5 most successful bowlers for New Zealand across all 3 formats of the game

S Sam
1st Sunfoil International Test: South Africa v New Zealand - Day 1
The Black Caps are an exceptional team

It is well known that cricket is a batsman's game and bowlers have to toil hard to make the game as equal as they possibly can. In Test cricket, bowlers have the freedom to try out different things to get the batsmen out.

However, in limited overs cricket, it is a totally different set of skills that are required of the bowlers and that is precisely the reason, why it is often tough for most bowlers to be as effective in all the three formats of the game.

Over the course of their recent history, the New Zealand cricket team has produced its fair share of excellent all-format bowlers and many of the players have been the key to the success of the team.

Here is a look at 5 of the most successful bowlers in New Zealand's cricketing history, across the three formats of the game.


#5 Kyle Mills

New Zealand v West Indies - Game 1
Kyle Mills making an impact

The former New Zealand medium pace bowler played for the Black Caps in all the three formats of the game for around 14 years and although he suffered from injuries at the start of his career, Kyle Mills managed to have a fruitful career.

He played only 19 Test matches for New Zealand but in limited overs cricket, he was a mainstay for many years and played 170 ODIs, in addition to as many as 42 T20 international.

The right arm bowler was not known for his pace but he made up for it through his relentless accuracy and movement, both in the air and off the pitch.

In a total of 231 international games, Mills picked up a total of 327 wickets, making him the 5th most successful bowler among those who have played in all three formats. He recorded an average of 28.03 and an excellent strike rate of 36.7 across formats.

#4 Trent Boult

New Zealand v South Africa - 2nd ODI
Trent Boult is on his way to greatness

Trent Boult is the finest bowler to have been produced by New Zealand since Shane Bond and the left arm fast bowler is on track to end up as one of the most successful bowlers in the country's history.

His pace, accuracy, movement and intelligence has made him one of the world's leading bowlers. On the other hand, Boult is a superb bowler during the death overs in limited overs games and that has made him an outstanding all-format bowler.

He made his debut in 2011 and has only played 142 games so far across all formats, however, he has managed to pick 358 wickets so far to be fourth on the all-time list. His numbers are brilliant too.

Combining all the three formats, he has an average of 26.40 and strike rate of 43.4, while he has recorded an economy rate of 3.64. There is no doubt that he is well on his way to becoming one of New Zealand's most successful bowlers ever.

#3 Chris Cairns

Cricket - Australian Tour of New Zealand
Chris Cairns is a New Zealand legend

The former New Zealand all-rounder was one of the most important players in the side throughout the major part of the 1990s and the noughties.

Chris Cairns was a medium pace bowler, who played for the side in all formats of the game and was particularly well known for his swing, seam movement, variations and general discipline.

In limited overs cricket, he was a key performer for the team for more than a decade and in those days, he was one of the world's best exponents of the slower ball.

He played in 278 games for New Zealand across the three formats of the game, albeit he only played 2 T20 internationals towards the end of his career. He picked up 419 wickets in his international career at an average of 31.07 and economy rate of 3.92.

#2 Tim Southee

Australia v New Zealand - 1st Test: Day 1
Tim Southee has proved himself in all formats of the game

The right-arm medium fast bowler made his debut for New Zealand in 2008 and while he was primarily regarded as a limited overs bowler in his initial years, Tim Southee eventually became a key member of the Black Caps in all three formats of the game.

He can bowl at a good pace when he wants and in addition to that, he has the ability to swing the ball both ways, which makes him such a dangerous bowler to face for most batsmen. In limited overs cricket, his variations have become his calling card and other than the usual variations, he was one of the first exponents of the yorker outside off-stump.

Overall, he can switch between formats with ease and his fitness has made it possible for him to play for the Black Caps across all formats, without missing many games due to any kind of physical breakdown. He has played 241 games so far and has picked up 446 wickets, at an average of only 31.55 and an economy rate of 4.10, which is perhaps slightly on the higher side. Southee has a strike rate of 46.

#1 Daniel Vettori

England v New Zealand - 1st Test Day Four
Daniel Vettori truly is a legend

New Zealand's legendary left-arm off-spinner Daniel Vettori started playing for the country when he was still a teenager in 1997 and over the next 18 years, he became one of the most important constituents of their bowling attack.

He was an extremely crafty off-spinner, who hardly ever gave anything to the batsmen and in addition to that, he could vary the pace, change his length constantly and make the ball dip.

While he was excellent in Test cricket, Vettori was also a superb operator in limited overs cricket and could always be relied upon to deliver his quota of overs with the minimum of fuss.

As a result, it is not a surprise that he is the most successful Kiwi bowler across formats in the country's cricketing history. He played in 437 games across formats and picked up 696 wickets, at an average of 32.43 and economy rate of only 3.13. His record is all set to stand for a long time.

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Edited by Kishan Prasad