2015 has been yet another eventful year of Test cricket. While many yesteryear top performers hung up their boots this year, we have witnessed the metamorphosis of many talented players to do their best. The same can be considered for the bowlers, as we have witnessed some talented players making their mark in the longest format of the game. The batsmen hogged most of the spotlight in all the major events of the year from Australia&#8217;s World Cup win to the day-night Test while the more often than not, the victories were possible only because of the tireless efforts from the bowlers of the respective teams. Here we take a look at the best of the best this year the top 5 Test bowlers of 2015.

<strong>1. Ravichandran Ashwin (India):</strong>

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/11/Ravichandran-Ashwin-India-v-South-Africa-1st-Test-Day-2.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-39729"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-39729" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Ravichandran-Ashwin-India-v-South-Africa-1st-Test-Day-2.jpg" alt="Ravichandran Ashwin" width="650" height="436" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-39729" class="wp-caption-text">(Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption>

A bowler who has thrived in the sub-continent conditions, Ashwin added another feather to his ever-growing cap with successive man-of-the-series performances over Sri Lanka and South Africa. On the way, he has picked up an astonishing tally of 62 wickets in 9 Test matches, and ended the year as the highest wicket taker in the longer formats and also the number 1 ranked Test bowler.

Once touted to fail in the international level due to his once unorthodox techniques, he has incorporated traditional off-spinners in addition to his own variations in his armory. And the end result firmly establishes him as one of the world’s best spinners, wherein he bamboozled the opposition batsmen, who were unable to read him consistently well. Conditions notwithstanding, Ashwin’s performances puts him at the top of the ladder as the best Test bowler this year.

<strong>2. </strong><strong>Stuart Broad (England):</strong>

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/08/Stuart-Broad-Ashes-2015-Trent-Bridge.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-27379"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-27379" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Stuart-Broad-Ashes-2015-Trent-Bridge.jpg" alt="Stuart Broad" width="594" height="473" sizes="(max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-27379" class="wp-caption-text">Stuart Broad. (© Getty Images)</figcaption>

At just 29 years, he has firmly written himself in the record books as one of the English bowling greats. And his performances this year, especially during England’s thumping Ashes victory, is an indication of his caliber and how well he gels with Anderson to make a lethal bowling pair. Stuart Broad has picked up an impressive tally of 51 wickets in 13 Test matches this year, with the highlight being a morale-crushing 8/15 spell which destroyed the Australian batting order. He was equally good in UAE, wherein his stingy bowling was extremely hard to play against. His consistent performances over the year have put him ahead of his new-ball partner for being England’s best performer this year.

<strong>3. Josh Hazlewood (Australia):</strong>

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/07/Josh-Hazlewood-Moeen-Ali-Australia-v-England-Ashes-2015.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-24806"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-24806" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Josh-Hazlewood-Moeen-Ali-Australia-v-England-Ashes-2015.jpg" alt="Josh Hazlewood Australia" width="594" height="403" sizes="(max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-24806" class="wp-caption-text">Josh Hazlewood. (© Getty Images)</figcaption>

Amidst the pace-philia of the Australian selectors, medium pacer Josh Hazlewood has firmly established his place within the Australian playing XI thanks to a string of consistent performances. The Australian might not be the most exciting player to watch, but he makes the ball do all the talking. With 51 wickets in 12 Test matches, Hazlewood ended the year as the third highest wicket-taker in Tests this year. The bowler, who slowly crept into the team during Australia’s disastrous Ashes campaign down in England, was handled the new ball during the series against New Zealand. He justified his promotion with a “man of the series” performance, wherein he picked up 13 wickets, including a 9-wicket haul in the first ever day-night Test match. A pacer on the mold of Glenn McGrath has impressed one and all with his consistency, and he is here to stay for a long time.

<strong>4. Yasir Shah (Pakistan):</strong>

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/12/Pakistans-Yasir-Shah-delivers-a-ball-GettyImages-495744730.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-47707"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-47707" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Pakistans-Yasir-Shah-delivers-a-ball-GettyImages-495744730.jpg" alt="Yasir Shah" width="650" height="418" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-47707" class="wp-caption-text">Pakistan&#8217;s Yasir Shah. (Photo by MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption>

A late-bloomer of sorts, Yasir Shah rejuvenated the art of leg-spin with some excellent performances in the sub-continent over the past year. He has ably fulfilled the role of the team’s lead spinner following the decline of Saeed Ajmal and has been instrumental in Pakistan’s series victories over Sri Lanka and England. With an incredible record of 49 wickets in just 7 Test matches, he has impressed many over his exploits, including Shane Warne. Having picked up 76 wickets in his 12-matche career, Yasir is well on course to break a lot of “fastest-ever” records.

<strong>5. </strong><strong>Mitchell Starc (Australia):</strong>

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/11/Mitchell-Starc-of-Australia-bowls-GettyImages-497199288.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-41048"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-41048" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mitchell-Starc-of-Australia-bowls-GettyImages-497199288.jpg" alt="Mitchell Starc" width="650" height="433" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-41048" class="wp-caption-text">Mitchell Starc. (© Cricket Australia/Getty Images)</figcaption>

While the Australian speedster is the best, limited overs bowler of the year by a large margin, he couldn’t replicate his magic that well in the longer format. But even a modest year in Test cricket by his standards was good enough to earn him a place as one of the best bowlers. Earning a tally of 46 wickets in 11 Test matches is quite an impressive feat, especially considering that it has come at an impressive strike rate 44.7. Though he had a mixed Ashes, cemented his place in the playing XI due to his ability to move the ball at quite a high pace. He has been widely considered as a replacement for Johnson in the team, and the baton was truly passed when he broke the 160 kmph barrier during the series versus New Zealand. Though a stress fracture in the ankle came back to haunt him, he will be eager to get back into the groove as early as possible.

<strong>6. Dhammika Prasad (Sri Lanka):</strong>

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/12/Sri-Lankan-cricketer-Dhammika-Prasad-GettyImages-493843364.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-47706"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-47706" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Sri-Lankan-cricketer-Dhammika-Prasad-GettyImages-493843364.jpg" alt="Dhammika Prasad" width="650" height="418" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-47706" class="wp-caption-text">Sri Lankan cricketer Dhammika Prasad. (Photo by Ishara S.KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption>

Perhaps the surprise entry into the list, Dhammika Prasad has been an unsung hero for the Sri Lankans over the past year. Though they did lose consecutive home series to Pakistan and India, his performances have been steady. His figures of 41 wickets over the past year in 9 Tests may not seem much, but considering that he has played 8 of those in Sri Lanka, the figures make it noteworthy for a pacer. Prasad might not have been the match-winner in the same ranks of Herath, but his exploits with the new ball cannot be undermined. His strike rate of 44.3 makes him only second to Hazlewood amongst the pacers who have taken at least 20 wickets this year. He could have been the difference for the Lankans in the on-going tour of New Zealand.

<em><strong>*Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are the personal views and opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of CricTracker and CT does not assume any implied responsibility or liability for the same.</strong></em>

<strong>(Also read:<a href="http://www.crictracker.com/top-10-highest-partnerships-in-tests-in-2015/" target="_blank">Top 10 Highest partnerships in Tests in 2015</a>)</strong>

<p>2015 has been yet another eventful year of Test cricket. While many yesteryear top performers hung up their boots this year, we have witnessed the metamorphosis of many talented players to&nbsp;do&nbsp;their best. The same can be considered for the bowlers, as we have witnessed some talented players making their mark in the longest format of the game. The batsmen hogged most of the spotlight in all the major events of the year from Australia’s World Cup win to the day-night Test while the more often than not, the victories were possible only because of the tireless efforts from the bowlers of the respective teams. Here we take a look at the best of the best this year the top 5 Test bowlers of 2015.</p>
<h4><strong>1. Ravichandran Ashwin (India):</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_39729" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-39729" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/11/Ravichandran-Ashwin-India-v-South-Africa-1st-Test-Day-2.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-39729"><amp-img class="wp-image-39729" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Ravichandran-Ashwin-India-v-South-Africa-1st-Test-Day-2.jpg" alt="Ravichandran Ashwin" width="650" height="436" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-39729" class="wp-caption-text">(Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
<p>A bowler who has thrived in the sub-continent conditions, Ashwin added another feather to his ever-growing cap with successive man-of-the-series performances over Sri Lanka and South Africa. On the way, he has picked up an astonishing tally of 62 wickets in 9 Test matches, and ended the year as the highest wicket taker in the longer formats and also the number 1 ranked Test bowler.</p>
<p>Once touted to fail in the international level due to his once unorthodox techniques, he has incorporated traditional off-spinners in addition to his own variations in his armory. And the end result firmly establishes him as one of the world’s best spinners, wherein he bamboozled the opposition batsmen, who were unable to read him consistently well. Conditions notwithstanding, Ashwin’s performances puts him at the top of the ladder as the best Test bowler this year.</p>
<h4><strong>2.&nbsp;</strong><strong>Stuart Broad (England):</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_27379" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-27379" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/08/Stuart-Broad-Ashes-2015-Trent-Bridge.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-27379"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-27379" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Stuart-Broad-Ashes-2015-Trent-Bridge.jpg" alt="Stuart Broad" width="594" height="473" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-27379" class="wp-caption-text">Stuart Broad. (© Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>At just 29 years, he has firmly written himself in the record books as one of the English bowling greats. And his performances this year, especially during England’s thumping Ashes victory, is an indication of his caliber and how well he gels with Anderson to make a lethal bowling pair. Stuart Broad has picked up an impressive tally of 51 wickets in 13 Test matches this year, with the highlight being a morale-crushing 8/15 spell which destroyed the Australian batting order. He was equally good in UAE, wherein his stingy bowling was extremely hard to play against. His consistent performances over the year have put him ahead of his new-ball partner for being England’s best performer this year.</p>
<h4><strong>3. Josh Hazlewood (Australia):</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_24806" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-24806" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/07/Josh-Hazlewood-Moeen-Ali-Australia-v-England-Ashes-2015.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-24806"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-24806" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Josh-Hazlewood-Moeen-Ali-Australia-v-England-Ashes-2015.jpg" alt="Josh Hazlewood Australia" width="594" height="403" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-24806" class="wp-caption-text">Josh Hazlewood. (© Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Amidst the pace-philia of the Australian selectors, medium pacer Josh Hazlewood has firmly established his place within the Australian playing XI thanks to a string of consistent performances. The Australian might not be the most exciting player to watch, but he makes the ball do all the talking. With 51 wickets in 12 Test matches, Hazlewood ended the year as the third highest wicket-taker in Tests this year. The bowler, who slowly crept into the team during Australia’s disastrous Ashes campaign down in England, was handled the new ball during the series against New Zealand. He justified his promotion with a “man of the series” performance, wherein he picked up 13 wickets, including a 9-wicket haul in the first ever day-night Test match. A pacer on the mold of Glenn McGrath has impressed one and all with his consistency, and he is here to stay for a long time.</p>
<h4><strong>4. Yasir Shah (Pakistan):</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_47707" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-47707" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/12/Pakistans-Yasir-Shah-delivers-a-ball-GettyImages-495744730.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-47707"><amp-img class="wp-image-47707" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Pakistans-Yasir-Shah-delivers-a-ball-GettyImages-495744730.jpg" alt="Yasir Shah" width="650" height="418" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-47707" class="wp-caption-text">Pakistan’s Yasir Shah. (Photo by MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>A late-bloomer of sorts, Yasir Shah rejuvenated the art of leg-spin with some excellent performances in the sub-continent over the past year. He has ably fulfilled the role of the team’s lead spinner following the decline of Saeed Ajmal&nbsp;and has been instrumental in Pakistan’s series victories over Sri Lanka and England. With an incredible record of 49 wickets in just 7 Test matches, he has impressed many over his exploits, including Shane Warne. Having picked up 76 wickets in his 12-matche career, Yasir is well on course to break a lot of “fastest-ever” records.</p>
<h4><strong>5.&nbsp;</strong><strong>Mitchell Starc (Australia):</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_41048" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-41048" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/11/Mitchell-Starc-of-Australia-bowls-GettyImages-497199288.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-41048"><amp-img class="wp-image-41048" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mitchell-Starc-of-Australia-bowls-GettyImages-497199288.jpg" alt="Mitchell Starc" width="650" height="433" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-41048" class="wp-caption-text">Mitchell Starc. (© Cricket Australia/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>While the Australian speedster is the best, limited overs bowler of the year by a large margin, he couldn’t replicate his magic that well in the longer format. But even a modest year in Test cricket by his standards was good enough to earn him a place as one of the best bowlers. Earning a tally of 46 wickets in 11 Test matches is quite an impressive feat, especially considering that it has come at an impressive strike rate 44.7. Though he had a mixed Ashes, cemented his place in the playing XI due to his ability to move the ball at quite a high pace. He has been widely considered as a replacement for Johnson in the team, and the baton was truly passed when he broke the 160 kmph barrier during the series versus New Zealand. Though a stress fracture in the ankle came back to haunt him, he will be eager to get back into the groove as early as possible.</p>
<h4><strong>6. Dhammika Prasad (Sri Lanka):</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_47706" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-47706" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/12/Sri-Lankan-cricketer-Dhammika-Prasad-GettyImages-493843364.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-47706"><amp-img class="wp-image-47706" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Sri-Lankan-cricketer-Dhammika-Prasad-GettyImages-493843364.jpg" alt="Dhammika Prasad" width="650" height="418" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-47706" class="wp-caption-text">Sri Lankan cricketer Dhammika Prasad. (Photo by Ishara S.KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Perhaps the surprise entry into the list, Dhammika Prasad has been an unsung hero for the Sri Lankans over the past year. Though they did lose consecutive home series to Pakistan and India, his performances have been steady. His figures of 41 wickets over the past year in 9 Tests may not seem much, but considering that he has played 8 of those in Sri Lanka, the figures make it noteworthy for a pacer. Prasad might not have been the match-winner in the same ranks of Herath, but his exploits with the new ball cannot be undermined. His strike rate of 44.3 makes him only second to Hazlewood amongst the pacers who have taken at least 20 wickets this year. He could have been the difference for the Lankans in the on-going tour of New Zealand.</p>
<p><em><strong>*Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are the personal views and opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of CricTracker and CT does not assume any implied responsibility or liability for the same.</strong></em></p>
<h5><strong>(Also read:<a href="http://www.crictracker.com/top-10-highest-partnerships-in-tests-in-2015/" target="_blank">Top 10 Highest partnerships in Tests in 2015</a>)</strong></h5>

<p>2015 has been yet another eventful year of Test cricket. While many yesteryear top performers hung up their boots this year, we have witnessed the metamorphosis of many talented players to do their best. The same can be considered for the bowlers, as we have witnessed some talented players making their mark in the longest format of the game. The batsmen hogged most of the spotlight in all the major events of the year from Australia&#8217;s World Cup win to the day-night Test while the more often than not, the victories were possible only because of the tireless efforts from the bowlers of the respective teams. Here we take a look at the best of the best this year the top 5 Test bowlers of 2015.</p>
<h4><strong>1. Ravichandran Ashwin (India):</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_39729" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-39729" style="width: 650px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/11/Ravichandran-Ashwin-India-v-South-Africa-1st-Test-Day-2.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-39729"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-39729" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Ravichandran-Ashwin-India-v-South-Africa-1st-Test-Day-2.jpg" alt="Ravichandran Ashwin" width="650" height="436" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-39729" class="wp-caption-text">(Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
<p>A bowler who has thrived in the sub-continent conditions, Ashwin added another feather to his ever-growing cap with successive man-of-the-series performances over Sri Lanka and South Africa. On the way, he has picked up an astonishing tally of 62 wickets in 9 Test matches, and ended the year as the highest wicket taker in the longer formats and also the number 1 ranked Test bowler.</p>
<p>Once touted to fail in the international level due to his once unorthodox techniques, he has incorporated traditional off-spinners in addition to his own variations in his armory. And the end result firmly establishes him as one of the world’s best spinners, wherein he bamboozled the opposition batsmen, who were unable to read him consistently well. Conditions notwithstanding, Ashwin’s performances puts him at the top of the ladder as the best Test bowler this year.</p>
<h4><strong>2. </strong><strong>Stuart Broad (England):</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_27379" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-27379" style="width: 594px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/08/Stuart-Broad-Ashes-2015-Trent-Bridge.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-27379"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-27379" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Stuart-Broad-Ashes-2015-Trent-Bridge.jpg" alt="Stuart Broad" width="594" height="473" sizes="(max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-27379" class="wp-caption-text">Stuart Broad. (© Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>At just 29 years, he has firmly written himself in the record books as one of the English bowling greats. And his performances this year, especially during England’s thumping Ashes victory, is an indication of his caliber and how well he gels with Anderson to make a lethal bowling pair. Stuart Broad has picked up an impressive tally of 51 wickets in 13 Test matches this year, with the highlight being a morale-crushing 8/15 spell which destroyed the Australian batting order. He was equally good in UAE, wherein his stingy bowling was extremely hard to play against. His consistent performances over the year have put him ahead of his new-ball partner for being England’s best performer this year.</p>
<h4><strong>3. Josh Hazlewood (Australia):</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_24806" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-24806" style="width: 594px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/07/Josh-Hazlewood-Moeen-Ali-Australia-v-England-Ashes-2015.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-24806"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-24806" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Josh-Hazlewood-Moeen-Ali-Australia-v-England-Ashes-2015.jpg" alt="Josh Hazlewood Australia" width="594" height="403" sizes="(max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-24806" class="wp-caption-text">Josh Hazlewood. (© Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Amidst the pace-philia of the Australian selectors, medium pacer Josh Hazlewood has firmly established his place within the Australian playing XI thanks to a string of consistent performances. The Australian might not be the most exciting player to watch, but he makes the ball do all the talking. With 51 wickets in 12 Test matches, Hazlewood ended the year as the third highest wicket-taker in Tests this year. The bowler, who slowly crept into the team during Australia’s disastrous Ashes campaign down in England, was handled the new ball during the series against New Zealand. He justified his promotion with a “man of the series” performance, wherein he picked up 13 wickets, including a 9-wicket haul in the first ever day-night Test match. A pacer on the mold of Glenn McGrath has impressed one and all with his consistency, and he is here to stay for a long time.</p>
<h4><strong>4. Yasir Shah (Pakistan):</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_47707" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-47707" style="width: 650px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/12/Pakistans-Yasir-Shah-delivers-a-ball-GettyImages-495744730.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-47707"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-47707" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Pakistans-Yasir-Shah-delivers-a-ball-GettyImages-495744730.jpg" alt="Yasir Shah" width="650" height="418" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-47707" class="wp-caption-text">Pakistan&#8217;s Yasir Shah. (Photo by MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>A late-bloomer of sorts, Yasir Shah rejuvenated the art of leg-spin with some excellent performances in the sub-continent over the past year. He has ably fulfilled the role of the team’s lead spinner following the decline of Saeed Ajmal and has been instrumental in Pakistan’s series victories over Sri Lanka and England. With an incredible record of 49 wickets in just 7 Test matches, he has impressed many over his exploits, including Shane Warne. Having picked up 76 wickets in his 12-matche career, Yasir is well on course to break a lot of “fastest-ever” records.</p>
<h4><strong>5. </strong><strong>Mitchell Starc (Australia):</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_41048" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-41048" style="width: 650px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/11/Mitchell-Starc-of-Australia-bowls-GettyImages-497199288.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-41048"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-41048" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mitchell-Starc-of-Australia-bowls-GettyImages-497199288.jpg" alt="Mitchell Starc" width="650" height="433" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-41048" class="wp-caption-text">Mitchell Starc. (© Cricket Australia/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>While the Australian speedster is the best, limited overs bowler of the year by a large margin, he couldn’t replicate his magic that well in the longer format. But even a modest year in Test cricket by his standards was good enough to earn him a place as one of the best bowlers. Earning a tally of 46 wickets in 11 Test matches is quite an impressive feat, especially considering that it has come at an impressive strike rate 44.7. Though he had a mixed Ashes, cemented his place in the playing XI due to his ability to move the ball at quite a high pace. He has been widely considered as a replacement for Johnson in the team, and the baton was truly passed when he broke the 160 kmph barrier during the series versus New Zealand. Though a stress fracture in the ankle came back to haunt him, he will be eager to get back into the groove as early as possible.</p>
<h4><strong>6. Dhammika Prasad (Sri Lanka):</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_47706" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-47706" style="width: 650px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/12/Sri-Lankan-cricketer-Dhammika-Prasad-GettyImages-493843364.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-47706"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-47706" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Sri-Lankan-cricketer-Dhammika-Prasad-GettyImages-493843364.jpg" alt="Dhammika Prasad" width="650" height="418" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-47706" class="wp-caption-text">Sri Lankan cricketer Dhammika Prasad. (Photo by Ishara S.KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Perhaps the surprise entry into the list, Dhammika Prasad has been an unsung hero for the Sri Lankans over the past year. Though they did lose consecutive home series to Pakistan and India, his performances have been steady. His figures of 41 wickets over the past year in 9 Tests may not seem much, but considering that he has played 8 of those in Sri Lanka, the figures make it noteworthy for a pacer. Prasad might not have been the match-winner in the same ranks of Herath, but his exploits with the new ball cannot be undermined. His strike rate of 44.3 makes him only second to Hazlewood amongst the pacers who have taken at least 20 wickets this year. He could have been the difference for the Lankans in the on-going tour of New Zealand.</p>
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<h5><strong>(Also read:<a href="http://www.crictracker.com/top-10-highest-partnerships-in-tests-in-2015/" target="_blank">Top 10 Highest partnerships in Tests in 2015</a>)</strong></h5>

Top 6 Test Bowlers of 2015 - The Bowling Stars

2015 has been yet another eventful year of Test cricket. While many yesteryear top performers hung up their boots this year, we have witnessed the metamorphosis of many talented players to do their best.