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Men's Test best bowling average
Data through 14 October 2026Last updated 14 October 2026
The best bowling average list for Men's Test cricket in the data is led by Scott Boland with 18.59. Minimum wickets: 50 in Tests and ODIs, 30 in T20s. The list covers matches in the Cricsheet data only (from the early 2000s), so older records are not included.
Top 10
Top 50
| # | Average | Player | Team | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18.59 | Scott Boland | Australia | 82 wkts, econ 2.87 · 2021–2026 |
| 2 | 19.26 | Ollie Robinson | England | 104 wkts, econ 2.68 · 2021–2026 |
| 3 | 19.67 | Axar Patel | India | 57 wkts, econ 2.53 · 2021–2025 |
| 4 | 19.79 | Jasprit Bumrah | India | 234 wkts, econ 2.77 · 2018–2025 |
| 5 | 20.23 | Kyle Jamieson | New Zealand | 90 wkts, econ 2.77 · 2020–2026 |
| 6 | 20.61 | Glenn McGrath | Australia | 92 wkts, econ 2.41 · 2002–2007 |
| 7 | 21.43 | Marco Jansen | South Africa | 93 wkts, econ 3.28 · 2021–2026 |
| 8 | 21.91 | Anderson Cummins | Australia | 326 wkts, econ 2.89 · 2011–2026 |
| 9 | 22.04 | Kagiso Rabada | South Africa | 340 wkts, econ 3.35 · 2015–2025 |
| 10 | 22.32 | Vernon Philander | South Africa | 224 wkts, econ 2.63 · 2011–2020 |
| 11 | 22.42 | Dale Steyn | South Africa | 431 wkts, econ 3.22 · 2006–2019 |
| 12 | 22.68 | Muhammad Abbas | Pakistan | 131 wkts, econ 2.58 · 2017–2026 |
| 13 | 22.85 | Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka | 243 wkts, econ 2.79 · 2003–2010 |
| 14 | 23.38 | Lungi Ngidi | South Africa | 58 wkts, econ 3.16 · 2018–2025 |
| 15 | 23.47 | Kuldeep Singh Yadav | India | 77 wkts, econ 3.56 · 2017–2026 |
| 16 | 23.52 | Ryan Harris | Australia | 113 wkts, econ 2.78 · 2010–2015 |
| 17 | 23.71 | Josh Hazlewood | Australia | 311 wkts, econ 2.78 · 2014–2026 |
| 18 | 23.81 | Shane Warne | Australia | 135 wkts, econ 2.99 · 2004–2007 |
| 19 | 23.85 | Simon Harmer | South Africa | 71 wkts, econ 2.94 · 2015–2026 |
| 20 | 23.86 | Stuart Clark | Australia | 94 wkts, econ 2.62 · 2006–2009 |
| 21 | 24.06 | Mohammad Asif | Pakistan | 93 wkts, econ 2.93 · 2006–2010 |
| 22 | 24.12 | Ravi Ashwin | India | 532 wkts, econ 2.84 · 2011–2024 |
| 23 | 24.22 | S Joseph | West Indies | 64 wkts, econ 3.94 · 2024–2026 |
| 24 | 24.27 | Duanne Olivier | South Africa | 59 wkts, econ 3.75 · 2017–2024 |
| 25 | 25.09 | Nauman Ali | Pakistan | 101 wkts, econ 3.10 · 2021–2026 |
| 26 | 25.35 | AAP Atkinson | England | 83 wkts, econ 3.65 · 2024–2026 |
| 27 | 25.64 | Ravindra Jadeja | India | 350 wkts, econ 2.59 · 2012–2026 |
| 28 | 25.85 | Jayden Seales | West Indies | 110 wkts, econ 3.37 · 2021–2026 |
| 29 | 25.92 | Doug Bollinger | Australia | 50 wkts, econ 3.24 · 2009–2010 |
| 30 | 26.05 | Matthew Henry | New Zealand | 152 wkts, econ 3.11 · 2015–2026 |
| 31 | 26.10 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | India | 63 wkts, econ 2.95 · 2013–2018 |
| 32 | 26.17 | Mitchell Starc | Australia | 448 wkts, econ 3.43 · 2011–2026 |
| 33 | 26.33 | JC Tongue | England | 76 wkts, econ 4.11 · 2023–2026 |
| 34 | 26.33 | James Pattinson | Australia | 81 wkts, econ 3.23 · 2011–2020 |
| 35 | 26.41 | James Anderson | England | 682 wkts, econ 2.77 · 2003–2024 |
| 36 | 26.82 | Kemar Roach | West Indies | 304 wkts, econ 3.12 · 2009–2026 |
| 37 | 27.00 | Christopher Tremlett | England | 53 wkts, econ 2.96 · 2007–2013 |
| 38 | 27.06 | Rangana Herath | Sri Lanka | 404 wkts, econ 2.79 · 2005–2018 |
| 39 | 27.22 | Anrich Nortje | South Africa | 74 wkts, econ 3.67 · 2019–2026 |
| 40 | 27.43 | Ryan Sidebottom | England | 79 wkts, econ 2.77 · 2007–2010 |
| 41 | 27.50 | Trent Boult | New Zealand | 317 wkts, econ 3.00 · 2011–2022 |
| 42 | 27.55 | Asitha Fernando | Sri Lanka | 91 wkts, econ 3.51 · 2021–2026 |
| 43 | 27.57 | Neil Wagner | New Zealand | 260 wkts, econ 3.13 · 2012–2024 |
| 44 | 27.67 | Morne Morkel | South Africa | 309 wkts, econ 3.11 · 2006–2018 |
| 45 | 27.68 | Stuart Broad | England | 604 wkts, econ 2.98 · 2007–2023 |
| 46 | 27.71 | Mohammed Shami | India | 229 wkts, econ 3.31 · 2013–2023 |
| 47 | 27.86 | Blessing Muzarabani | Zimbabwe | 50 wkts, econ 3.38 · 2017–2026 |
| 48 | 28.09 | Hasan Ali | Pakistan | 88 wkts, econ 3.07 · 2017–2026 |
| 49 | 28.11 | Saeed Ajmal | Pakistan | 178 wkts, econ 2.59 · 2009–2014 |
| 50 | 28.11 | Shaun Pollock | South Africa | 92 wkts, econ 2.55 · 2002–2008 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the Men's Test record for best bowling average?
Scott Boland: 18.59, in the Cricsheet data. Minimum wickets: 50 in Tests and ODIs, 30 in T20s.
Who is second on the Men's Test best bowling average list?
Ollie Robinson with 19.26.
More Men's Test records
Highest team totalsLowest team totalsHighest individual scoresBest bowling figures in an inningsMost runsMost wicketsMost hundredsMost fiftiesMost sixesMost sixes in an inningsBest batting averageBest economy rateBiggest wins by runsMost runs in a calendar yearMost wickets in a calendar yearMost runs in a series or tournamentMost wickets in a series or tournamentHighest partnershipsMost ducksMost catches (fielders)
Coverage: matches in the Cricsheet data only (from the early 2000s; matches involving the Afghanistan men's team are withheld). These are not all-time records.
Source: computed by CricketWise from Cricsheet ball-by-ball data (ODC-BY). Definitions: methodology.