Top 15 Non-Asian Spin 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 Spin 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 Spin 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 DL Underwood ENG 1966 1982 1974 38 73 210.00
1 DL Underwood ENG 1966 1982 1974 38 73 210.00
2 R Benaud AUS 1952 1964 1958 23 71 204.25
3 LR Gibbs WI 1958 1976 1967 28 54 155.34
4 SL Boock NZ 1978 1989 1983.5 12 28 80.55
4 HJ Howarth NZ 1969 1977 1973 11 28 80.55
4 AA Mallett AUS 1968 1980 1974 10 28 80.55
7 RJ Bright AUS 1977 1986 1981.5 10 26 74.79
RANK ERA 2 NAT FP LP MP INNS WKTS RAT
TS SK Warne AUS 1992 2007 1999.5 46 127 250.00
1 SK Warne AUS 1992 2007 1999.5 46 127 250.00
2 DL Vettori NZ 1997 2014 2005.5 34 98 192.91
3 GP Swann ENG 2008 2013 2010.5 24 73 143.70
4 PR Adams SA 1995 2004 1999.5 20 42 82.68
5 SCG MacGill AUS 1998 2008 2003 13 36 70.87
RANK ERA 3 NAT FP LP MP INNS WKTS RAT
TS NM Lyon AUS 2011 2023 2017 46 118 240.00
1 NM Lyon AUS 2011 2023 2017 46 118 240.00
2 MJ Leach ENG 2018 2022 2020 23 61 124.07
3 AY Patel NZ 2023 2022 2022.5 17 44 89.49
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 HJ Howarth 11 541 28 19.32 34.54 19.58 250.00
1 HJ Howarth 11 541 28 19.32 34.54 19.58 250.00
2 AA Mallett 10 535 28 19.11 33.35 20.05 244.09
3 SL Boock 12 688 28 24.57 40.05 21.47 227.97
4 R Benaud 23 1372 71 19.32 30.37 22.27 219.82
5 GP Swann 24 1896 73 25.97 39.81 22.83 214.40
6 DL Underwood 38 1946 73 26.66 38.91 23.98 204.17
7 SK Warne 46 3406 127 26.82 39.10 24.00 203.92
8 LR Gibbs 28 1302 54 24.11 33.93 24.87 196.80
9 SCG MacGill 13 945 36 26.25 36.66 25.06 195.32
10 RJ Bright 10 862 26 33.15 44.69 25.96 188.53
11 DL Vettori 34 2829 98 28.87 38.43 26.29 186.18
12 PR Adams 20 1210 42 28.81 37.79 26.69 183.44
13 AY Patel 17 1323 44 30.07 38.17 27.57 177.55
14 NM Lyon 46 3822 118 32.39 39.23 28.90 169.40
15 MJ Leach 23 1926 61 31.57 36.74 30.08 162.73
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 SCG MacGill 13 1643 36 45.64 75.41 48.42 200.00
1 SCG MacGill 13 1643 36 45.64 75.41 48.42 200.00
2 HJ Howarth 11 1625 28 58.04 93.03 49.90 194.04
3 PR Adams 20 2032 42 48.38 77.18 50.15 193.09
4 SK Warne 46 6687 127 52.65 79.60 52.92 182.99
5 SL Boock 12 1765 28 63.04 93.00 54.22 178.60
6 AA Mallett 10 1792 28 64.00 90.99 56.27 172.10
7 RJ Bright 10 1889 26 72.65 102.04 56.96 170.00
8 GP Swann 24 4002 73 54.82 73.63 59.56 162.58
9 R Benaud 23 4399 71 61.96 81.91 60.52 160.02
10 AY Patel 17 2555 44 58.07 71.58 64.90 149.21
11 DL Underwood 38 5762 73 78.93 94.23 67.01 144.50
12 MJ Leach 23 3552 61 58.23 68.90 67.62 143.22
13 NM Lyon 46 7518 118 63.71 72.84 69.97 138.39
14 LR Gibbs 28 4246 54 78.63 87.49 71.90 134.69
15 DL Vettori 34 6737 98 68.74 76.39 71.99 134.51
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 NM Lyon 8/50 7/94 7/94 6/60 6/82 6.80 150.00
1 NM Lyon 8/50 7/94 7/94 6/60 6/82 6.80 150.00
2 DL Vettori 6/28 6/64 6/70 6/100 6/127 6.00 132.35
3 SK Warne 7/94 6/125 6/136 5/43 5/52 5.80 127.94
4 R Benaud 7/72 6/52 5/43 5/53 5/76 5.60 123.53
5 GP Swann 6/82 6/106 5/90 5/127 5/144 5.40 119.12
5 AY Patel 10/119 5/59 5/89 4/106 3/42 5.40 119.12
7 LR Gibbs 7/98 6/76 5/51 4/67 4/96 5.20 114.71
7 PR Adams 7/128 6/55 5/37 5/69 3/30 5.20 114.71
9 SCG MacGill 8/108 5/66 4/47 4/74 4/95 5.00 110.29
10 RJ Bright 7/87 5/94 5/172 3/24 3/96 4.60 101.47
10 DL Underwood 5/28 5/84 5/94 4/28 4/56 4.60 101.47
12 AA Mallett 6/64 5/53 5/91 3/55 3/58 4.40 97.06
12 MJ Leach 5/83 5/122 4/54 4/59 4/72 4.40 97.06
14 SL Boock 7/87 5/28 4/83 3/32 2/53 4.20 92.65
14 HJ Howarth 5/34 5/80 4/66 4/85 3/35 4.20 92.65
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 SK Warne 4/11 4/13 3/11 5/43 3/28 5.58 150.00
1 SK Warne 4/11 4/13 3/11 5/43 3/28 5.58 150.00
2 NM Lyon 3/12 8/50 5/34 4/31 6/60 7.19 116.35
3 R Benaud 3/0 5/43 6/52 7/72 4/42 8.36 100.10
4 DL Vettori 6/28 6/64 6/70 5/59 5/66 10.25 81.64
5 DL Underwood 5/28 4/28 4/56 3/45 3/50 10.89 76.81
6 LR Gibbs 3/14 5/51 6/76 7/98 4/67 12.24 68.37
7 PR Adams 5/37 6/55 3/30 5/69 7/128 12.27 68.21
8 HJ Howarth 5/34 3/35 5/80 4/66 4/85 14.29 58.58
9 AA Mallett 5/53 6/64 5/91 3/55 3/58 14.59 57.35
10 SCG MacGill 4/47 5/66 8/108 4/74 3/64 14.96 55.94
11 SL Boock 5/28 3/32 7/87 4/83 15.13 55.30
12 GP Swann 4/43 6/82 3/52 4/70 6/106 15.35 54.53
13 AY Patel 5/59 10/119 3/42 5/89 4/106 15.37 54.45
14 MJ Leach 4/54 4/59 5/83 4/72 4/76 16.38 51.09
15 RJ Bright 3/24 7/87 5/94 3/96 5/172 20.57 40.69
FC Rating

The NA IN A (FC) 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 FC RAT
1 SK Warne 250.00 203.92 182.99 127.94 150.00 914.85
2 NM Lyon 240.00 169.40 138.39 150.00 116.35 814.15
3 R Benaud 204.25 219.82 160.02 123.53 100.10 807.71
4 DL Underwood 210.00 204.17 144.50 101.47 76.81 736.95
5 DL Vettori 192.91 186.18 134.51 132.35 81.64 727.60
6 GP Swann 143.70 214.40 162.58 119.12 54.53 694.33
7 HJ Howarth 80.55 250.00 194.04 92.65 58.58 675.82
8 LR Gibbs 155.34 196.80 134.69 114.71 68.37 669.91
9 AA Mallett 80.55 244.09 172.10 97.06 57.35 651.15
10 PR Adams 82.68 183.44 193.09 114.71 68.21 642.12
11 SL Boock 80.55 227.97 178.60 92.65 55.30 635.07
12 SCG MacGill 70.87 195.32 200.00 110.29 55.94 632.42
13 AY Patel 89.49 177.55 149.21 119.12 54.45 589.82
14 MJ Leach 124.07 162.73 143.22 97.06 51.09 578.16
15 RJ Bright 74.79 188.53 170.00 101.47 40.69 575.49

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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