Top 5 greatest fast bowlers of all time

3. Glenn McGrath (Australia)

Glenn McGrath was a bowler of metronomic accuracy and single-minded focus. He was a fierce competitor who always wanted to win his battles against the batsmen. He also preferred to keep things simple and stick to the basics. He put the ball in the right areas consistently and waited for the batsmen to commit errors, which they did frequently.

McGrath was almost peerless in terms of statistics also. He took 563 wickets in 124 test matches which made him the most successful fast-bowler in the history of the game. He had an amazing average of 21.64 and an equally great strike rate of 51.90. His ODI record was stupendous too as he took 381 wickets at an economy rate below 4.

McGrath never relied on pace and his bowling speed hovered around the 85 mph mark. Being 6 feet 5 inches tall, he was very effective with his bouncers too. He formed a deadly partnership with fellow great Shane Warne and the pair won Australia numerous test matches. He was also a part of the most successful cricket team of all time as Australia dominated world cricket throughout the 1990s and 2000s. McGrath’s relentless accuracy and winning mentality was one of the reasons behind that success.

About the author

Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.

Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.

Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.

Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.

Know More

Looking for fast live cricket scores? Download CricRocket and get fast score updates, top-notch commentary in-depth match stats & much more! 🚀☄️

Edited by Kumud Ranjan