5 Best Pacers in Test Cricket in 2024
Test cricket demands a player’s technical prowess, stamina, patience, and mindset. Being the oldest cricket format, it has given exceptional talents a platform to showcase their skills globally. While batsmen may receive accolades for their magnificent shots, the pacers in test cricket weave the most intricate tales of triumph on the field. The unique format of test cricket allows fast bowlers to use their skills impacting batsmen’s confidence and the game’s tempo.
Fast bowling is not just about speed it’s about the art of precision, disguise, and unerring ability to deliver under pressure. This article will give the top 5 pacers in Test cricket, highlighting the incredible talents of Pat Cummins, Kagiso Rabada, Jasprit Bumrah, Josh Hazlewood, and Marco Jansen!
List of 5 best pacers in test cricket
The fast bowlers are crucial for the team’s arsenal with their speedy attacks and precision. They affect the course of the game during the top, middle, and death overs. Here is the list of the top 5 pacers ruling the Test cricket charts:
Pat Cummins (Australia)
Cummins is a premier fast bowler in Test cricket. He has exceptional skill in balancing speed, accuracy, and seam. This right-arm fast bowler consistently bowls at speeds of over 140kmph and above when needed. The 2024 Test stats show that he has taken 17 wickets with an economy rate of 3.13 including one 5-wicket haul. Apart from being an aggressive fast bowler, Cummins is a great team leader for Australia.
Pat Cummins 2020-2024 Test Cricket stats
| Matches | Inns | Overs | Runs | Wkts | Avg | Eco | SR | BBI | BBM | 5-wkt | 10-wkt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 60 | 1008.3 | 3015 | 130 | 23.19 | 2.98 | 46.5 | 6/91 | 10/97 | 7 | 1 |
Kagiso Rabada (South Africa)
This young South African right-arm fast bowler made his debut in 2015. Since then, he has given consistent performances with his aggressive bowling style and ability to reverse the swing during death. Rabada has established himself in the longer format of cricket with his bowling variations of yorker and bouncers. In 2024, he played one test match, claiming 4 wickets at an economy of 3.98 and an average of 17.75. Rabada has made his name in the test as one of the best fast bowlers who thrive in high-pressure situations.
Kagiso Rabada 2020-2024 Test Cricket stats
| Matches | Inns | Overs | Runs | Wkts | Avg | Eco | SR | BBI | BBM | 5-wkt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | 37 | 635.2 | 2130 | 101 | 21.08 | 3.35 | 37.7 | 6/50 | 8/89 | 5 |
Jasprit Bumrah (India)
Jasprit Bumrah’s right-arm fast bowling combined with unorthodox action has helped him become one of the elite pacers in test cricket. His unmatched ability to bowl consistent yorkers and bouncers has made him a threat for the batsmen. In the 5 test matches of 2024, he claimed 27 wickets with an economy rate of 3.23 including one 5 wicket haul. His contributions have led India to victories in challenging overseas conditions, establishing him as one of the leading fast bowlers of the team.
Jasprit Bumrah
| Matches | Inns | Overs | Runs | Wkts | Avg | Eco | SR | BBI | BBM | 5-wkt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | 45 | 745.1 | 2098 | 97 | 21.62 | 2.81 | 46.0 | 6/45 | 9/91 | 5 |
Josh Hazlewood (Australia)
This Australian pacer debuted in test cricket in 2015 and has become one of the most reliable seam bowlers in the Aussie team. Hazlewood utilises his tall height to achieve bounce intimidating the batsmen. In 2024, he has played 5 matches picking 29 wickets at an economy of 2.68 including two 5 wicket hauls. Josh is a key player of the Aussie team and his partnership with Cummins has often resulted in formidable spells.
Josh Hazlewood 2020-2024 Test Cricket stats
| Matches | Inns | Overs | Runs | Wkts | Avg | Eco | SR | BBI | BBM | 5-wkt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | 37 | 593 | 1669 | 78 | 21.39 | 2.81 | 45.6 | 5/8 | 9/79 | 5 |
Marco Jansen (South Africa)
Jansen is a 24-year-old South African fast bowler who debuted in 2021 in Test format. Standing 6’8″ tall, his bowling style gives him an advantage of bounce, combining pace and swing, he is one of the star pacers in test cricket. In 2024, he played a single match where he picked 1 wicket at an economy of 4.0 and an average of 44.4. Despite his less experience, Marco has made waves in the longer format of cricket, he is a rising star of his generation.
Marco Jansen 2020-2024 Test Cricket stats
| Matches | Inns | Overs | Runs | Wkts | Avg | Eco | SR | BBI | BBM | 5-wkt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 22 | 330.0 | 1117 | 49 | 22.79 | 3.38 | 40.4 | 5/35 | 7/91 | 1 |
Overview
The revered format of Test Cricket has been constantly evolving since its inception in 1877. It has given the world of cricket many exceptional talents and exciting fixtures. Pat Cummins, Kagiso Rabada, Jasprit Bumrah, Josh Hazlewood, and Marco Jansen are the leading pacers in test crickets who are torchbearers of greatness, inspiring many budding talents in cricket.
