Top 10 Wicket Takers in International Cricket in 2020

Here is a list of Top 10 wicket takers in International cricket in 2020. In case of tie in the number of wickets – I used bowling average as the differential. Only one among these bowlers has produced more than one 5 wicket haul in the Covid-19 hit year!

10. Jasprit Bumrah – 27 wickets

Jasprit Bumrah is at No.10 for his 27 wickets in 24 innings in the year 2020. He had a dismal bowling average of 38.03 which put him at this spot even though two other bowlers have taken the same amount of wickets this year. He had no 5 wicket hauls to his name in the year. His best bowling figures came in the last Test of the year at MCG. He picked 4-56 in the 1st innings of Boxing Day Test.

9. Shaheen Shah Afridi – 27 wickets

Shaheen Shah Afridi has impressed one and all with his wicket taking ability this year. He took 27 wickets in 2020 in 19 innings. He produced one 5 wicket haul to his name – 5-49 against Zimbabwe in a ODI at Rawalpindi. However his bowling average wasn’t that great at 32.14

8. Chris Woakes – 27 wickets

Chris Woakes is placed at number eight for his 27 wickets in just 16 innings at a bowling average of 23.22. His best of 5-50 came against West Indies at Manchester. Chris Woakes all-round ability was a huge boost to England in 2020.

7. Kyle Jamieson – 31 wickets

New Zealand pacer Kyle Jamieson was the find of the year. He took 31 wickets in just 16 innings at an average of 18.12. He picked two 5 wicket hauls – 5-45 against India at Christchurch and 5-34 against West Indies at Basin Reserve, Wellington.

6. Mitchell Starc – 32 wickets

Aussie pacer Mitchell Starc takes the 6th position for his 32 wickets in 24 innings. He had a below average year for his standards – with a bowling average of 33.87. He also had no 5 wicket hauls in 2020. His best bowling figures of the year 4-53 came against India at Adelaide in the Day-Night Test.

5. Lungi Ngidi – 32 wickets

Proteas pacer Lungi Ngidi certainly had a noticeable year with 32 wickets in just 15 innings. Ngidi featured in just one Test in 2020. Majority of his wickets have come in the limited overs format. He showcased a bowling average of 20.12 as his lone 5 wicket haul came in the form of 6-58 in a ODI against Australia at Bloemfontein.

4. Pat Cummins – 34 wickets

Aussie pacer Pat Cummins secured a spot in the Top 5 with 34 wickets in 22 innings with a bowling average of 28.08. His best bowling figures of 4-21 came against India in the 2nd innings of Adelaide Test where the visitors bundled out for 36 runs.

3. Adam Zampa – 38 wickets

Australian leg spinner Adam Zampa with 38 wickets in 22 innings is the only spinner to feature in the list this year. All his wickets came in limited over Internationals. He averaged 23.60 with the ball. Zampa produced two 4 wicket hauls in the year (4-55 against England at Manchester and 4-54 against India at Sydney).

2. Stuart Broad – 38 wickets

Stuart Broad had a screaming year as he picked 38 wickets in 15 innings at a bowling average of 14.76. Stuart Broad confined to red ball cricket for England these days had the best bowling figures of 6-31 against West Indies at Manchester. It was the Test in which he produced a 10 wicket match bowling figures.

1. Tim Southee – 46 wickets

New Zealand pacer Tim Southee topped the chart with 46 wickets in 22 innings. He was the only bowler to produce two 5 wicket hauls in 2020. Both his 5 wicket hauls came at Wellington in the form of 5-61 against India and 5-32 against West Indies.