Mitchell Starc vs Kagiso Rabada vs Jasprit Bumrah: Test Stats Comparison In England

Mitchell Starc, Kagiso Rabada, Jasprit Bumrah [Source: AP Photos | @HomeOfCricket/x.com]

South Africa and Australia are currently playing against each other at the iconic Lord's in the final of the WTC 2025. Besides being a competition between Australia and South Africa, this is a contest between two of the best pacers of  contemporary cricket, Mitchell Starc and Kagiso Rabada. 

As these two pacers are contesting against each other at the iconic Lord's there is a third wheel in this wagon, Jaspirt Bumrah. The ace Indian pacer will soon be touring England and hence at this juncture we take a look at the record of these three pacers in the English conditions. 

Starc vs Rabada vs Bumrah: Test Records

Analysis: When we compare the overall stats of the three bowlers, we can see in terms of efficiency there is a tough competition between the three. Mitchell Starc picks up a wicket nearly every eight overs while conceding about 28 runs. In case of Rabada, the numbers are a wicket every six and half overs while conceding 22 runs. 

For the Indian pacer, there is wicket every seven overs while conceding about 19 runs. So, in terms of deliveries, Rabada is ahead but Bumrah concedes less runs to pick up a wicket. Even though, Starc is a bit behind the other two in both cases, the performance he delivers in important matches and his overall brilliance, keeps him in the fight.

Starc vs Rabada vs Bumrah: In England

Now, coming to the prime topic of the article, comparing the stats of the three bowlers in English conditions. Let us first have a look at the numbers of the three bowlers in England - 

Analysis: When it comes to the numbers in England, it looks like Kagiso Rabada is way ahead of the other two. Mitchell Starc has played the most number of matches among the three in England. In the English conditions, Starc picks up a wicket every seven and half overs while conceding about 30 runs. 

When it comes to Jasprit Bumrah, he concedes about 26 runs and takes nearly nine and a half overs to strike once. In case of both number of deliveries for a wicket and runs conceded, Rabada's numbers are significantly better than both Starc and Bumrah. 

Kagiso Rabda emerges the winner in terms of pure number [Source: AP Photos]

Kagiso picks up a wicket in just 6.2 overs while conceding around 24 runs. His strike rate betters Starc by seven deliveries and Bumrah by about 20 deliveries. In case of runs conceded, the South African pace concedes about four runs less than Bumrah and six runs less than Starc.

So, when it comes to pure efficiency and striking ability, Rabada is way ahead of the other two bowlers in this comparison.

Starc vs Rabada vs Bumrah: Bowling Style Analysis

The key behind Rabada taking a sizeable lead over the other two can be understood in the respective bowling style of three pacers - 

Mitchell Starc

• The Australian pacer looks to bowl more full and look for swing. His prime weapon is the pace at which he is able to get late swing deceiving the batters.

Kagiso Rabada

• The South African pacer looks to bowl a length between the full and good length area. More than looking for swing Rabada depends more on consistency of line and length along with the occasional variations to deceive the batters. 

Jasprit Bumrah

• The Indian ace pacer has the most variations among these three bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah looks to deceive the batters with subtle changes of line and length.

Conclusion

The technical analysis of the three bowlers gives us the idea as to why Kagiso Rabada's bowling suits the English conditions. His ability to hit a consistent line and length continuously makes him the most lethal bowlers in these conditions. This fact is directly reflected in the numbers of the bowler in England. 

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