From pace to precision, these ‘Fab Four’ fast bowlers defining modern cricket — find out who makes the elite list.
In world cricket, the term ‘Fab Four’ refers to four modern-day greats — Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Kane Williamson, and Steve Smith. Each of them has redefined batting in their own way, with remarkable consistency and class. Be it Tests, ODIs, or T20Is, these stalwarts have repeatedly proved their mettle and carried their teams to emphatic victories. All four are the mainstays of their respective sides, and their records speak volumes about their skill, consistency, and impact on the game.
While the batters often steal the spotlight, the role of bowlers is just as vital. In Test cricket, their task is even more demanding — taking 20 wickets to win a match requires immense physical endurance and mental toughness. To mirror the brilliance of the batting ‘Fab Four,’ there exists a new quartet of bowlers who have showcased similar excellence with the ball.
Let’s turn our attention to the ‘Fab Four’ pacers of world cricket — those who have debuted after 2022 and already featured in 10 or more Tests. Remarkably, all four are around 26 years old and boast bowling averages under 30.
Shamar Joseph
Since the beginning of 2022, Shamar Joseph has been West Indies’ fourth leading wicket-taker in Tests. He has picked up 51 wickets in 21 innings at an average of 21.66. Joseph has maintained a fine strike rate of 34.1 with the best bowling figures of 7/68 in an innings. In 11 fixtures, the Guayana-born has bagged four five-wicket hauls.
Across the three formats, the right-arm pacer has collected 70 wickets in 39 innings since January 2022. He has an average of 25.07 and a strike rate under 32. The youngster has shown his incredible skill of bowling fast and in the channel of uncertainty, posing challenges for batters facing him.
During the Brisbane Test in January 2024, the 26-year-old picked up seven wickets for 68 runs in 11.5 overs with a broken toe. His figures helped West Indies secure a narrow eight-run victory against Australia. After the potential retirement of Kemar Roach in the near future, Joseph will need to shoulder the responsibility of the Caribbean side’s pace unit along with Jayden Seales and Alzarri Joseph.
Read More: Shamar Joseph continues to hold a spell on Australia’s batting line up
William O’Rourke
Since the start of 2022, William O’Rourke has been New Zealand’s fourth-highest wicket-taker in Tests. The lanky pacer has picked up 39 wickets in 20 innings at an average of 24.28. His strike rate of 40 is also impressive, along with his two five-wicket hauls.
New Zealand saw the long-serving Tim Southee retire from international cricket last year. Matt Henry, the current pace bowling leader for the Kiwis, is already 33. That’s where O’Rourke will have a huge role to play. Since January 2022, the 24-year-old fast bowler has recorded 68 international wickets at an average of 28.42.
O’Rourke can use his height to extract bounce off the surface. With his pace, the short ball becomes a test for batters. He used the same strength to collect seven wickets during their eight-wicket victory against India in the 2024 Bengaluru Test at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Marco Jansen
Marco Jansen played a key role with the ball in the first innings of the WTC 2023-25 final against Australia at Lord’s. Since the beginning of 2022, the left-arm pacer is South Africa’s third-highest wicket-taker with 72 scalps. He achieved the feat in 30 innings at an average of under 22. His strike rate of 38, along with three five-wicket hauls and one ten-wicket haul, is equally fabulous.
The tall pacer creates tough angles for right-handed batters with his swing and seam movement. His hard lengths are never easy to score against. Even in international cricket since January 2022, the 25-year-old picked up the third most wickets for the Rainbow Nation. Jansen got 135 wickets across formats in 78 innings at an average of 26.80 and a strike rate of 33.60.
He is South Africa’s future in the longest format, especially if he stays fit. His new ball bowling partnership with Kagiso Rabada always pushes the opponents on the back foot.
Read More: Siraj becomes leading wicket-taker in Tests in 2025; What has made him a stand out performer?
Matthew Potts
Matthew Potts has picked up 36 Test wickets in 19 innings at an average of nearly 30. His strike rate of 56.6 with the best bowling figures of 4/13 in an innings doesn’t portray the skill he carries. Potts has pace and can hurry the batters on the back foot along with a strong three-quarter seaming delivery. He could have easily featured in the five-match home series against India this summer had injury not troubled him.
England have tried various options under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. This is also a reason behind Potts featuring in the national side inconsistently. Their team selection relies a lot on various conditions.
They are without their two most reliable bowlers, James Anderson and Stuart Broad. Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are injury-prone. That’s where Potts will always have a huge role to play.
The Durham pacer’s last Test came in December 2024 against New Zealand at Seddon Park, Hamilton. He picked up four crucial wickets in the first innings, including the two top-order batters, Tom Latham and Kane Williamson.
These ‘Fab Four’ pacers are expected to lead their countries’ bowling attacks over the next five years. With their blend of hostility and skill, they have already made a strong impression on the world stage. Each possesses the ability to trouble batters in unique ways; it’s now about maintaining consistency and continuing to exploit batters’ weaknesses with precision.
Read More: Who will replace the ‘irreplaceable’ James Anderson in England’s Test set up?
