Jasprit Bumrah vs Glenn McGrath: Comparing the stats of the two after 45 Tests

Jasprit Bumrah and Glenn McGrath are two of the most respected fast bowlers in cricket. They are known for their unique approach to the game, which has made life difficult for batters worldwide.

McGrath, the Australian legend, earned a reputation for his remarkable accuracy and ability to consistently hit the same spot, putting constant pressure on the batters. On the other hand, Bumrah’s rise has been defined by his sharp pace, deadly yorkers, and a distinctive bowling action that keeps batters on edge.

Despite playing in different eras, both have left a lasting impact on the game. McGrath was an integral part of Australia’s dominance in the late 90s and early 2000s, setting numerous records and cementing his place among the greatest fast bowlers of all time.

Meanwhile, Bumrah, who made his international debut in 2016, has rapidly become India’s leading bowler across all formats, establishing himself as a key figure in the team.

Now that the Indian pacer has played 45 Tests, we will compare his statistics to those of McGrath after the same number of matches.

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Comparing the stats of Jasprit Bumrah and Glenn McGrath after 45 Tests

#1 Most wickets

The 31-year-old Jasprit Bumrah has represented India in 45 Tests so far, taking 205 wickets, including 13 five-wicket hauls. In comparison, Glenn McGrath claimed 202 wickets in his first 45 Tests, with 11 five-wicket hauls.

Looking at the bigger picture, McGrath played a total of 124 Tests for Australia, finishing with 563 wickets, including 29 five-wicket hauls.

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#2 Bowling average

Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has picked up 205 wickets in 45 Tests at an outstanding average of 19.40, meaning he claims a wicket for every 20 runs conceded on average.

In comparison, Glenn McGrath took 202 wickets in his first 45 Tests, with an average of 23.45. By the end of McGrath’s illustrious career, his average improved to 21.64.

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#3 Strike rate

Another important aspect to consider when comparing the statistics of these two great fast bowlers is their strike rate. Jasprit Bumrah has claimed 205 wickets at a strike rate of 42.10, which means he takes a wicket roughly every seven overs.

On the other hand, Glenn McGrath had a strike rate of 53.24 in his first 45 Tests, indicating he took a wicket approximately every nine overs. By the time McGrath retired, his career strike rate improved slightly to 51.6 after 124 Tests.

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#4 Home-Away record

Jasprit Bumrah has featured in 12 Tests on home soil, where he has taken 47 wickets. However, the majority of his success has come overseas, having played 33 Tests abroad and claiming 158 wickets.

In contrast, out of Glenn McGrath's first 45 Tests, 24 were at home, where he took 111 wickets, while the remaining 91 wickets came from 21 away Tests. McGrath's overall record stands at 289 wickets in home Tests and 274 wickets in away Tests by the end of his career.

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#5 Best figures

Jasprit Bumrah's career-best figures came during the 2019 Test against the West Indies in Kingston. In the West Indies' first innings, the Indian pacer took six wickets for just 27 runs, including a hat-trick, making him only the third Indian bowler to achieve the feat.

On the other hand, Glenn McGrath's best performance in his first 45 Tests came against England at Lord's in 1997, during his 30th Test. McGrath claimed eight wickets for only 38 runs.

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Conclusion

Jasprit Bumrah and Glenn McGrath have both proven to be outstanding fast bowlers, each leaving a lasting impact on cricket. Bumrah, with his exceptional bowling average of 19.40 and a strike rate of 42.10, has particularly thrived in foreign conditions.

Meanwhile, McGrath, known for his unwavering accuracy, claimed 202 wickets in his first 45 Tests, averaging 23.45 and with a strike rate of 53.24.

While Bumrah's early career shows immense potential, McGrath's remarkable record of 563 wickets and a career average of 21.64 firmly places him among the greatest fast bowlers in history. Though they played in different eras, both have made remarkable contributions to the sport, and their achievements will continue to inspire cricketers for years to come.