5 highest wicket takers in Test Cricket in 2017

Over the past few years, the gentleman's game has tilted heavily towards the batsmen with the introduction of smaller grounds, heavier bats, and flatter pitches. However, at the end of the day, it's the bowlers that really win matches for their teams. However high be the score put up by the team, if the bowlers are not able to pick up the wickets, matches cannot be won. This is especially true for test cricket in which taking 20 wickets is mandatory for the team to win.

Let us take a look at the top wicket taking bowlers of 2017 in test cricket who have been showing it isn't a batsman's sport.

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#5: Rangana Herath

Pakistan v Sri Lanka - 1st Test

Coming in at number 5 is Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath, who at the age of 39 years old, is proving once again that age is just another number.

Herath played 11 matches in 2017 with a total of 52 wickets in that time. Retirement from limited-overs international cricket seems to have done the spinner a world of good and even though Sri Lanka was defeated in the test series against India, he was a bright light in an otherwise dim series for the Sri Lankans.

#4: Ravindra Jadeja (Joint 3rd)

England v India: 3rd Investec Test - Day One

Ravindra Jadeja had another fruitful year with the ball, taking an impressive 54 wickets from 10 matches. He had the most maidens in test cricket this year with 130 overs being bowled by him without the batsmen scoring a single run.

His best this year was 6/63 and he had 3 five-wicket hauls in 2017. The 29-year-old will look back fondly on an impressive 2017 and will look to top the rankings next year.

#3: Kagiso Rabada ( Joint 3rd )

South Africa v Bangladesh - Day 2

South African starlet shares third spot having also taken an impressive 54 wickets but at a better average of 20.96 compared to Jadeja's 23.05. He took 3 five wicket hauls and 2 ten wicket hauls this year, an impressive achievement by any means.

The youngster will be looking to improve upon an impressive year and spearhead the Proteas attack for years to come.

#2: Ravichandran Ashwin

Australia v India: 3rd Test - Day 1

The spearhead of the Indian spin attack had a fabulous 2017, taking 56 wickets at a strike rate of 59.3. The 31-year-old right arm off break bowler played 11 matches this year and bowled an incredible 119 maiden overs.

The 4th ranked bowler and all-rounder in test cricket right now, Ashwin will look to improve his all-around game and climb up the leaderboard next year. Having no 10 wicket haul for a match this year would be the only blip on an otherwise outstanding 2017 and Indian fans will be hoping he continues his good form in the matches to come.

#1: Nathan Lyon

Bangladesh v Australia - 2nd Test: Day 4

Nathan Lyon is the top wicket-taker of 2017 in Test, hauling an astounding 60 scalps with the Ashes series still going on.

He played 10 matches in 2017, with an innings best figures of 8/50. With Australia looking to win via a whitewash over England, Nathan Lyon will again be at the forefront in the 4th test of the ashes. Though currently ranked 9th in the test bowlers ranking, his tally in 2017 will have done neither his reputation nor his chances of going up the rankings any harm.