It is safe to say that bowlers in 2021 had a good year. Test cricket in England helped seamers showcase their abilities, while the games in the Subcontinent assisted the spinners in proving their worth. The game’s shortest format saw a World Cup played, allowing bowlers to withstand the ultimate test of limited-over cricket. Few came through and will be looking to continue their successful run of form in 2022.
Following is a list of bowlers to watch in 2022.
Also Read – Top 7 international male batters to look out for in 2022
Jasprit Bumrah
The Indian pacer has probably been one of the most consistent players over the last few years. Given his ability, there is no doubting the fact that Bumrah will be one of the most-watched players in 2022. His ability to play all formats of the game and excel in each of them makes him a formidable pick for this list.
Although Bumrah’s Test performances hit the mark in 2021, Team India crashed out of the T20I World Cup with not the best performances from their fast bowlers. Bumrah will be looking to rectify that in the upcoming T20I World Cup in 2022.
Ollie Robinson
England have had a hard time playing the longest format of the game. The rotation policy, an ageing Jimmy Anderson, and injuries to key bowlers like Jofra Archer have given the English selectors a real headache. Ollie Robinson, however, has been a ray of sunshine in all that has gone on for English Test cricket in 2021.
Robinson enjoyed some success against India in the summer and is currently having a decent Ashes series. He is currently the joint-top wicket-taker for England. The English will be looking to Robinson for the Test cricket coming up for them in 2022 as well.
Varun Chakravarthy
The latest notable mystery spinner, Varun Chakravarthy, is next on the list. Chakravarthy was picked for the T20I World Cup in 2021 after some stellar performances with the ball for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2021 IPL. His ability to bowl both in the Powerplay and the middle overs makes him a suitable option for the national side in T20I cricket.
If India are to right the wrongs of the 2021 T20I World Cup in the upcoming 2022 T20I World Cup, they will require all they can get out of Varun Chakravarthy to ensure a successful tournament this time round.
Also Read – Top 7 Indian male cricketers to watch out for in 2022
Shaheen Afridi
Pakistan have always been known for their ability to rack up quality seamers. Shaheen Shah Afridi is yet another who bowls at pace and swings the ball. His performance in the last T20I World Cup was a global announcement of the potential that he carries. Afridi forms a significant component of the Pakistan white-ball set-up and contributes largely to red-ball cricket as well.
Afridi stands as one of the most important players for Pakistan at the age of 21. Before making claims of a long and illustrious career for the youngster, many will be looking for Afridi to prove himself in 2022 across all formats.
Lasith Embuldeniya
The young Sri Lankan left-arm orthodox bowler had a good enough 2021 for more significant things to be expected of him in 2022. Although Embuldeniya performed splendidly in Test series against the West Indies and England in 2021, it must be noted that these performances came at home. Many will be looking forward to watching what the spinner can produce in tours away from his home country.
For Lasith, 2022 has in store a tour to India, which he will relish given that the conditions will still favour the spinner. However, the stellar batting lineup that will face the Sri Lankans is sure to be a worthy test of Embuldeniya’s abilities.
Kyle Jamieson
Next on the list is Kiwi seamer Kyle Jamieson. He is yet another who may potentially feature in all three formats for New Zealand in 2022. Although Jamieson is not the complete package in T20 cricket, he has proven to be more than capable of moving the red ball around and nicking off batters.
Jamieson had a successful time in England, ensuring that his side won the ICC Test Championship final. He will be looking to continue his form into the home series against Bangladesh this month.
Pat Cummins
The final bowler on the list is Pat Cummins. The current Australian senior national team’s Test captain will be watched in 2022, and many will be curious about how he will lead the side and manage his bowling workload. By no means did Cummins have a lean 2021; he featured in both red-ball and white-ball cricket for Australia.
Although Cummins has had somewhat of a decent run in white-ball cricket for Australia, viewers will be keen to notice whether Cummins can keep his form going in red-ball cricket whilst handling the pressure of captaining the Australian side.
Leave a Reply