28 4/49 4.80 133.33
6 MD Marshall 6/37 5/33 5/72 4/19 4/24 4.80 133.33
10 JM Anderson 6/40 5/72 4/17 4/36 4/40 4.60 127.78
10 SM Pollock 6/78 5/37 4/24 4/48 4/81 4.60 127.78
10 JK Lever 7/46 5/59 5/100 3/24 3/42 4.60 127.78
13 GD McGrath 5/66 4/18 4/41 4/55 4/92 4.20 116.67
14 JN Gillespie 5/56 4/24 4/29 4/76 3/11 4.00 111.11
15 DR Hadlee 4/30 3/17 3/27 3/27 3/31 3.20 88.89
BBA

In this criteria, we have taken the top 5 bowling performances by Average of a bowler. Best Bowling By Average (BBA) is simply the average of the bowler in the 5 Inns. Only 3+ Wkt performaces are counted in this criteria.

BEST BOWLING (AVE)


Criteria: Points For Average In Top 7 Inns

RANK BOWLER 1 2 3 4 5 BBA RAT
TS MD Marshall 4/19 4/24 6/37 4/25 5/33 6.00 150.00
1 MD Marshall 4/19 4/24 6/37 4/25 5/33 6.00 150.00
2 JN Gillespie 3/11 3/18 4/24 4/29 3/33 6.76 133.04
3 RJ Hadlee 4/8 5/29 6/49 4/35 4/39 6.96 129.38
4 JM Anderson 4/17 3/17 6/40 4/36 4/40 7.14 126.00
5 GD McGrath 4/18 3/18 3/19 3/27 4/41 7.24 124.39
6 DW Steyn 5/23 7/51 3/27 3/30 5/54 8.04 111.89
7 DR Hadlee 3/17 4/30 3/27 3/27 3/31 8.25 109.09
8 AK Davidson 5/31 3/22 4/42 3/36 4/48 9.42 95.53
9 MA Starc 4/33 6/50 5/44 3/29 5/63 9.52 94.52
10 WW Hall 4/28 6/50 3/31 3/35 4/49 9.65 93.26
11 CA Walsh 4/21 4/40 5/54 5/54 3/34 9.67 93.10
12 SM Pollock 4/24 5/37 4/48 6/78 3/40 10.32 87.22
13 AME Roberts 3/24 7/64 5/50 5/57 5/66 10.44 86.21
14 GD McKenzie 4/33 6/58 6/67 6/69 5/69 10.96 82.09
15 JK Lever 7/46 3/24 5/59 3/42 5/100 11.78 76.38
UC Rating

The NA IN A (UC) Rating is the addition of the points of all the above criteria. The rating is out of 1,000. Unfavourable Conditions (UC) is Outside Asia for Spinners and In Asia for Pacers. Favourable Conditions (FC) is the opposite.

RATING


RANK BOWLER PRO CON ATT BBW BBA UC RAT
1 DW Steyn 250.00 221.18 185.84 150.00 111.89 918.92
2 RJ Hadlee 220.28 226.40 187.58 144.44 129.38 908.08
3 MD Marshall 230.00 210.18 157.90 133.33 150.00 881.41
4 CA Walsh 209.24 239.47 172.88 144.44 93.10 859.14
5 WW Hall 174.93 218.68 200.00 133.33 93.26 820.20
6 GD McGrath 195.65 230.52 148.84 116.67 124.39 816.06
7 JM Anderson 222.83 202.13 128.52 127.78 126.00 807.25
8 AME Roberts 158.73 231.03 175.42 144.44 86.21 795.84
9 JN Gillespie 146.74 230.61 158.96 111.11 133.04 780.46
10 GD McKenzie 136.06 249.15 160.85 150.00 82.09 778.16
11 AK Davidson 142.54 244.41 149.05 133.33 95.53 764.86
12 MA Starc 200.00 183.38 150.59 133.33 94.52 761.82
13 SM Pollock 163.04 233.81 141.25 127.78 87.22 753.11
14 JK Lever 132.82 222.95 159.17 127.78 76.38 719.11
15 DR Hadlee 68.03 250.00 189.41 88.89 109.09 705.42

TOP TEAMS IN ASIA


DECADE OF MAT 1 2 3 4 5 6
1950s AUS WI PAK IND ENG
1960s WI AUS PAK IND ENG SA
1970s PAK ENG IND WI SA AUS
1980s PAK WI ENG NZ AUS
1990s IND PAK SA AUS WI
2000s AUS SL IND PAK SA ENG
2010s IND PAK SL ENG SA AUS
2020s IND AUS ENG PAK NZ

TOP TEAMS OUTSIDE ASIA


DECADE OF MAT 1 2 3 4 5 6
1950s AUS ENG WI SA PAK
1960s ENG AUS WI SA NZ
1970s SA ENG WI AUS IND
1980s WI NZ AUS ENG PAK
1990s AUS SA WI PAK ENG
2000s AUS SA ENG IND NZ
2010s SA AUS ENG NZ IND
2020s AUS NZ ENG SA IND


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