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In a recent exclusive interview with CricTracker, New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson shared his personal list of the top five Test bowlers of all time. The New Zealand international, known for his searing pace, notably chose a list comprised entirely of seamers, with no spinners or Indian bowlers making the cut. His selection featured two legends from Pakistan, along with a Kiwi great, an Australian left-arm pacer, and a West Indian legend.
New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson picks his top 5 Test bowlers of all time
- Shane Bond (New Zealand): At the top of his list is fellow New Zealander Shane Bond, a fast bowler whose career, though brief due to injuries, was nothing short of brilliant. Bond’s numbers are a testament to his sheer quality and impact. He finished his Test career with 87 wickets in just 18 matches at an incredible average of 22.09 and an even more remarkable strike rate of 38.76, placing him second on the all-time list of bowlers with a minimum of 2,500 deliveries. His career was a case of quality over quantity, as he was a nightmare for batsmen when he was fit and firing.
- Mitchell Johnson (Australia): Mitchell Johnson, a left-arm pacer from Australia, was next on the list. Johnson was arguably the most dominant fast bowler of the 2010s, with a fearsome reputation that terrorized batters. He retired with 313 Test wickets at a solid average of 28.40, which included 12 five-wicket hauls and a best of 8/61.His performance in the 2013-14 Ashes series, where he took 37 wickets in five matches, is considered one of the most destructive bowling displays in modern Test history, defining his legacy as a game-changing pacer.
- Shoaib Akhtar (Pakistan): Nicknamed the ‘Rawalpindi Express’ for his fiery pace, Shoaib Akhtar earned a spot on Ferguson’s list. Known for his ability to bowl at an express pace, Akhtar holds the record for the fastest recorded delivery in cricket history at 161.3 km/h. His career saw him take 178 wickets in 46 Tests at an average of 25.69. Akhtar’s raw speed and intimidating style, combined with his skill for reverse swing, made him a major threat to any opposition batting lineup.
- Wasim Akram (Pakistan): The second Pakistan bowler on the list, Wasim Akram is widely regarded as one of the greatest left-arm pacers in cricket history. Akram’s ability to swing the ball both ways at high speed and master the art of reverse swing made him a nightmare for batters. He finished his illustrious Test career with 414 wickets in 104 matches at a brilliant average of 23.62, including 25 five-wicket hauls. He was the first to achieve the 500-wicket mark in ODIs and is revered as ‘the Sultan of Swing.’
- Curtly Ambrose (West Indies): The legendary West Indian fast bowler, Curtly Ambrose, completed Ferguson’s list. Known for his towering height and ability to generate steep bounce and subtle movement, Ambrose was a part of the dominant West Indies pace attack of the 1990s. took a staggering 405 Test wickets in 98 matches at an incredible average of 20.99, with 22 five-wicket hauls. His spell of 7 wickets for 1 run against Australia in 1993 is considered one of the most unplayable bowling performances of all time, perfectly showcasing his metronomic line and length.
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No Indian bowlers in the Ferguson’s list
A key observation from Lockie Ferguson’s selection is the complete absence of any Indian bowlers. While Indian cricket has produced a number of all-time greats in Test cricket, from the likes of spinners Anil Kumble (619 Test wickets) and Harbhajan Singh (417 Test wickets) to the legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev (434 Test wickets), none were included in Ferguson’s personal top five. This highlights the subjective nature of such lists, as Ferguson, a fast bowler himself, clearly prioritized raw pace, aggression, and intimidation. His choices, all seamers known for their ability to generate extreme speed and discomfort for batters, reflect his own cricketing identity and an appreciation for the fast-bowling art form.
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