Nathan Lyon’s three-wicket haul in the first innings of the opening Test between South Africa and Australia is a continuation of the off-spinner’s consistency with the red ball in the past five years.
The 30-year-old has been at the top of his game and now finds himself playing a leading role in Australia’s bowling attack.
His display in the five-year period starting from March 1, 2013 puts him amongst the top-five wicket-taking bowers in the format.
Here, we take a look at those elite bowlers.
STUART BROAD – 227 WICKETS
The England pacer might have endured a dismal Ashes Down Under but that does not stop him from featuring on the list.
The 31-year-old has formed a lethal partnership with James Anderson which has seen England become a dominant force in the five-day format.
Since 2013, Broad has picked up 227 wickets in 62 Tests at an average of 27.3. It includes his career-best figures of 8-15 in an Ashes Test against Australia in Nottingham in 2015.
Broad remains a force in Test cricket.
NATHAN LYON – 228 WICKETS
The Aussie’s recent display has seen him overtake Broad to become the fourth most successful bowler since 2013. From a relatively unknown name when he first burst on to the scene in 2011, Lyon has established himself as one of the leading spinners in world cricket.
For the first time since the retirement of Shane Warne, Australia finally have a spinner who can hold his own on any track around the globe.
His 227 wickets during the five-year period have come from 55 Tests at an average of 30.8. It includes a career-best of 8-50 against India at Bengaluru last year, proving that Lyon can flourish in the subcontinent too.
Lyon has filled Australia’s spin void.
RANGANA HERATH – 229 WICKETS
One wicket ahead of Lyon is Sri Lanka veteran Rangana Herath. Though his peak might have coincided with the start of the island nation’s recent decline, take nothing away from Herath who has been defying age and convention with his orthodox left-arm spin.
The 39-year-old has been one of the rare bright sparks for the islanders in their recent travails. He has picked up 229 wickets in just 44 Tests, at an average of 26.7.
His most memorable performance came in Sri Lanka’s 105-run win over Pakistan at Colombo in 2014 where he ran through almost the entire batting card with figures of 9-127.
Herath is going strong at 39.
JAMES ANDERSON – 235 WICKETS
The 31-year-old spearhead is without a doubt the best pacer to emerge from England.
Already fifth on the all-time wicket taking list and only behind Glenn McGrath amongst pacers, Anderson has been leading England’s pace attack for nearly a decade.
A master proponent of swing and seam, Anderson has the best average among the top five bowlers in the period at 23.7.
His best came at Lords against the West Indies in a devastating spell of 7-42.
Anderson has been the leading pacer in world cricket for nearly a decade.
RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN – 236 WICKETS
Just one wicket ahead of Anderson, India’s Ravichandran Ashwin has been one of the most dominant bowlers over the past five years.
The off-spinner has thrived on the back of a long and extended home season for India where they swept aside everyone in front of them to establish themselves as the top dogs in Test cricket.
Ashwin has picked up his 236 wickets in only 44 Tests at an average of 24.1.
The 31-year-old’s best figures came against New Zealand at Indore in 2016 where he picked up 7-59.
He might have been usurped by the wrist-spinners in India’s limited-overs setup, but in Test cricket, Ashwin still reins large as king.
Ashwin remains the king in Test cricket.
