Living bowling machines: Bowlers who bowled the most balls in cricket history

Some people just keep on going – this is what life has taught us. Whether it’s down to passion, dedication or sheer bloody-mindedness, there are people who just won’t stop.Cricket too has had its fair share of Duracell bunnies, players who simply went on, and on. Here, we look at the bowlers who have bowled their way to the top of the cricketing charts. They have collectively started half a million run-ups, half a million turns of the arm and hurled close to half a million deliveries.The ones who never stopped...Note:(i) All numbers are combined data from Tests, ODIs and T20Is(ii) Last updated on 23 October 2014

#10 Chaminda Vaas

Span	Matches	Balls	Runs	Wickets	BBI	BBM	Avg.	Econ	SR	5WI	10WI
1994-2009	439	39345	21643	761	8/19	14/191	28.44	3.30	51.7	16	2

At no.10 on our list of most deliveries bowled is Sri Lankan pacer Chaminda Vaas. With a list of achievements as long as his name, Vaas played top-tier cricket for Sri Lanka for close to 15 years.

During that time, he sent down close to 40000 deliveries, picking up 761 scalps along the way.

Most deliveries bowled vs. – Pakistan (6639)

#9 Shaun Pollock

Span	Matches	Balls	Runs	Wickets	BBI	BBM	Avg.	Econ	SR	5WI	10WI
1995-2008	423	40308	19673	829	7/87	10/147	23.73	2.92	48.6	21	1

South Africa’s Shaun Pollock makes it to the no.9 spot. Pollock, whose career spanned 13 years, ended with 829 wickets to his name at a stunning average of 23.73. He was quite the frugal bowler, as his economy rate of 2.92 indicates.

Most deliveries bowled vs. – England (7310)

#8 Wasim Akram

Span	Matches	Balls	Runs	Wickets	BBI	BBM	Avg.	Econ	SR	5WI	10WI
1984-2003	460	40813	21591	916	7/119	11/110	23.57	3.17	44.5	31	5

Yet another pacer on the list, and at no. 8 it’s Wasim Akram from Pakistan. The veteran pacer, one of the true greats of the game, ended with close to 41000 balls bowled. In his 19-year career, Akram picked up 916 wickets at an astonishing average of 23.57.

Most deliveries bowled vs. – West Indies (6854)

#7 Courtney Walsh

Span	Matches	Balls	Runs	Wickets	BBI	BBM	Avg.	Econ	SR	5WI	10WI
1984-2001	337	40841	19606	746	7/37	13/55	26.28	2.88	54.7	23	3

Fact – Courtney Walsh appears on any and all list involving the words “greatest” or “most” or “best”. The West Indian ended a glittering cricket career in the summer of 2001, finishing with 746 wickets to his name and more than 40000 deliveries bowled.

Most deliveries bowled vs. – Australia (10498)

#6 Harbhajan Singh

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Span	Matches	Balls	Runs	Wickets	BBI	BBM	Avg.	Econ	SR	5WI	10WI
1998-2013	355	40892	22596	694	8/84	15/217	32.55	3.31	58.9	28	5

At no.6 on our list is India’s ace off-spinner, Harbhajan Singh. “Bhajji”, as he is fondly called, bowled more than 40000 deliveries in his 15-year career, and although a recall to the Indian team looks unlikely, Bhajji will still be remembered for the way he destroyed oppositions on the dust bowls of the subcontinent.

Most deliveries bowled vs. – Australia (7824)

#5 Glenn McGrath

Span	Matches	Balls	Runs	Wickets	BBI	BBM	Avg.	Econ	SR	5WI	10WI
1993-2007	376	42266	20656	949	8/24	10/27	21.76	2.93	44.5	36	3

The highest ranked pace bowler on this list, Australia’s Glenn McGrath comes in at no. 5 on the list of most deliveries bowled. The Aussie had a knack for consistently bowling a great length and line, and he will go down as one of the most accurate and deadly bowlers in the world of cricket.

His career best figures of 8/24 and 10/27 tell you all you need to know about him – quick, accurate and consistent.

Most deliveries bowled vs. – England (9072)

#4 Daniel Vettori

Span	Matches	Balls	Runs	Wickets	BBI	BBM	Avg.	Econ	SR	5WI	10WI
1997-2014	421	42528	22101	681	7/87	12/149	32.45	3.11	62.4	22	3

The second spinner on our list so far, at no. 4 is New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori. The Kiwi maestro played for 14 years, sending down well over 40000 deliveries with that lovely left arm action.

Easily the best and most successful spin bowler to come out of New Zealand, Vettori’s recent injuries have reduced his time on the field. He has played 421 matches and pick up 681 wickets in all forms of the game.

The most, Vettori bowled in one innings was 71 overs (426 balls) in a Test match against India in Mohali, 1999.

Most deliveries bowled vs. – Australia (8206)

#3 Shane Warne

Span	Matches	Balls	Runs	Wickets	BBI	BBM	Avg.	Econ	SR	5WI	10WI
1992-2007	339	51347	25536	1001	8/71	12/128	25.51	2.98	51.2	38	10

The wizard of leg-spin, Shane Warne, makes it to the podium. In a 15-year span, Warney bowled a little more than 51000 balls, picking up literally a ton of wickets. His economy rate of 2.98 is astonishing, considering the art that he practised.

The most that Warne bowled in an innings was 70 overs (420 balls) in a match against South Africa at Cape Town, 2002

Most deliveries bowled vs. – England (11769)

#2 Anil Kumble

Span	Matches	Balls	Runs	Wickets	BBI	BBM	Avg.	Econ	SR	5WI	10WI
1990-2008	403	55346	28767	956	10/74	14/149	30.09	3.11	57.8	37	8

Coming in at no.2 on the all-time list of most deliveries bowled is Anil Kumble, the leg spinner who hardly ever spun the ball. Kumble was often the go-to guy for Indian captains, and it’s no wonder that he is so far up the list.

Kumble bowled his highest quota of balls in an innings against Sri Lanka in Colombo 1997, when he sent down 432 balls (72 overs).

Most deliveries bowled vs. – South Africa (9068)

#1 Muttiah Muralitharan

Span	Matches	Balls	Runs	Wickets	BBI	BBM	Avg.	Econ	SR	5WI	10WI
1992-2011	495	63132	30803	1347	9/51	16/220	22.86	2.92	46.8	77	22

And finally, the top of the tree. In a career spanning 19 years, Muralitharan sent down a staggering 63132 deliveries, with an astonishing average of 22.86. He ended with a total of 1347 scalps.

The most balls bowled by Murali in an innings was 450 (75 overs), in a Test match against India at Mohali, 1997.

Most deliveries bowled vs. – India (10317)