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Who is the best fast-bowler in the Test format at the moment?

Who is the best fast-bowler in the Test format at the moment?

  • Total voters
    129
Bumrah outclassed the 3 Aussie quicks in Adelaide, quite comfortably in fact. Such a short career and already looks like a finished product, also the raw pace with such a short run up is something we don't see quite often. Will be exciting to see him in Perth, if the pace and carry is anything like how the rumors are floating, he will do some serious damage to the Aussies again.
 
The likes of Abbas and Bumrah shouldn't even be an option after a handful of Test matches. Rabada is by far the best in the world.
 
Kagiso Rabada is the best young/overall fast bowler on the planet...and I am genuinely talking about fast bowlers. He can get it at 85-90 mph or a bit more on a consistent enough basis to fulfil that criteria.

Starc, Hazlewood and Boult all rank just below and are interchangeable with each other. Boult is probably the best all round, Starc is a terrific old ball bowler and Hazlewood has very good control and variety.

Abbas may be one of the best, if not the best bowler going in the last few months but he is not a fast bowler.
 
Swashbuckler said:
Bumrah outclassed the 3 Aussie quicks in Adelaide, quite comfortably in fact. Such a short career and already looks like a finished product, also the raw pace with such a short run up is something we don't see quite often. Will be exciting to see him in Perth, if the pace and carry is anything like how the rumors are floating, he will do some serious damage to the Aussies again.
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Do you think he'd be faster with a longer run up?
 
Is a bowler like Abbas who bowls at 125 to 135 considered a fast bowler or is he a medium pacer?
 
ExpressPacer said:
Do you think he'd be faster with a longer run up?
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I would say yes, because of the additional possible momentum. But he has enough pace to trouble the best IMO, only issue is he can alleviate some strain on his back and shoulders with even a medium run up. There were occasions in the match where he would hobble 5-6 steps and deliver 143+ kph deliveries, it was ridiculous to watch. I would say the biomechanics of fast bowling is very similar to javelin throw, I follow the latter keenly (courtesy Neeraj Chopra) and am yet to see any thrower compromising on the run up. The techniques like grip, final approach, landing, finish etc are all different but no one has a short run up. I know Bumrah and the coaches will know much more about the art of fast bowling, but I am intrigued.
 
If Dale Steyn remains fit in series vs Pakistan He will prove who the real boss is.

All his wickets against Aus in Odi's were on 140+ kph deliveries. Steyn knocked one Aussie batsman in 45th over of innings where he clocked 146 kph.


Hasn't lost any pace despite loads of serious and career threatening injuries and long breaks and rehabs in last 2-3 years.


Hope the legend continues for 2-3 more years.


Steyn Gun is fired up again. Watch Out.
 
I believe the ICC Test bowlers ranking so Kagiso Rabada currently.
 
Swashbuckler said:
I would say yes, because of the additional possible momentum. But he has enough pace to trouble the best IMO, only issue is he can alleviate some strain on his back and shoulders with even a medium run up. There were occasions in the match where he would hobble 5-6 steps and deliver 143+ kph deliveries, it was ridiculous to watch. I would say the biomechanics of fast bowling is very similar to javelin throw, I follow the latter keenly (courtesy Neeraj Chopra) and am yet to see any thrower compromising on the run up. The techniques like grip, final approach, landing, finish etc are all different but no one has a short run up. I know Bumrah and the coaches will know much more about the art of fast bowling, but I am intrigued.
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Yes, I think so too. It's actually very interesting because his action is also one that is very strenuous and express pace is the last thing I would associate with it.

I remember when he burst onto the scene, even in the IPL, he was never regarded for his pace. I think he's turned things around in the pace department only recently.
 
Rightarmfast said:
Thats his run up and action. Thats what he is comfortable with so I think he is at his quickest with that run up.
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True. I think a Shoaib Akhtar like run-up isn't really necessary for express pace. You just need momentum which Bumrah is able to get from a couple of steps into the pitch.

But yeah, running all the way from the stands did make Akhtar more attractive. Aggressive too. Charging in like a ferocious bull ready to tear you apart make most batsmen fear for their lives. But then again, he was never known for his agility in the field.
 
In no order Sir Jimmy Anderson, Rabada and Abbas.

Rabada was the first name that came to my head when I saw the thread title though.
 
It's Rabada because sir Jimmy showcased his ability nicely when required to bowl with kookaburra.
 
Anderson is not good enough away from home. Rabada bowled well in Aus and Srilanka.
 
ExpressPacer said:
True. I think a Shoaib Akhtar like run-up isn't really necessary for express pace. You just need momentum which Bumrah is able to get from a couple of steps into the pitch.

But yeah, running all the way from the stands did make Akhtar more attractive. Aggressive too. Charging in like a ferocious bull ready to tear you apart make most batsmen fear for their lives. But then again, he was never known for his agility in the field.
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TBH, Shoaib at his fastest was around 7-8k's faster than Bumrah's. Still,Bumrah doesnt have the glamour of Shoaib, but I think slowly but surely he is gaining the respect of batsmen!
 
Bumrah's action makes it more unplayable. That ball to finch was straight ball angling in with his action and finch missed it more because of his action than seam or swing movement. But no doubt any batsman will struggle with that angle when he bowls jaffas.
 
Rightarmfast said:
TBH, Shoaib at his fastest was around 7-8k's faster than Bumrah's. Still,Bumrah doesnt have the glamour of Shoaib, but I think slowly but surely he is gaining the respect of batsmen!
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Shoaib's fastest delivery might be 7-8k faster than (which is a lot in its own right) Bumrah's but it was his average speed that was very high.

In Bumrah's defense however, I must admit that in this day and age, bowlers rely a lot on variations.
 
JattMaula said:
Cummins.
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Finally at his rightful position at test rankings. Knew it as soon as he returned from long absence breathing fire and casting lightning.

He is the only overseas pacer to bowl wicket taking balls in India in last few years and despite clearly being the best bowler in team Australia, is willing to bowl with old ball and long spells.

His reign has just begun. :dragon
 
JattMaula said:
Finally at his rightful position at test rankings. Knew it as soon as he returned from long absence breathing fire and casting lightning.

He is the only overseas pacer to bowl wicket taking balls in India in last few years and despite clearly being the best bowler in team Australia, is willing to bowl with old ball and long spells.

His reign has just begun. :dragon
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Really disappointed that PP has no dragon emoji. [MENTION=93712]MenInG[/MENTION]
 
bumrah still the best bowler
but joffra is a treat to watch. incredible player.

if you can't get them out, hurt them on the pitch with short balls. I love it.
 
barah_admi said:
Kagiso Rabada is the best young/overall fast bowler on the planet...and I am genuinely talking about fast bowlers. He can get it at 85-90 mph or a bit more on a consistent enough basis to fulfil that criteria.

Starc, Hazlewood and Boult all rank just below and are interchangeable with each other. Boult is probably the best all round, Starc is a terrific old ball bowler and Hazlewood has very good control and variety.

Abbas may be one of the best, if not the best bowler going in the last few months but he is not a fast bowler.
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bumrah, joffra and then cummins.
 
That 5 over spell to Smith was just absolutely incredible. Haven’t seen a consistent spell of hostile bowling like that probably since Mitchell Johnson.
 
tyron_woodley said:
bumrah, joffra and then cummins.
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Do you live in your own bubble or something? Or are incapable of sound thought? Rabada has the lowest strike in history, already more 10fers than McGrath had in his entire career.

He is undoubtedly numero uno. Cummins, the way he's going comes second.
 
Nikhil_cric said:
Not in test cricket. I have never seen him bowl an entire over at 150+ like archer did here.
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He did bowl against Australia consistently at 150ks against Warner. I don't remember the exact pace but Warner was jumping around just like Smith. Like Archer, he has the ability to turn it up whenever he wants but bowl within themselves. Such fluid, effortless actions.
 
Lol @ people saying Bumrah is better than Rabada. Rabada is already a great in test cricket, Bumrah isn't even in top 75 being generous. Rabada has a good chance becoming the second greatest bowler of this century after Steyn.
 
Chief Destroyer said:
He did bowl against Australia consistently at 150ks against Warner. I don't remember the exact pace but Warner was jumping around just like Smith. Like Archer, he has the ability to turn it up whenever he wants but bowl within themselves. Such fluid, effortless actions.
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Yeah true but do you think SA need to manage KG 's workload better considering the back stress fracture last year and the fact that he has looked a bit flat recently ?
 
Nikhil_cric said:
Yeah true but do you think SA need to manage KG 's workload better considering the back stress fracture last year and the fact that he has looked a bit flat recently ?
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Yeah, I think they've already started to do that. I don't think he's looked flat just maintaining himself for the long haul. SA had no batting lineup in the World Cup, he had no reason to burn himself out. He smack-talked India but backed it up with exceptional bowling. He turned up for that match.
 
Cummins or Rabada.

Australia should not overbowl Cummins considering his importance.
 
In a few years time we will see a bowler named Shaheen Shah Afridi leading the charts.

He is the real deal.
 
Mueez said:
In a few years time we will see a bowler named Shaheen Shah Afridi leading the charts.

He is the real deal.
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Let him take 150 wickets at < 50 SR first. Pakistan has not produced a world class fast bowler since Shoaib Akhtar.
 
Chief Destroyer said:
Do you live in your own bubble or something? Or are incapable of sound thought? Rabada has the lowest strike in history, already more 10fers than McGrath had in his entire career.

He is undoubtedly numero uno. Cummins, the way he's going comes second.
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I judge the bowlers impact on the pitch. bumrah is ahead of rabada in all formats. so is cummins and joffra. Rabada is not improving and has been quite stagnant for some time.
 
tyron_woodley said:
I judge the bowlers impact on the pitch. bumrah is ahead of rabada in all formats. so is cummins and joffra. Rabada is not improving and has been quite stagnant for some time.
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Ha ha ha, bumrah better than rabada!, are you serious, look at rabads record, it's outstanding, so is pat Cummins, the issue for rabada is ipl, he needs to take a break from the franchise cricket and concentrate on tests where no doubt hes a future great
 
Manunited18 said:
Ha ha ha, bumrah better than rabada!, are you serious, look at rabads record, it's outstanding, so is pat Cummins, the issue for rabada is ipl, he needs to take a break from the franchise cricket and concentrate on tests where no doubt hes a future great
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there is doubt? yea his record is superficially nice to have but it's hiding a lot of flaws. He hasn't been consistent away from home.

bumrah has just started. he is only 24. Are you disputing that bumrah doesn't have the potential to be better than him? Bumrah in all formats of the game has been outstanding. His era has just begun.
 
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tyron_woodley said:
there is doubt? yea his record is superficially nice to have but it's hiding a lot of flaws. He hasn't been consistent away from home.

bumrah has just started. he is only 24. Are you disputing that bumrah doesn't have the potential to be better than him? Bumrah in all formats of the game has been outstanding. His era has just begun.
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We are discussing test cricket, my opinion at his best rabada is a clear best followed by Cummins
 
Manunited18 said:
We are discussing test cricket, my opinion at his best rabada is a clear best followed by Cummins
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I am talking about test cricket. real cricket. Bumrah has an excellent list A average which has translated well into tests as well. We haven't even seen bumrah at his best and he is already close to their level.
Shaheen shah is the next one that's going to be a future Great. He will be up there very soon with the likes of bumrah cummins and archer etc. rabada is good but he is declining imo.
 
tyron_woodley said:
I am talking about test cricket. real cricket. Bumrah has an excellent list A average which has translated well into tests as well. We haven't even seen bumrah at his best and he is already close to their level.
Shaheen shah is the next one that's going to be a future Great. He will be up there very soon with the likes of bumrah cummins and archer etc. rabada is good but he is declining imo.
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Rabada declining!, hes entering his peak years now as a fast bowler, his stats in tests are inline as a definate great, same can't be said of the other quicks you mentioned bar pat Cummins
 
Can it be anyone other than rabada?

The rest, Jimmy, broad, starc, hazlewood, bumrah, Abbas et al will argue amongst themselves
 
:))) Archer has bowled in exactly ONE test match innings.

He now appears in the "best test bowlers in the world" thread.

Pakpassion at it's finest. :snack:
 
wrongun said:
:))) Archer has bowled in exactly ONE test match innings.

He now appears in the "best test bowlers in the world" thread.

Pakpassion at it's finest. :snack:
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true, cant call him the best now. but he has already proved to be the fastest and most dangerous fast bowler. not even starc rabada cummins have bowled bouncers nearly as lethal and fast and consistent as archer did to smith yesterday. he is one of the players who are guaranteed to be one of the top bowlers

cummins and rabada are statistically the best bowlers currently, if bumrah takes many wickets at home on spin friendly pitches, he should definitely be considered as the best
 
sindhiboy said:
true, cant call him the best now. but he has already proved to be the fastest and most dangerous fast bowler. not even starc rabada cummins have bowled bouncers nearly as lethal and fast and consistent as archer did to smith yesterday. he is one of the players who are guaranteed to be one of the top bowlers

cummins and rabada are statistically the best bowlers currently, if bumrah takes many wickets at home on spin friendly pitches, he should definitely be considered as the best
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only sensible post.
 
sindhiboy said:
true, cant call him the best now. but he has already proved to be the fastest and most dangerous fast bowler. not even starc rabada cummins have bowled bouncers nearly as lethal and fast and consistent as archer did to smith yesterday. he is one of the players who are guaranteed to be one of the top bowlers

cummins and rabada are statistically the best bowlers currently, if bumrah takes many wickets at home on spin friendly pitches, he should definitely be considered as the best
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Tell you what, if archer maintains this for 2 years and performs then you have a valid point, Cummins performs on the flat roads of Australia don't forget
 
Manunited18 said:
Tell you what, if archer maintains this for 2 years and performs then you have a valid point, Cummins performs on the flat roads of Australia don't forget
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flat BOUNCY roads. That's how their pitches are tailored in general. If they made green tops or extremely bouncy then Aussies would actually be at a disadvantage. Good teams can utilize conditions and beat them as it would depend on toss. That's why s.africa beat them in 2017 albeit against a weak bowling attack version of Australia.

Cummins does perform here but he has been average in subcontinent. Not a complete player yet.

rabada is trash in sub continent. averages 55 in india.

it's between cummins/jasprit and boult. You can also inculde ishang rofl. he averages 19 over the past 2-3 years. can you believe that? ishant haha. to be fair I have to give credit to ishant. He is transformed and is a completely different player. Has been the case for the past 4 years. He is a good bowler.

last but not least archer (said no one ever).
 
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I think Bumrah is the best Test fast bowler currently. Archer is good but he is still quite new.
 
Rayyman said:
It's easily been Boult for the past few years.

Let'em sleep...
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Last two years

Boult 64 wickets @ 23 econ 3
Cummins 95 wickets @ 20 econ 2.7
Rabada 89 @ 19 econ 3.2

Interested in finding out why Boult is easily the best?. (I'm not saying he isnt)
 
Gilly said:
Boult has not played Australia, India or South Africa in the last two years.
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I don't rate that one dimensional fodder who only bowls well in overcast conditions.
cummins and hazelwood are far more complete bowlers. rabada, bumrah and even Anderson is probably better.
he did play in 2016.
 
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Cummins is so underrated. Played 4 back to back test matches, career bowling average of 21 and 4 wickets so far on a very dry 5th day wicket. Special bowler.
 
Pakprideuk said:
Cummins is so underrated. Played 4 back to back test matches, career bowling average of 21 and 4 wickets so far on a very dry 5th day wicket. Special bowler.
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CUmmins is no way under-rated. Infact i becamse a huge fan of Cummins during India's tour to Australia. He was a warrior in that series. I predicted he would become world no.1. He is now world no.1. He is an MVP. He just needs a bit of variation. Otherwise he is a fantastic bowler.
 
Rabada and Cummins are just about head to head but I think Rabada will end as the better overall bowlers.

Just below that is the rest and ARcher may join that crop soon enough.
 
Cummins and Rabada in tests. Bumrah a third.

Starc and Bumrah in ODIs.

Bumrah it is all formats combined.
 
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