England’s greatest fast bowler, James Anderson, created buzz amid the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 in Australia by sharing his personal list of the greatest fast bowlers in a blind ranking challenge. Anderson picked the greatest pacers on the Tailenders podcast’s Instagram page.
At the very top of his list, Anderson placed England legend Ian Botham. Botham enjoyed a remarkable international career, finishing with 528 wickets at an average of 28.44. He also picked up 27 five-wicket hauls, and his ability to change games with both ball and bat clearly earned him the top spot in Anderson’s list of greatest fast bowlers.
James Anderson names the greatest ever fast bowlers
The Englishman ranked the former South African speedster Dale Steyn second. Steyn, who was known for his raw pace, aggression, and consistency across all formats during his celebrated career, is one of the greatest ever pacers the game has ever seen. The Proteas great finished his international career with 699 wickets at an average of 23.37 and 29 five-wicket hauls to his name.
Your daily dose of cricket!
India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah also found a place in the legendary England fast bowler’s elite club of the greatest fast bowlers. Bumrah was ranked third by Anderson. The Indian pacer has already taken 484 international wickets and has an incredible bowling average of under 21.
Bumrah’s unorthodox action, deadly accuracy, and ability to deliver in all conditions have made him one of the most feared bowlers in modern cricket. Interestingly, Bumrah was picked ahead of the likes of Wasim Akram, Shaun Pollock, Lasith Malinga, and Mitchell Johnson.
Wasim Akram and Michael Holding among James Anderson’s greatest bowlers
Pakistan great Wasim Akram was ranked fourth, and Anderson labeled him as the best left-arm fast bowler. Akram finished his career with a massive 916 international wickets, which places him third on the all-time list of fast bowlers, behind only Anderson himself and Glenn McGrath.
West Indies legend Michael Holding took the fifth spot. Holding, who was famous for his smooth run-up and sheer speed, finished his international career with 391 wickets at an excellent average of 22.84. He remains one of the most stylish and effective fast bowlers the game has ever seen.
Meanwhile, former Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga was also picked by Anderson at No. 6, majorly because of his dominance in white-ball cricket, where his unique sling-arm action and deadly yorkers made him almost unplayable. Malinga ended his international career with 546 wickets.
Read Also: Babar Azam HUMILIATED and MOCKED by BBL on debut night
Mitchell Johnson ranked 9th best fast bowler
Former South African captain Shaun Pollock was slotted at number seven. Pollock, who was known for his control and consistency rather than raw pace and was one of the most reliable fast bowlers of his era, took 829 international wickets at an average under 24.
New Zealand left-arm pacer Trent Boult was ranked eighth by the former England fast bowler. Boult has taken over 600 international wickets at an average of 25.60. Anderson named his former rival and former Australian pacer, Mitchell Johnson at the ninth spot.
The left-arm pace finished his career with 590 international wickets at an average of 26.65 and claimed 15 five-wicket hauls. The final spot in Anderson’s top 10 went to his former teammate Jofra Archer. The England seamer has shown immense potential despite struggling with injuries, taking 163 international wickets so far.
