James Anderson reveals his all-time Top 10 fast bowlers

England’s greatest fast bowler, James Anderson, has created a buzz amid the ongoing 2025-26 Ashes in Australia by sharing his personal list of the greatest fast bowlers in a blind ranking challenge. Anderson picked out the greatest players on his Tailenders podcast Instagram page.

At the top of his list, Anderson has put England legend Ian Botham. Botham enjoyed an impressive international career, finishing with 528 wickets at an average of 28.44. He also took 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 the greatest fast bowlers.

He calls James Anderson the greatest fast bowlers of all time

The Englishman ranked former South African speedster Dale Steyn second. Steyn, who was known for his blistering pace, aggression and consistency in all formats during his famous career, is one of the greatest players 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.

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Indian spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has also found a place in England’s legendary elite club of fast bowlers that includes the greatest fast bowlers. Bumrah finished third at the hands of Anderson. The Indian pacer has already taken 484 wickets internationally and has an impressive under-21 bowling average.

Bumrah’s unorthodox antics, deadly accuracy and ability to deliver in all conditions have made him one of the most feared bowlers in modern cricket. Interestingly, Bumrah was selected ahead of the likes of Wasim Akram, Sean Pollock, Lasith Malinga and Mitchell Johnson.

Wasim Akram and Michael Holding are among James Anderson’s greatest bowlers

Pakistani senior pacer Wasim Akram finished fourth, with Anderson describing him as the best left-arm fast bowler. Akram finished his career with 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 finished fifth. Holding, who was known for his smooth runs and sheer pace, finished his international career with 391 wickets at an excellent average of 22.84. He remains one of the most elegant and effective fast bowlers of all time.

Meanwhile, Anderson also picked former Sri Lanka pacer Lasith Malinga at number six, mainly due to his dominance in white-ball cricket, where his unique arm action and deadly yorkers made him almost unplayable. Malinga finished his international career with 546 wickets.

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Mitchell Johnson was ranked as the ninth best fast bowler

Former South Africa captain Sean Pollock came in seventh place. Pollock, who was known for his control and consistency rather than raw speed and was one of the most reliable fast bowlers of his era, took 829 international wickets at an average of less than 24.

New Zealand left-arm spinner Trent Boult is ranked eighth by the former England fast bowler. Boult has taken over 600 international wickets at an average of 25.60. Anderson named former rival and former Australian player Mitchell Johnson at number nine.

The left-arm pacer finished his career with 590 international wickets at an average of 26.65 and took 15 five-wicket hauls. The final spot in Anderson’s top 10 goes to former teammate Jofra Archer. The English player has shown tremendous potential despite struggling with injuries, taking 163 international wickets so far.