The 5 greatest England fast bowlers in Test history have made significant contributions, setting records and taking numerous wickets. Known for their impressive skill, consistency, and match-winning performances, these bowlers have played key roles in England’s success, solidifying their places among the best in cricket history.
5. Fred Trueman
Fred Trueman, who made his Test debut in 1952, was the first fast bowler in history to reach 300 Test wickets, achieving the feat at The Oval in 1964. He retired with 307 wickets, and despite many pacers surpassing his tally, his impressive bowling average of 21.57 still stands as the third-best for any bowler with over 300 Test wickets.
4. Bob Willis
Known for his “right-arm fast” deliveries, Bob Willis overcame knee surgeries at age 26 to become one of England’s most feared bowlers. He retired with 325 wickets in 90 Tests between 1971 and 1984, setting an English record at the time. Willis maintained an impressive average of 25. Sadly, he passed away in 2019 at the age of 70.
3. Ian Botham
Ian Botham is widely regarded as England’s greatest all-rounder, famed for his heroics in the 1981 Ashes series. He inspired a remarkable comeback, scoring 399 runs and taking 34 wickets to help England win the series 3-1. With 383 Test wickets at an average of 28, he remains the third-highest wicket-taker for England.
2. Stuart Broad
Stuart Broad, with 537 wickets in 152 Tests, is England’s second-leading wicket-taker. His best bowling performance came in the 2015 Ashes, where he claimed 8/15 in Nottingham, dominating Australia in one session. At 35, Broad still has plenty to offer, though both he and James Anderson were recently dropped for the West Indies tour.
1. James Anderson
James Anderson is widely regarded as England’s greatest bowler and one of the finest fast bowlers of all time. With 640 Test wickets, he holds the record for the most wickets by any fast bowler and is England’s most-capped player with 169 Test appearances. At 39, Anderson continues to perform at a high level, likely set to end his career in the upcoming English summer. He has also taken 31 five-wicket hauls in Tests, the second-most by any seamer, after Sir Richard Hadlee.