Former Proteas spinner Simon Harmer took more first-class wickets than any other bowler in the world in 2018.

Playing for Essex and the Warriors, Harmer took 106 wickets in 24 matches to beat second-placed Mohammad Abbas, third-placed Duanne Olivier and fourth-placed Morne Morkel.

Harmer’s hefty haul featured seven innings five-fors and one match 10-for. He bowled more overs, 988.4, than any other bowler in the top 40 of the most first-class wickets taken last year.

Abbas managed 104 in 19 fixtures, while Olivier and Morkel gathered 102 in 22 and 91 in 17 respectively.

‘Playing international cricket is the pinnacle of anyone’s career, but making decisions based on the cards that you hold and trying to play your best hand is all that you can do. 2018 has been an epic year because of the people I chose to surround myself with, and most importantly, my family. Thank you for all the support, this one is for all the haters,’ Harmer wrote on social media.

The 29-year-old Harmer played the last of five Tests in 2015 – and has since forged a successful career in English county cricket. He was also a key member of the Jozi Stars’ title-winning squad in the inaugural Mzansi Super League in South Africa late last year.

Harmer was accompanied by fellow spinners Jeetan Patel of Wellington and Warwickshire, Abdur Razzak of Bangladesh and South Zone and Malinda Pushpakumara and Nathan Lyon of Australia and New South Wales in the top 10.

Photo: Getty