Stats: Most Test wickets in Asia by bowlers from outside the subcontinent
Fast bowling is, without a shadow of a doubt, the most physically demanding task in cricket. The bowler, when in his delivery stride, goes through much more strain than a human body should be enduring, which is why pacers are always prone to serious injuries. The one saving grace for fast bowlers from outside Asia is that, at least, they are generally playing on conducive surfaces.
‘Speed’ is a thankless task in the sub-continent in particular, where there is virtually no help for the fast bowlers. While those from the subcontinent get used to the docile surfaces on offer and are, thus, able to adjust easier, quicks from outside Asia, who are used to getting some help, find it difficult to adjust.
With that being the case, massive credit goes to the seamers, not used to playing in the sub-continent, who find a way of being successful on unresponsive pitches.
Here are the top 10 wicket-takers in Test cricket in Asia from outside the sub-continent:
Player | Country | Matches | Wickets | Average |
Dale Steyn | South Africa | 16 | 80 | 22.17 |
Courtney Walsh | West Indies | 17 | 77 | 20.53 |
Glenn McGrath | Australia | 19 | 72 | 23.02 |
Malcolm Marshall | West Indies | 19 | 71 | 23.05 |
Sir Richard Hadlee | New Zealand | 13 | 68 | 21.58 |
Shaun Pollock | South Africa | 17 | 60 | 23.18 |
Jason Gillespie | Australia | 14 | 54 | 23.75 |
Wes Hall | West Indies | 11 | 54 | 20.05 |
Matthew Hoggard | England | 14 | 50 | 28.22 |
Andy Roberts | West Indies | 9 | 49 | 21.53 |
Note: Stats updated till July 20, 2014