James Anderson vs Jasprit Bumrah vs Wasim Akram: Who Is Better After 46 Test Matches?

James Anderson, Jasprit Bumrah and Wasim Akram [Source: @photodavidson, @BoltonFM/x.com]

Three bowling legends and three different eras, and looking at their article at a particular stage in their career. Wasim Akram, James Anderson and Jasprit Bumrah have been match-winners with the ball for their respective teams in their eras. The brilliance of these geniuses presents a great case for comparative study.

 In this article, we will do a comparative analysis of their statistical performance, match impact, and adaptability to determine who was or is superior at the specific career stage.

Head-to-Head Statistics After 46 Test Matches

The Numbers That Matter

Jaspit Bumrah has picked up wickets at an average of 19.60. This remarkable number stands out immediately. In 46 matches, the Indian player has 14 five-wicket hauls, which represents an impressive 15.9% success rate.

Looking at Wasim Akram, he had an average of 23.59 after 46 Test matches. While he took more deliveries for one wicket, he got them at a better economy and already had two ten-wicket in a match hauls. His 12 five-fers in 79 innings indicate a 15.2% success rate, which is very close to that of Jasprit Bumrah.

By the end of the 46th Test match, Jimmy Anderson has an average of 34.81. This suggests that the English legend was in its developmental phase at the time. He had eight five-fers from 83 innings, a success rate of 9.6%, which shows he was still trying to find his rhythm during these years.

Home vs Away Performance

Akram showed remarkable consistency across all conditions. However, Bumrah adapted instantly to overseas conditions. A particularly insightful observation is that James Anderson struggled significantly away from home.

Match-Winning Impact Of The 3 Players

In victories, the difference in impact of the three bowlers is stark:

• Bumrah: 14.50 average, nine five-wicket hauls
• Akram: 17.97 average, three five-wicket hauls
• Anderson: 25.76 average, five five-wicket hauls

Jasprit Bumrah's average of 14.50 in winning causes demonstrates his match-defining ability. In just 46 matches, Bumrah has contributed with nine wickets in nine winning cases. Akram's 17.97 average, while excellent, came with fewer five-fers but included crucial ten-wickets in match performances. Once more, Anderson's higher average in matches won at this phase indicates his developmental phase.

The Verdict

Jasprit Bumrah emerges as the best bowler among these three after 46 Test matches in our comparison. His combination of wicket-taking ability, adaptability, and immediate impact is unmatched, even at the early stages of his career.

While Akram already showed signs of brilliance in the early stages of his career, Anderson was still trying to find his foot in the Test format. The mastery of Bumrah across all conditions makes him the clear winner after 46 Test matches.

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