Playing in away from home conditions poses an array of challenges for bowlers. The bowlers are more effective in home conditions, but the picture changes when touring a foreign country.
If the away conditions are not favourable to a particular bowler, they need to work around to pick up wickets. A handful of bowlers have shown excellence with the red ball by keeping their averages at respectful levels.
This article unveils the top 10 bowlers with the best bowling average away from home in Test cricket (minimum 200 wickets).
Best Bowling Average in Away from Home Tests
| Player | Innings | Runs Conceded | Wickets | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curtly Ambrose (WI) | 86 | 4199 | 202 | 20.78 |
| Glenn McGrath (AUS) | 112 | 5703 | 274 | 20.81 |
| Malcolm Marshall (WI) | 93 | 4726 | 219 | 21.57 |
| Richard Hadlee (NZ) | 75 | 4996 | 230 | 21.72 |
| Wasim Akram (PAK) | 111 | 6356 | 260 | 24.44 |
| Shane Warne (AUS) | 144 | 9575 | 389 | 24.61 |
| Courtney Walsh (WI) | 137 | 7260 | 290 | 25.03 |
| Waqar Younis (PAK) | 94 | 5500 | 211 | 26.06 |
| Muthiah Muralidaran (SL) | 96 | 8534 | 307 | 27.79 |
| Nathan Lyon (AUS) | 126 | 8612 | 294 | 29.29 |
This list includes only bowlers with over 200 away Test wickets.
Key Insights
Curtly Ambrose holds the best bowling average in away Test matches among bowlers with 200+ wickets. The West Indies speedster claimed 202 wickets at a remarkable average of 20.78 in 86 innings.
Shane Warne picked up the most wickets while playing away from home, with 389 of his 708 total wickets coming in overseas territories.
Of those 389 wickets, 129 were scalped in England—the most by a bowler at an opponent’s home.
Moreover, Warne has the best bowling average among spinners with 200+ away wickets, conceding an average of 24.61 runs before picking up a wicket.
India’s Anil Kumble conceded the most runs in away Test matches, giving away 9645 runs while scalping 269 wickets at an average of 35.85. His average is the highest among the top away wicket-takers. However, he has been one of India’s prime match-winners in away conditions during his days. Here is a fiery Kumble spell in 2003-04 Sydney Test match.
More than a dozen bowlers have an average of less than 30 in away Test matches.
