Who is the greatest fast bowler of this era? The data reveal
Is Kagiso Rabada the best fast bowler of his era? Eight quicks with 230+ Test wickets since November 2015, ranked across 39 factors. Rabada is the most lethal, Bumrah the most efficient, and the overall gap comes down to 0.06.
Key points
- Rabada takes a wicket every 39 balls, the best of the eight; the average quick of the era needs 53.
- Rabada has the most wickets per Test, the most in Tests his side win and the most player-of-the-match awards.
- Bumrah averages under 21 against the seven strongest Test sides and about 20.5 away from home; Rabada averages 24 and nearly 25.
- Across 39 factors Bumrah leads 15 and Rabada 14.
- Bowlers compared: Rabada, Bumrah, Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood, Anderson, Broad and Southee. Data: ESPNcricinfo Statsguru, Tests from 5 November 2015 to 22 October 2026, pace only.
Read the transcript
Is Kagiso Rabada the best fast bowler of his era? 39 factors. Let's settle it. Eight quicks, everyone with 230-plus Test wickets since Rabada's debut in 2015.
Start with a killer stat. Rabada takes a wicket every 39 balls, the best of the lot. The average quick of this era needs 53. He's the best match-winner too: most wickets per Test, most in the Tests his side win, best in fourth innings, and the most player-of-the-match awards.
And they're not cheap. He removes more openers and more batters averaging 40-plus per Test than anyone. But nearly 30% of his wickets are tailenders. Now, the case against.
Against the seven strongest Test sides, Rabada averages 24, fourth of eight. Bumrah, under 21. Away from home, Bumrah averages 20 and a half, Rabada nearly 25. Bumrah concedes less wherever he plays.
Across all 39 factors, Bumrah leads 15, Rabada 14. Rabada still finishes top two in 24. Decided by awards alone: most lethal, Rabada; most efficient, Bumrah. Who's your pick?
Comment below.
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