The World Test Championship (WTC) began in August 2019 and the two-year long journey is now at its final stage. The Finals played between India and New Zealand starts on 18th June at Southampton and is a culmination of plenty of hard work and consistency for both these sides. Over the course of the inaugural WTC, we have witnessed some incredible bowling performances from a few of the modern greats of the game. From the Kiwis to the Aussies, here are the top five wicket-takers of the inaugural World Test Championship.
# | PLAYERS | MATCHES | WICKETS | BEST |
1 | Pat Cummins (AUS) | 14 | 70 | 5/28 |
2 | Stuart Broad (ENG) | 17 | 69 | 6/31 |
3 | Ravichandran Ashwin (IND) | 13 | 67 | 7/145 |
4 | Nathan Lyon (AUS) | 14 | 56 | 6/49 |
5 | Tim Southee (NZL) | 10 | 51 | 5/32 |
5. TIM SOUTHEE
View this post on Instagram
At no. 5, we have Tim Southee whose contribution has been very influential in New Zealand’s success in the WTC. The Kiwi pacer has picked up a total of 51 wickets in the 10 matches he has played and Southee has had a total of three 5-wicket hauls with a strike rate of 45.9 with his best bowling figure of 5/32 coming against West Indies in this period. He also had Virat Kohli’s number on India’s tour of New Zealand and that battle will resume in the Final.
4. NATHAN LYON
View this post on Instagram
Next up on the list is Nathon Lyon with a total of 56 wickets in 14 matches for Australia at the World Test Championship. Gazza has bowled over 638 overs conceding 1757 runs at a strike rate of 67.5 with best bowling figures in an innings of 6/49 against England in the 1st Ashes Test. Australia’s greatest offie has picked up four 5-wicket hauls in the Championship and has yet again proved his mettle in the Test arena.
3. RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN
View this post on Instagram
Ravichandran Ashwin is the 3rd highest wicket-taker in the championship and the highest wicket taker for India in the WTC. The Indian off-spinner has bowled over 524 overs conceding just 1399 runs. In these 524 overs, Ashwin has a total of 67 wickets, just three behind the leading wicket-taker with best figures of 7/145 against South Africa and also four 5-wicket hauls. With the finals yet to be played, Ashwin could bridge the gap at the top and lead the race for most wickets taken in the championship. With a strike rate of 46.8, Ashwin has been brutal at home and given the number of left-handers in the Kiwi line-up, Ashwin will be licking his lips ahead of the WTC Final.
2. STUART BROAD
View this post on Instagram
Stuart Broad of England takes second spot for most wickets in the ICC World Test Championship. The English pacer has a total of 69 wickets in just 17 matches he has played this tournament and is two ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin. Broad has bowled a total of 499 overs with two 5-wicket hauls and a best of 6/31 (vs West Indies). Together with Jimmy Anderson, Broad has continued to lead the attack for the Three Lions across the globe.
1. PAT CUMMINS
View this post on Instagram
As things stand, Australia’s Pat Cummins is the highest wicket-taker in the ICC World Test Championship. The right-arm fast bowler has scalped 70 wickets in his 14 matches bowling 555 overs in the tournament and has a strike rate of 47.6. The Australian’s best bowling figures of 5/28 helped dismantle New Zealand on the third day at the MCG in December 2019 and despite being at the top, this was his only five-wicket haul through the campaign; a true testament to his consistency.
[Image Credit: ICC – International Cricket Council]
Shashank Iyer