5 best first change bowlers in Test cricket

#1 Anil Kumble

Anil Kumble picked up 287 wickets at an average of 27.15

The most successful first change bowler in the history of Test cricket is former India great Anil Kumble, whose quick leg-spin made him one of the most lethal bowlers on turning tracks for much of his career. One of the most important attributes of Kumble as a bowler was his relentless accuracy, pace through the air, bounce and a deadly flipper that could wreak havoc with the newish ball.

Naturally, he thrived when he came on to bowl for India on turners designed for his type of bowling and emerged as the most successful first change bowler in the history of Test cricket. He has bowled as first change the highest number of times among the bowlers in this list, having been the third bowler to be introduced into the attack as many as 101 times across 72 Test matches. Kumble picked up 287 wickets at an average of 27.15 and returned a strike rate of 61.4.