Left-arm spinners play a substantial role in helping the team take wickets when it mattered the most. They have often troubled right-handed batters by bowling at the right line and length.
The major variations of the left-arm spinners include the top spinner and the arm ball. Top spinner is a type of delivery where the ball turns less but it bounces higher or lower depending on how the left-arm spinner is bowling.
On the other hand, the arm ball is a type of bowling where the ball doesn’t turn at all but literally drifts into a right-handed batter in the course of the bowlers’ arm movement.
The cricket fraternity has witnessed successful left-arm spinners making a name for themselves in international cricket. In this article, let’s take a glimpse at the four left-arm spinners who have taken more than 500 wickets in international cricket.
4. Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja has been one of the key bowlers for India in international cricket. He is a regular feature in all three formats of the game wherein he has accounted for 501 dismissals in 298 international matches including 13 fifers and 2 ten-wicket hauls in 298 matches.
3. Rangana Herath
Rangana Herath was one of the pillars of Sri Lanka’s bowling unit in international cricket. The veteran has taken 525 wickets in the international circuit including 35 fifers and 9 ten-wicket hauls in 181 matches.
2. Shakib Al Hasan
Shakib Al Hasan is one of the most experienced all-rounders in the world. He has been the backbone of the Bangladesh cricket team for more than a decade. Shakib has taken 653 wickets in international cricket including 24 fifers and 2 ten-wicket hauls in 399 appearances in international cricket.
1. Daniel Vettori
Former New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori comes first on the list of most wickets taken by a left-arm spinner in the international circuit. Vettori has taken a record 705 wickets in 442 matches in international cricket including 22 fifers and 3 five-wicket hauls.
