Most wickets in County Championship, division one, 2024 – Hampshire spinner and seamer really stood out
Surrey was victorious in division one of the 2024 County Championship season but which bowlers were the most prolific in the competition?
The Essex pace attack was ruthless while a series of individual performances will have caught the eyes of England selectors.
So who were the top nine wicket takers last season in English domestic red-ball cricket?
9. Shane Snater – 41 wickets in 2024 County Championship
Snater provided Essex with crucial breakthroughs throughout the season as his side finished in fourth place in Division One.
The Netherlands international was utilised in short and sharp bursts with his knack of picking up pivotal wickets huge for his team at Chelmsford.
A cousin of Jason Roy, cricket well and truly runs in the family with Snater in the prime of his career ahead of the upcoming season.
8. Sam Cook – 43 wickets in 2024 County Championship
Cook was Essex’s most consistent seam bowler in 2024, delivering laser-like accuracy and seam movement.
He didn’t let batters settle all season and regularly pinned partnerships back before delivering a daggering blow off the surface.
An ability to swing the ball both ways has led to comparisons with England legend James Anderson.
7. Simon Harmer – 45 wickets in 2024 County Championship
Harmer has long been a reliable off-spinner for Essex, bowling long and effective spells while setting up batters with his bowling guile.
Though his average was higher than usual this season, he still delivered match-defining performances for his county.
He is one of the greatest spinners in the history of Division One with 377 wickets to date, sitting inside the top 9 bowlers.
6. Jack Leach – 45 wickets in 2024 County Championship
Leach is one of Somerset’s dynamic spin duos, with Shoaib Bashir offering accuracy and variation.
His ability to bowl long spells with discipline made him invaluable and when conditions suited him, he was near unplayable, especially against left-handers.
Despite losing his position as England’s first-choice spinner to his teammate, Leach has been the most prominent for his county with five, five-wicket hauls in 2024.
Also read: Most runs in County Championship, division one, 2024
5. Oliver Hannon-Dalby – 50 wickets in 2024 County Championship
Hannon-Dalby led Warwickshire’s pace attack with precision and a highly respectable average of 22.28 for his Edgbaston side in 2024.
His ability to extract bounce and movement with his 6’8 frame made him a constant threat where he struck regularly with both the new-ball and old-ball.
The 35-year-old has been incredibly successful in County Cricket and has been unlucky to never play Test Cricket for England.
4. Daniel Worrall – 52 wickets in 2024 County Championship
One of Surrey’s biggest weapons, Worrall was constantly troubling batters with his ability to move the ball late with a staggering 2024 average of 16.15.
His knack for producing unplayable deliveries made him one of the most dangerous bowlers in the competition.
He was born down under and initially played for South Australia before moving to county cricket, where he is now eligible to play for England – if the chance arises!
3. Liam Dawson – 54 wickets in 2024 County Championship
Dawson is known for his ability to be a constant threat with both bat and ball and is one of the most genuine all-rounders as an off-spinner.
His ability to exploit wearing pitches made him Hampshire’s go-to bowler in the second innings where he cleaned up the middle and tail order and closed matches expertly.
Many believe he’s one of the country’s most in-form bowlers and that he should have had more chances for England with his batting prowess.
2. Kyle Abbott – 55 wickets in 2024 County Championship
The South Africa star spearheaded Hampshire’s pace attack with relentless accuracy and aggression in 2024.
His ability to generate swing, seam, and occasional sharp bounce made him lethal against both right and left-handers.
Abbott once took 17 wickets in a County Championship match in 2017, one of the greatest bowling performances in his county’s history.
1. Jamie Porter – 56 wickets in 2024 County Championship
Despite Essex’s full bowling attack in the top nine, Porter was their standout bowler last season leading the attack with remarkable consistency.
His ability to bowl a probing line and length with swing made him difficult to face. He thrived under pressure and often provided Essex with early breakthroughs.
An average of 19.25 in 2024 will certainly have England selectors monitoring his exploits in the upcoming campaign.
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