The year 2023 is going to be huge for the fans of international cricket for multiple reasons. The three-headed structure of the sport has tightened the schedules, with the cricket boards starting to think of managing different teams for different formats. Few teams have already done that.
The fact that the WTC finals and the ODI World Cup are being held this year proves how important this year will be for bowlers. The traditional formats provide the most important balance between the bat and the ball, which is slightly narrowed by the domestic T20s and T10 tournaments.
This article will focus on the top ten bowlers who are the leading wicket-takers in 2023 in all three formats together.
Most Wickets in 2023 in All Formats
| BOWLER | WICKETS | INNINGS | BEST BOWLING | BOWLING AVERAGE | 5-FOR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ravindra Jadeja (IND) | 66 | 39 | 7/42 | 23.74 | 3 |
| Mitchell Starc (AUS) | 63 | 30 | 5/53 | 29.77 | 2 |
| Kuldeep Yadav (IND) | 63 | 38 | 5/17 | 18.85 | 2 |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi (PAK) | 62 | 34 | 5/54 | 27.80 | 1 |
| Mohammed Siraj (IND) | 60 | 37 | 6/21 | 23.78 | 2 |
| Mark Adair (IRE) | 59 | 41 | 4/13 | 26.83 | 0 |
| Pat Cummins (AUS) | 59 | 32 | 6/91 | 30.05 | 3 |
| Mohammed Shami (IND) | 56 | 27 | 7/57 | 20.05 | 4 |
| Sandeep Lamichhane (NEP) | 56 | 29 | 5/25 | 19.87 | 1 |
| Alpesh Ramjani (UGA) | 55 | 30 | 4/9 | 8.98 | 0 |
Key Stats
The spinners from the Border Gavaskar Trophy in India have started the year well, thereby topping the chart in the first two months. With the focus slowly shifting to other formats in the mid and later part of the year, Ravindra Jadeja, who is expected to play in all three formats, might keep the top position in the coming days. You will also see the internal battle for wickets between Jadeja and Ashwin getting intensified this year with India traveling West Indies, England (probably for WTC Finals), and South Africa for Tests.
Nathan Lyon of Australia is now the second highest-wicket taker against India in Tests. With the Ashes scheduled for this year, he will also look to reduce the difference between him and another Aussie spinner, the legendary Shane Warne, who leads the wicket chart against England in Tests.
Lyon’s spell of 8/64 against India in the third BGT Test series is also the performance any bowler would want to target this year.
Other bowlers to be watched closely are a few all-format bowlers like Tim Southee, Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada, and the last year’s leading wicket-taker, Alzarri Joseph.
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