Top 10 Best Left Arm Bowler Till 2025

 
MM

Top 10 Greatest Left-Arm Bowlers in Cricket History
Whereas left-arm bowlers give the team any amount of advantage, combination of angle and natural swing is their chief weapon. The ability to move the ball both ways makes them a torment for right-handed batters, especially those who fall for an indipper. As rare species compared to their right-handed counterparts, left-arm fast bowlers who have developed this art have left an indelible mark on the game. Here comes a list of the greatest left-arm bowlers ever produced in international cricket.

1. Wasim Akram


Considered the greatest of all left-arm fast bowlers who ever lived, he is considered a legend of the game. The former Pakistani fast bowler was a master of swing, seam movement, and reverse swing, thus earning his recognition as one of the most deadly bowlers in the history of cricket. He could bowl deadly yorkers and crafty slower balls, and at pace, he gave a nightmare to the batsmen. Akram holds the record for the most List A wickets ever (881) and was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009.

2. Alan Davidson


Alan Davidson, one of Australia’s greatest cricketers from the 1950s and 60s, was a dominant left-arm pacer known for his late swing and deceptive bouncers. His ability to extract movement with the new ball made him an exceptional bowler. He remains one of the select few with over 100 Test wickets at an average below 21. Davidson took 856 wickets in his career and was honored by the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2011.

3. Derek Underwood


Derek Underwood, an English cricketing great, was a highly effective left-arm spinner known for his accuracy and unpredictable variations. He bowled at a medium pace and was nearly unplayable on English pitches, particularly in damp conditions. His legendary arm-ball often trapped batsmen LBW. In 1971, Underwood became the only player to claim 1,000 first-class wickets, earning him a place in the ICC Hall of Fame in 2009.

4. Chaminda Vaas


Chaminda Vaas is widely recognized as one of Sri Lanka’s greatest fast bowlers. Rather than relying on sheer pace, Vaas was known for his remarkable control, precision, and ability to swing the ball both ways. He remains Sri Lanka’s most prolific fast bowler, taking over 400 wickets in international cricket. His extraordinary 8-19 spell in ODIs remains a world record.

5. Hedley Verity


Hedley Verity was one of England’s most skilled slow left-arm bowlers during the 1930s and early 1940s. His ability to bowl sharp-spinning deliveries, along with his surprise yorker, made him a dangerous opponent. Verity holds the record for taking 14 wickets in a single day of a Test match against Australia at Lord’s in 1934. He also boasts the record for the most wickets in a single Test match.

6. Mitchell Johnson


Mitchell Johnson, an Australian pace sensation, dominated international cricket with his extreme speed and aggressive bowling. His express pace and intimidating presence terrorized batsmen worldwide. Johnson was the fastest to reach 150 Test wickets and ended his career with 313 wickets in Test matches. His fiery performances in the 2015 World Cup semi-final and final were crucial in securing Australia’s fifth World Cup title.

7. Rangana Herath


Rangana Herath, one of Sri Lanka’s most successful left-arm spinners, was known for his precision and ability to outthink batsmen. His quicker delivery that swung back into right-handers often caught them off guard. With 433 Test wickets, Herath surpassed Daniel Vettori’s record for the most wickets by a left-arm spinner. He remains the only left-arm spinner to claim 400 Test wickets.

8. Zaheer Khan


Zaheer Khan played a pivotal role in India’s fast-bowling evolution. Known for his ability to swing the ball both conventionally and in reverse, Zaheer was India’s second-highest wicket-taking fast bowler in Test cricket, only behind Kapil Dev. He finished with 311 Test wickets at an average of 32.94. His outstanding performance in the 2011 World Cup helped India lift the trophy, making him the tournament’s highest wicket-taker.

9. Garfield Sobers


Sir Garfield Sobers, one of cricket’s greatest all-rounders, was a versatile left-arm bowler capable of excelling in both fast and slow bowling. He amassed 235 wickets at an average of 34.03 while scoring 8,032 runs in just 93 Test matches. In first-class cricket, Sobers took over 1,000 wickets and scored 28,000 runs. He was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009.

10. Mitchell Starc


Mitchell Starc is among the most fearsome left-arm fast bowlers in modern cricket. Known for his ability to bowl at extreme speeds, he delivered one of the fastest balls in Test history at 160.4 km/h against Ross Taylor in 2015. Starc also became the second-fastest bowler, after Shoaib Akhtar, to cross the 160 km/h mark. He set a record for reaching 100 ODI wickets in the shortest time, achieving the milestone against Sri Lanka in 2016.