Tests - Spin Bowlers With Best Averages Featured

Top 25 Spin Bowlers With Best Averages In Tests

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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.

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

CONTENTS
1. TOP 25 Spinners WITH BEST AVERAGES IN TEST CRICKET
2. TOP 25 Spinners WITH BEST R AVE IN TEST CRICKET
Best Averages

The first list simply gives you the bowlers with best averages in Test Cricket since 1950. The second list gives you the bowlers with best Relative Averages (R Ave). How it is calculated is explained in the highlighted sections. Only bowlers with more than 100 wickets are considered for both lists.

TOP 25 Spinners WITH BEST AVERAGES IN TEST CRICKET

RANK BOWLER NAT FP LP INNS RUNS WKTS AVE
1 M Muralitharan SL 1992 2010 230 18180 800 22.73
2 R Ashwin IND 2011 2022 166 10912 449 24.30
3 RA Jadeja IND 2012 2022 114 5980 242 24.71
4 SK Warne AUS 1992 2007 273 17995 708 25.42
5 GAR Lock ENG 1952 1968 88 4451 174 25.58
6 DL Underwood ENG 1966 1982 151 7674 297 25.84
7 R Benaud AUS 1952 1964 116 6704 248 27.03
8 HMRKB Herath SL 1999 2018 170 12157 433 28.08
9 Saeed Ajmal PAK 2009 2014 67 5003 178 28.11
10 Iqbal Qasim PAK 1976 1988 86 4807 171 28.11
11 BS Bedi IND 1966 1979 118 7637 266 28.71
12 S Ramadhin WI 1950 1960 76 4579 158 28.98
13 SCG MacGill AUS 1998 2008 85 6038 208 29.03
14 LR Gibbs WI 1958 1976 148 8989 309 29.09
15 SP Gupte IND 1951 1961 61 4403 149 29.55
16 A Kumble IND 1990 2008 236 18355 619 29.65
17 BS Chandrasekhar IND 1964 1979 97 7199 242 29.75
18 Saqlain Mushtaq PAK 1995 2004 86 6206 208 29.84
19 AA Mallett AUS 1968 1980 71 3940 132 29.85
20 GP Swann ENG 2008 2013 109 7642 255 29.97
21 PP Ojha IND 2009 2013 48 3420 113 30.27
22 AL Valentine WI 1950 1962 63 4215 139 30.32
23 EAS Prasanna IND 1962 1978 86 5742 189 30.38
24 DR Doshi IND 1979 1983 55 3502 114 30.72
25 DA Allen ENG 1960 1966 65 3779 122 30.98
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 25 Spinners WITH BEST R AVE IN TEST CRICKET

RANK BOWLER NAT FP LP INNS RUNS WKTS AVE R AVE
1 M Muralitharan SL 1992 2010 230 18180 800 22.73 23.12
2 SK Warne AUS 1992 2007 273 17995 708 25.42 23.56
3 R Ashwin IND 2011 2022 166 10912 449 24.30 24.84
4 DL Underwood ENG 1966 1982 151 7674 297 25.84 24.85
5 RA Jadeja IND 2012 2022 114 5980 242 24.71 25.41
6 GP Swann ENG 2008 2013 109 7642 255 29.97 25.48
7 GAR Lock ENG 1952 1968 88 4451 174 25.58 26.65
8 HMRKB Herath SL 1999 2018 170 12157 433 28.08 27.26
9 Saeed Ajmal PAK 2009 2014 67 5003 178 28.11 27.41
10 SCG MacGill AUS 1998 2008 85 6038 208 29.03 27.49
11 KA Maharaj SA 2016 2023 81 4974 155 32.09 27.53
12 Iqbal Qasim PAK 1976 1988 86 4807 171 28.11 27.58
13 NM Lyon AUS 2011 2023 217 14563 460 31.66 27.77
14 B Yardley AUS 1978 1983 58 3986 126 31.63 27.81
15 R Benaud AUS 1952 1964 116 6704 248 27.03 28.43
16 AA Mallett AUS 1968 1980 71 3940 132 29.85 28.61
17 LR Gibbs WI 1958 1976 148 8989 309 29.09 28.84
18 A Kumble IND 1990 2008 236 18355 619 29.65 29.28
19 DR Doshi IND 1979 1983 55 3502 114 30.72 29.55
20 BS Bedi IND 1966 1979 118 7637 266 28.71 29.65
21 JG Bracewell NZ 1980 1990 67 3653 102 35.81 29.73
22 Saqlain Mushtaq PAK 1995 2004 86 6206 208 29.84 29.90
23 PR Adams SA 1995 2004 76 4405 134 32.87 29.94
24 PH Edmonds ENG 1975 1987 84 4273 125 34.18 30.16
25 DA Allen ENG 1960 1966 65 3779 122 30.98 30.22

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