Cricket is a sport that holds a list of some serious rivalries between the players to be the best in the world. However, it is not an easy task to be the best in the business in a long list of players. But, it is not impossible. In the gentleman’s game, the batsmen try to outclass bowlers and vice-versa.

The sport has produced some gem of bowlers in the history that like Wasim Akram, Malcolm Marshall, Shoaib Akhtar, Zaheer Khan and many more, who were no less than a nightmare for any batsmen. It is well-known that in one last decade the game has seen a dramatic shift in terms of technique, and technology that has given an edge to the batsmen against the bowlers.

But, how is it said that talent doesn’t need any excuse and it is true to an extent. At the moment there are many talented bowlers making their ways direct to the top in international cricket. But some are just exceptional and extraordinary. There is a list of best batsmen in the world that is reckoned as fab-4. It comprises of Steve Smith, Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson and Joe Root. Likewise, we are going to create a list of top five bowlers across all the formats at the moment.

Let’s check out fab-five bowlers in international cricket:-

5. Trent Boult (New Zealand)

Trent Boult is a gem of a cricketer from New Zealand. He is undoubtedly one of the best bowlers that Kiwi’s have ever produced in its cricketing history. He is quite lethal when it comes to Test cricket as his toe-crushing yorkers at a pace off and around 145 km/hr make it difficult for the batsmen to play strokes off it.

He is effective in the longer format but he performs quite efficiently in the limited-overs format too. His bowling economy tells much about his calibre which is 5.05 in ODIs and 8,64 in T20Is. Recently, he grabbed a total of 11 wickets in the two-match Test series against Team India. It is a big thing as Virat Kohli and Co. holds some brilliant batsmen in their batting armoury.

Boult has played a total of 67 Tests, 89 ODIs and 27 T20Is for New Zealand in he has grabbed 267, 164 and 39 wickets in respective formats. So, he is the fifth bowler in our list of fab-5 bowlers in world cricket.

4. Mitchell Starc (Australia)

Mitchell Starc from Australia is very different from the others operating in international cricket. His slingy action at pace off and around 150 km/hr have always been a big plus for him. And, who can forget his spell against New Zealand in World Cup 2015 when he swept off the batting line-up of the opposition. However, he ended up on losing end but that was enough to make a noise in the world that Australia has produced another speedster like Micthell Johnson. Even his action is also quite similar to the former player.

Just one thing that has always been an obstacle throughout until now is his injury. Otherwise, he is seriously a threat to any batsmen when he is bowling at his best. Moreover, he is not a bowler of just ODIs. He is quite efficient in Tests as well as T20Is.

Starc undoubtedly deserves to be part of this list as the Australian can easily leave his rivals behind if he overcomes his problem of getting injuries. At the moment, he one among the top 10 bowlers in Test and ODI rankings. So far, he has grabbed a total of 495 wickets across all the formats.

3. Kagiso Rabada (South Africa)

South Africa is currently going through a phase of transition after their experienced players departed. Meanwhile, one bowler that has etched his name in the history of cricket from their country is none other than Kagiso Rabada. He is quick, aggressive, ferocious and has all the elements that the best bowler should have in him. In the concluded year, he grabbed 33 wickets in eight games for his team.

There is no question over the fact that the previous year went into Rabada’s corner as far as his individual performance his concerned. His quick bouncers are unanswerable and batsmen have no way to deal with it. There was one occasion when he saved 5 runs against Andre Russell in the Super Over. Also, his yorker forced the Caribbean player to come down to his knees while one of the deliveries blew away Russell’s stumps.

It is quite rare to watch Russell getting stuck in such a situation while batting at his best. He is currently ranked 5th in ODIs and Tests respectively. He has proved his worth on every stage across the globe in friendly as well as adverse conditions. So, far he has grabbed 344 international wickets across all the formats.

2. Jasprit Bumrah (India)

Jasprit Bumrah, the right-hand bowler has a unique action that helps him in getting some extra bit of pace and bounce from the wickets. He is regarded as one of the best death bowlers across the globe. He has emerged as one of the main bowlers in Team India’s armoury that can single-handedly win games for his side with the ball.

The batsmen find it next to impossible to smack in the death overs. In T20Is he has an economy of 6.66 which is quite brilliant when batsmen have got more thick bats prepared with new technology. However, the previous year didn’t go down well for him due to his stress fracture. Also, he failed to leave his mark in his comeback. But, that can never take away the credits for what he has done so far for Team India.

On the worse days, he is still better than many international bowlers. His conviction of bowling yorkers and bouncers on perfect line is unmatchable. There is no bowler that can beat him over the same. So far, he has grabbed a total of 239 wickets across all the formats for Team India. Bumrah is currently ranked 7th in Tests and 2nd in ODIs in the latest ODI rankings.

1. Pat Cummins (Australia)

Pat Cummins, the right-hand fast bowler from Australia has emerged as one of the finest bowlers at the moment in World Cricket. Usage of fingers play a vital role in bowlers life as they can perform tricks with their help. But, Cummins tragically doesn’t have some part of his finger. However, he overcame from it and went onto become one of the best bowlers in international cricket.

He has marked his way back into the international cricket with bang on performances. He made his debut back in 2011 in international cricket. But, at that moment no one thought that he might emerge as one of the best bowlers. In the last couple of years, he has turned the tables towards him with consistent performances. Cummins has grabbed 103 wickets in 20 Tests played between 2018 and end of 2019. Meanwhile, in ODIs, he has taken 39 wickets in 22 appearances in the same span of time.

The 6 ft tall bowler is certainly a nightmare for any best batsmen in World cricket. And, his performances in the recent past has changed everything for the Aussie cricketer. At the moment in the latest ICC rankings, he has been ranked number one in Test bowlers and fourth in ODIs.