Top 5 wicket-takers in international cricket this decade

2010-19 was one eventful decade that saw three ODI World Cups, four World T20s, and the introduction of the maiden World Test Championship. Like every other decade, there were various changes in the way the game is played in this one as well. The gap between the bat and the ball increased, albeit in different directions in white-ball and red-ball cricket. While limited-overs cricket became increasingly high-scoring and the economy rate of bowlers grew higher and higher, the bowling average improved a lot in Test cricket. In fact, 2017 and 2019 were two of the top three years having the best bowling average in the last 30 years.

With this magnificent decade of cricket coming to an end, we look at the top five wicket-takers in international cricket in this decade:

#5 Trent Boult (458 wickets)

The Kiwi left-arm pacer, who first wore the whites for his country in 2011, has been his team's strike bowler in both Test and limited-overs cricket for the majority of this decade. Starting as a regular in the Test side, Boult was not as consistent in limited-overs cricket. However, he finished as the second-highest wicket-taker in the 2015 World Cup and has never looked back since. Boult's rise in ODI cricket is evident from the fact that he was the highest wicket-taker in one-day cricket between the 2015 and 2019 World Cups.

Currently New Zealand's spearhead in all formats, Boult finishes as the fifth-highest wicket-taker this decade with 458 wickets.

#4 Tim Southee (472 wickets)

Southee has developed into a fine old ball bowler with increased variations and reverse swing

Tim Southee bowling his famous outswinger has been a familiar sight in New Zealand cricket this decade. Starting as a premier new ball bowler, Southee has vastly improved his skills with the old ball as well, thanks to pace variations and reverse swing. Playing a major role in New Zealand's semifinal finish in the 2011 World Cup, his menacing spells yet again helped his side as they reached the finals in the 2015 edition. Despite being a regular in Tests, his white-ball form has gone down a bit (due to which he wasn't a regular in the Kiwi side for this year's World Cup).

An important part of the current Kiwi trio of pacers in Tests, Tim Southee stands fourth in the list of the highest wicket-takers for this decade with 472 scalps to his name.

#3 Stuart Broad (525 wickets)

With 471 Test wickets, Broad is England's second-highest wicket-taker in Tests

Remembered by many for conceding six sixes in an over to a marauding Yuvraj Singh, Stuart Broad has been instrumental in the English team's rise in red-ball cricket in the first half of the decade. Despite his side's dip in Test form in the latter part of the decade, Broad has been consistent with the ball throughout the ten years. With 471 wickets to his name, he is England's second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket. However, his white-ball form has not been great of late. Having captained England in the 2012 and 2014 World T20, which was also his last T20 appearance for his country, Broad last played an ODI in 2016.

With 525 wickets this decade, he finishes as the third-highest wicket-taker in international cricket.

#2 James Anderson (535 wickets)

Seasoned campaigner James Anderson stands second in the list of wicket-takers in Tests

James Anderson, the highest wicket-taker in the world among pacers in Test cricket, has been England's Test bowling mainstay for close to 15 years now. Not in the scheme of things in T20Is this decade, Anderson's ODI form also declined and he was finally dropped after the 2015 World Cup. But his impeccable form in red-ball cricket made him an indispensable part of the English Test team. Anderson became only the second English cricketer to play 150 Tests (after Alastair Cook) and the master of swing continues to be on song despite age catching up with him.

With 535 wickets, James Anderson is the second-highest wicket-taker this decade.

#1 Ravichandran Ashwin (564 wickets)

Ravichandran Ashwin is the highest wicket-taker in international cricket this decade

Rising through the ranks and getting recognition through the IPL, R Ashwin made his limited-overs debut in 2010 and red-ball debut in 2011. Since then he has been a vital contributor to India's envious home record in Tests. Ashwin became the fastest to 300 and 350 Test wickets during this period that saw him going from strength to strength, running through oppositions at ease. His overseas record is still questioned by many but at home, Ashwin still stands as India's first-choice spinner.

Barring the past one or two years when Indian pacers have taken the bulk of wickets even at home, Ashwin, along with Jadeja, formed a nightmarish partnership for the opposition batsmen.

In limited overs, he continued to be in the scheme of things till the 2017 Champions Trophy, post which the management decided to look past him.

R Ashwin, with 564 wickets, stands atop of the list of wicket-takers in international cricket this decade.