Top 10 Best Australian Bowlers - Updated 2025

Australia has long been known for not only producing world-class batters but also bowlers. As of 2025, this tradition continues to bring the new generation of bowlers. The Australian bowling attack remains a formidable force, combining experience, skill, and adaptability to dominate on both domestic and international stages.

From the legendary days of Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson, through the golden era of Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne, to the modern pace battery of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, Australia has consistently produced world-class bowlers. They have been exceptional for the Kangaroos over the years and have been consistent match-winners across formats for the side. Here in this article, we dive into both the best Australian fast bowlers and the spin bowlers that they have ever produced.

Ranking Factor

This list of the Best Australian Bowlers 2025 Ranked takes into account not just numbers like wickets and averages but also factors like match-winning performances, consistency across formats, impact in high-pressure games, and adaptability to different conditions. Here we will take three ranking factors: most wickets taken, impact, and consistency.

• Most Wickets: The most wickets taken factor is a primary factor in knowing the effectiveness of a bowler. It reflects not just longevity but also skill, adaptability, and match-winning capabilities across different formats.
• Impact: Impact goes beyond statistics and numbers; it is how a bowler changes the outcome of a game and shifts the momentum of the match. In cricket, a bowler's impact is often measured by their ability to deliver in under-pressure situations and high-stakes matches.
• Consistency: Consistency is one of the key factors to rank the best Australian bowlers. It is not about one magical spell or a five-wicket haul on some occasions. Consistency is all about showing up, match after match, delivering performances that help the team stay competitive.

List of Top 5 Best Australian Fast Bowlers

Australia has been known for producing some of the best fast bowlers in cricketing history. Now we dive into the 5 best Australian fast bowlers of all time who have made a serious impact in the history of cricket. The best Australian fast bowler of all time is Glenn McGrath.

Who are the Best Australian Fast Bowlers?

Australia has produced some of the best fast bowlers across generations. From the legendary days of Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson, through the golden era of Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, and now Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood, the six-time world champions have given rise to some of the best Australian bowlers of all time. The best Australian fast bowler of all time is Glenn McGrath, who was known for his amazing discipline and consistency of picking wickets across formats for the Aussies. He is also the all-time highest wicket-taker in the ICC ODI World Cup. Let's dive into the top 5 best Australian fast bowlers;

5. Pat Cummins (503 Wickets)

Pat Cummins has emerged as an important figure in the world of Test cricket since the beginning of the 2020s. Leading Australia from the front, Cummins has reinvented the position of a fast-bowling captain, demonstrating that bowlers, too, can be excellent leaders in the game's longest format. Cummins, who averages less than 22 in Test cricket.

His ability to bowl consistent hard lengths while moving the ball off the seam makes him a standout performer. Under his leadership, Australia reclaimed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a decade. Pat Cummins has been one of the best Australian fast bowlers of all time. This makes him one of the finest bowlers of this generation.

4. Brett Lee (718 Wickets)

Brett Lee, known for his ability to swing the ball at over 145km/h, was exceptional. He was among the fastest bowlers ever to play cricket; regularly, he would bowl at over 150 km/h, delivering balls that terrorized batsmen all around the globe. He has been an amazing fast bowler, with his lethal yorker and bouncer. Brett Lee was a mainstay in Australia’s pace attack for more than ten years.

Lee contributed to the cricketing team of Australia as their leading fast bowler very well, especially in the World Cups of 2003 and 2007, which brought much dominance to the game by Australia. In all formats, Lee has played 322 matches and taken 718 wickets with 19 five-wicket hauls and 31 four-wicket hauls. This is why he has been one of the best Australian pace bowlers.

3. Mitchell Starc (705 Wickets)

Mitchell Starc has been Australia's best fast bowler over the years. He has been Australia's best test bowler, known for his exceptional pace, lethal swing, and amazing inswing yorkers. The speedster has been crucial for the Kangaroos in various formats of the game. His aggressive mindset and approach to attack the stumps mark him out as one of the greatest Test bowlers of his era.

During the Ashes 2023, Starc was pivotal in dismantling England's batting line-up with his lethal swing and aggressive pace. He is also the active highest wicket-taker for Australia across formats. He is seven wickets away from surpassing the great Glenn McGrath to become the highest wicket-taker in the ICC ODI World Cup.

2. Dennis Lille (458 Wickets)

Dennis Lille is often hailed as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time. Lillee’s fierce pace, aggressive spirit, and unyielding passion for the game defined an era of Australian cricket. His sheer speed, aggressive style, and love of the game that Lillee had defined a generation of Australian cricket. Lillee's numbers may not be mind-blowing by today's expectations for pace bowlers, but his impact on the game was remarkable and enduring in cricket history.

Lillee had a career of highs and lows that included a career-threatening lower back injury, which exemplified his remarkable spirit. The fact that he was able to bounce back after a significant injury with a remodeled action only showed that Lillee was a fighter. He has 458 wickets in 133 matches, and this is the reason he ranks among the best Australian bowlers and also the best Australian fast bowlers of all time.

1. Glenn McGrath (948 Wickets)

Glenn McGrath was the principal of precision and discipline in fast bowling. He has been known for his relentless accuracy and ability to exploit even the slightest weaknesses in batters. McGrath’s methodical approach set him apart as one of the finest pace bowlers in cricket history. He has been the best Australian fast bowler of all time.

Beyond the numbers, McGrath’s greatest contribution was his consistency across conditions, whether in Australia, England, India, or the Caribbean. He played pivotal roles in multiple Ashes series victories and Australia’s World Cup triumphs. He is the highest wicket-taker in the ICC World Cup history with 77 wickets in the competition. This is why he ranks top of the best Australian bowlers of all time.

List of Top 5 Best Australian Spin Bowlers

Australia is famous for its great history of fast bowlers. But its contribution to the craft of spin bowling is also very important. The best spinners for Australia show their skills, significant variations from modern spin bowlers, and the ability to change the game across formats. Now we dive into the 5 best Australian spin bowlers of all time who have made a serious impact in the history of cricket. Shane Warne is the best Australian spin bowler of all time.

Who are the Best Australian Spin Bowlers?

Australia has been known for its fast bowlers over the years. But the spinners have also made their names in the rich history of the game. Shane Warne has been the best Australian spin bowler of all time. He was the first player to pick 700 test wickets. The greatest leg-spinner achieved the milestone against England. We dive into the top 5 best Australian spin bowlers of all time.

5. Richie Benaud (248 Wickets)

Richie Benaud, the name that has been the voice of cricket for more than two decades. He was known for his famous commentary on the history of the game. But many of the fans do not know that the masterful commentator was also a sensational all-rounder. Benaud made his Test debut in 1952 and announced himself as one of the finest spinners in the game.

In an era where batters dominated and pitches were also friendly towards them, Benaud claimed 248 wickets at an average of 27.03, featuring in just 63 test matches for the Kangaroos. This made him one of the best Australian spin bowlers of all time.

4. Stuart MacGill (214 Wickets)

Stuart MacGill could have been more famous if he had been born into a different era. He remains one of the most fascinating figures in Australian cricket history. A leg-spinner of immense talent, whose international career was often overshadowed by the presence of Shane Warne. He made an immediate impact with his amazing leg-spin, getting sharp turns, deceptive flight, and an aggressive approach.

In 47 Tests, MacGill took an impressive 214 wickets at an average of 28.70. Despite these impressive numbers, he was often considered Australia’s “second spinner,” a backup to Warne. MacGill’s style of bowling was more attacking than Warne’s; he consistently bowled for wickets rather than bowling in a defensive mindset.

3. Adam Zampa (304 Wickets)

Adam Zampa has been Australia's go-to spinner in limited overs format. Since making his international debut in 2016, Zampa has become a key figure in Australia’s limited-overs success. Zampa’s leg-spin is characterised by accuracy, subtle variations, and an uncanny ability to outthink batters in high-pressure situations. He has picked 304 wickets across formats for the Aussies.

While he lacks the biggest of turns as a traditional wrist spinner, his control over length, pace, and trajectory allows him to exploit even the smallest mistakes from batters. Zampa has been instrumental in Australia’s white-ball triumphs, including the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup and the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup. This makes him one of the best Australian spin bowlers of all time.

2. Nathan Lyon (583 Wickets)

Nathan Lyon has firmly earned himself as one of Australia’s best Test bowlers, particularly in the spin department. Lyon has been a constant presence in Australia's bowling attack, mastering the art of off-spin with impeccable control and sharp turn. With over 500 Test wickets, Lyon is Australia’s most successful off-spinner and among the top wicket-takers in Test history.

Unlike many spinners who rely heavily on turning pitches, Lyon can be effective in all conditions, including Australia’s traditionally pace-friendly tracks. In 2017, he claimed 63 wickets in Tests, many of which came in the Asian contingent. In the last WTC cycle, he picked 66 wickets, the most by any spinner. This is the reason he is one of the best Australian spinners of all time.

1. Shane Warne (708 Wickets)

Shane Warne is known as the best leg spinner in the world of all time. The Australian legend was the first player to pick 700 test wickets. His ball against Mike Gatting, which turned from the leg stump to clip the top of the off stump, was regarded as the ball of the century. Warne has the record for picking the most wickets in a calendar year.

He picked 96 wickets in 2005 and surpassed the great Dennis Lillee's record. His record of 999 wickets across 338 matches at an average of 25.53 and an economy of 2.98 is a testament to his consistency and match-winning prowess. Despite missing the 1000 wickets record, he will surely be the best Australian spin bowlers of all time and the best Australian bowlers of all time.