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) | 116 | 8054 | 271 | 29.71 |
Key Insights
20.78: Curtly Ambrose has the best bowling average in away from home Tests among the bowlers with 200+ wickets. The West Indies speedster grabbed 202 wickets at an average of 20.78 in 86 innings.
389: Shane Warne picked up the most wickets while playing away from home in Tests. 389 of his total 708 wickets came in overseas territories, with 129 scalped in England — the most by a bowler at an opponent’s home.
24.61: Moreover, Warne has the best bowling average among the spinners with 200+ wickets. The Australian spin wizard conceded an average of 24.61 runs before picking up a wicket.
9645: India’s Anil Kumble conceded the most runs in away from home Test matches. He gave away 9645 runs in 121 innings while scalping 269 wickets at an average of 35.85 — the worst bowling average in overseas conditions.
11: Over 11 bowlers have an average of less than 30 in away from home matches in Test cricket.
