ICC: The 2019 cricket season was a landmark year for Test cricket, with classic rivalries reignited, young talent breaking through, and bowlers across the globe leaving their mark on the longest format of the game. One of the clearest ways to measure the influence of a bowler over a calendar year is through the ICC Test Bowler Rankings, which evaluate consistency, match impact, and quality of performance.
ICC: In this article, we’ll dive into the top-performing Test bowlers of 2019, analyzing their achievements, standout series, and what made them rise (or fall) in the rankings.
How ICC Test Bowler Rankings Work
- Wickets taken
- Runs conceded
- Strength of opposition
- Match context
- Home vs. away performances
These elements generate a rating score, with 900+ considered world-class.
Top 10 ICC Test Bowlers – Year-End 2019 Rankings
ICC: Here is a table showing the top 10 Test bowlers based on ICC ratings as the year concluded.
ICC Top 10 Test Bowlers – December 2019
| Rank | Player | Country | Rating | Matches in 2019 | Wickets Taken |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pat Cummins | Australia | 904 | 12 | 59 |
| 2 | Neil Wagner | New Zealand | 852 | 5 | 43 |
| 3 | Jason Holder | West Indies | 830 | 6 | 30 |
| 4 | Kagiso Rabada | South Africa | 802 | 8 | 31 |
| 5 | Jasprit Bumrah | India | 794 | 5 | 25 |
| 6 | James Anderson | England | 785 | 4 | 9 |
| 7 | Stuart Broad | England | 774 | 11 | 43 |
| 8 | Trent Boult | New Zealand | 765 | 7 | 32 |
| 9 | Mohammad Abbas | Pakistan | 755 | 6 | 24 |
| 10 | Nathan Lyon | Australia | 745 | 11 | 41 |
1. Pat Cummins – The Pace Spearhead
ICC: Australia’s Pat Cummins not only held the No. 1 ranking throughout the year but also consistently delivered match-winning spells. His ability to combine raw pace with accuracy made him the go-to strike bowler in every series.
- Key Performance: 29 wickets in the 2019 Ashes at an average under 20.
- Highlight: Helped Australia retain the Ashes in England—a feat they hadn’t achieved since 2001.
Cummins’ performances in both home and away conditions were stellar, underlining his adaptability and fitness.
2. Neil Wagner – Relentless and Underrated
Often overshadowed by more high-profile names, Neil Wagner was New Zealand’s unsung hero in 2019. His short-pitched barrage, especially on unresponsive pitches, broke through top orders regularly.
- Key Performance: 13 wickets in two Tests vs England in late 2019.
- Highlight: A career-best rating of 852 points.
He proved that intensity and strategy can be as effective as speed or spin in Test cricket.
3. Jason Holder – All-Round Leader
West Indies skipper Jason Holder was more than just a captain; he was the heartbeat of the Windies attack. With deadly accuracy and control, especially in home conditions, he delivered consistent performances.
- Key Performance: 11 wickets in the historic win against England in Barbados.
- Highlight: Climbed into the top 3 Test bowlers for the first time in his career.
Holder was particularly effective with the new ball and often broke key partnerships early in the innings.
4. Kagiso Rabada – The Engine of South Africa
- Key Performance: Multiple four-wicket hauls against India and Pakistan.
- Highlight: Maintained his position in the top 5 throughout the year.
Rabada’s 2019 showed he’s not just a strike bowler, but a leader of the bowling attack.
5. Jasprit Bumrah – India’s Overseas Star
2019 was another year in Jasprit Bumrah’s meteoric rise in Test cricket. Though he didn’t play as many matches due to injury, his impact was immense whenever he took the field.
- Key Performance: Hat-trick vs West Indies, first for an Indian since Harbhajan Singh.
- Highlight: Finished the year with an outstanding average under 15.
His unusual action, combined with the ability to move the ball both ways, makes him one of the most feared Test bowlers globally.
6 & 7. Anderson and Broad – England’s Evergreen Duo
Though James Anderson was hampered by injury, his teammate Stuart Broad picked up the mantle. Together, they formed a reliable pair in England’s Ashes defense.
- Broad’s Highlight: 43 wickets in 11 matches, many of them crucial top-order scalps.
- Anderson’s Challenge: Played only a few Tests, but remained potent when fit.
Their presence showed the value of experience in the red-ball format.
8. Trent Boult – Swing King of the South
New Zealand’s left-arm pacer, Trent Boult, continued to swing the ball with class and discipline. His ability to take early wickets helped set up several matches for the Kiwis.
- Key Series: Dominated against Sri Lanka and England.
- Highlight: Paired with Wagner to form one of the most effective duos in 2019.
9. Mohammad Abbas – Pakistan’s Silent Assassin
- Key Strength: Economy and precision.
- Highlight: Maintained a sub-25 average in most of his Test appearances in 2019.
10. Nathan Lyon – The Spin Anchor
While pacers dominated the rankings, Australia’s Nathan Lyon held the flag for spinners. His ability to extract bounce and deceive batters with flight made him a consistent threat.
- Key Performance: Key wickets in the Ashes and vs India.
- Highlight: 41 wickets across 11 Tests in the year.
Pace vs Spin: A 2019 Trend
The dominance of fast bowlers in the top 10 rankings reflects a broader shift in Test cricket. Whether in the bouncy pitches of Australia, the swinging conditions in England, or the dusty tracks of the Caribbean, pacers stole the spotlight in 2019.
A Year for the Quick Men
2019 will be remembered as a renaissance year for Test bowling, particularly for the pacers. With bowlers like Pat Cummins setting new standards of fitness, skill, and consistency, the competition to stay at the top of the rankings was fiercer than ever.
From Wagner’s grit to Bumrah’s brilliance, each of these bowlers brought something unique to the game, ensuring that Test cricket remained as thrilling as ever. As we moved into the new decade, these names stood not just as stats in a ranking table, but as ambassadors of the craft of bowling in its purest form.
