Top 10 Wicket Takers in Test Cricket: Test cricket is the oldest and longest format of the game, played over 5 days between 2 innings per team. This allows bowlers to showcase their skills over a long period of time and take big hauls of wickets. In this article, we will cover the top 10 wicket takers in the history of test cricket.
10. Richard Hadlee (New Zealand)
The first entry on the list is New Zealand bowling legend Richard Hadlee. Known for his pace and aggressive bowling, Hadlee took 431 wickets in just 86 test matches at an average of 22.29. He was the first bowler to reach 400 test wickets and held the record for most wickets for many years after retirement. Hadlee’s phenomenal bowling skills made him one of the most feared bowlers of his time.
9. Dale Steyn (South Africa)
Considered one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time, South Africa’s Dale Steyn takes the 9th spot on this list. His lethal combination of pace, swing and accuracy enabled him to take 439 test wickets at an incredible average of 22.95. Steyn dominated batting lineups around the world with his hostile fast bowling and helped South Africa achieve the no.1 test ranking. He remains one of the best exponents of aggressive fast bowling.
8. Glenn McGrath (Australia)
The metronomic Australian seamer Glenn McGrath occupies 8th position with 563 test wickets. Known for his immaculate line and length, McGrath demolished opposition batting with remarkable consistency throughout his career. His pinpoint accuracy, subtle variations and ability to generate bounce from the surface made him a standout bowler. McGrath’s phenomenal test record made him a central part of Australia’s domination in that era.
7-4. The Indian Spin Quartet
At 7th position is India’s batting nemesis Anil Kumble with 619 test scalps. He is followed by spin wizard Harbhajan Singh at 417 wickets. The legendary Bishan Bedi took 266 while Erapalli Prasanna captured 189 victims. This famed spin quartet bamboozled batting lineups globally with their variations in flight, turn and bounce. Their phenomenal records testify to India’s spin bowling might.
3. Shane Warne (Australia)
The undisputed king of spin, Shane Warne was a cricket magician who mesmerized fans worldwide with his bowling. Warne demolished oppositions with his flippers, googlies and leg-breaks to take 708 test wickets, the second highest ever. His ball of the century that bamboozled Mike Gatting remains etched in cricketing folklore. Shane Warne revived and reinvented the art of leg spin bowling with his genius.
2. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka)
Sri Lanka’sMuttiah Muralitharan is arguably the greatest match-winning bowler of all time. With an unorthodox action and beguiling variations, Muralitharan ran through batting lineups to capture a mammoth 800 test wickets. For many years the highest wicket-taker, Muralitharan bamboozled batsmen globally with his doosras, off-breaks and leg-breaks. His record speaks volumes about his wizardry with the ball.
1. James Anderson (England)
Occupying pole position on this list with 657 wickets is England’s pace spearhead James Anderson. With seam and swing mastery coupled with accuracy and relentlessness, Anderson has demolished batting orders everywhere. At 40, he remains a threatening bowler who relentlessly chips away at opposition batting. His skills have made him England’s highest test wicket taker and one of the game’s enduring bowling superstars.
This brings us to the end of our list of the top 10 wicket takers in the history of test cricket. These bowlers have displayed prodigious skills to run through opposition batting orders over the years. Their superlative records bear testimony to their magnificent bowling abilities that have entralled fans globally and made test cricket an exciting contest between bat and ball.
Muttiah Muralitharan (800 wickets)
Key stats and achievements
Muttiah Muralitharan is considered by many to be the greatest bowler in Test cricket history. The Sri Lankan off-spinner took a record 800 wickets in Test matches during his illustrious career between 1992 and 2010. Some of Muralitharan’s key stats and achievements are:
- 800 wickets in 133 Test matches at an average of 22.72
- 67 five-wicket hauls, the most by any bowler in Test history
- 22 ten-wicket hauls in a match, again the most by any bowler
- Peak ICC Test bowler ranking of 1st, which he held for a record period of 1,711 days
- Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World in 2000 and 2006
- Only bowler to take 10 wickets in a Test innings four times
- Holds the record for the most wickets in a calendar year - 90 in 2006
Style of bowling and strengths
Muralitharan was an off-break bowler known for his unique bowling action and ability to spin the ball prodigiously. His main strengths were:
- Accuracy - able to consistently hit the same spot and exploit any weaknesses in batsmen
- Variations - had an array of different deliveries like the topspinner, doosra, carrom ball etc. which made him hard to play
- Big turning arc - able to turn the ball a long way which produced spin and bounce
- Stamina - able to bowl marathon spells maintaining attacking lines and lengths
Muralitharan had a relatively short run up for a spinner and a round-arm action that generated sharp turn and bounce even on unresponsive pitches. He was quick through the air and could vary his pace, flight and trajectory.
Brief playing career overview
Muralitharan made his Test debut against Australia in 1992. In his first Test series away in New Zealand later that year, he took 5 wickets in an innings 3 times. He was established as Sri Lanka’s premier spinner when they started becoming a major force in the mid-1990s.
Muralitharan was the leading wicket-taker in Test cricket for a decade between 2000-2010. Some of his career highlights include taking 9 wickets for 51 runs against England in 1998, becoming the first to reach 500 and 600 Test wickets and surpassing Courtney Walsh’s record of 519 wickets in 2004. Even as he approached the end of his career, he was still Sri Lanka’s main attacking weapon, often bowling marathon spells of over 40 overs per innings.
After 19 years at the top, Muralitharan retired in 2010 as Test cricket’s highest wicket-taker with 800 scalps. His record tally of wickets seems unlikely to ever be surpassed. He remains an inspiration for aspiring spinners around the world.
Shane Warne (708 wickets)
Key stats and record
- Matches: 145
- Wickets: 708
- 5 wicket hauls (fifers): 37
- 10 wicket hauls: 10
- Best bowling: 8/71
- Avg: 25.41
- SR: 57.4
- 5 wickets in an innings: 37 times
- 10 wickets in a match: 10 times
Style of bowling and strengths
- Primary style: Leg spin
- Strengths: Variations, flipper,slider, topspinner, attacking mindset
- Warne is considered one of the greatest leg spinners of all time.
- He had an array of variations including his trademark flipper and slider deliveries that deceived many batsmen.
- Warne had an attacking mindset and ability to take wickets even when batsmen were settled. His confidence in his ability was a key factor.
Brief playing career overview
- Debut: 1992
- Retired: 2007
- Warne made his Test debut against India in 1992 and instantly made an impact taking 7 wickets.
- He went on to become Australia’s leading wicket taker and helped them dominate world cricket in the 1990s and 2000s.
- Warne was known for his larger than life personality and several controversies but also as a mentor to young cricketers.
- His career lasted 15 years during which he became the first bowler to take 700 Test wickets.
- Warne delivered the ‘ball of the century’ to Mike Gatting in 1993, bowling him round his legs with a perfectly pitched leg break.
- He was a vital member of Australia’s World Cup winning teams in 1999 and 2003.
- Warne retired from international cricket in 2007 after a 5-0 Ashes whitewash against England.
James Anderson (685 wickets)
Key stats and achievements
James Anderson is England’s leading wicket-taker in Test cricket, with 685 wickets in 180 matches. He made his Test debut in 2003 and has been a mainstay of the England bowling attack since then.
Some of Anderson’s key stats and achievements are:
- 685 wickets in 180 Tests at an average of 26.83
- He is the most successful fast bowler in Test history and 6th on the all-time wicket-takers list
- 32 five-wicket hauls, 3 ten-wicket hauls in a match
- Best bowling figures of 7/42
- First England bowler to reach 500 and 600 Test wickets
- Holds the England record for most wickets against Australia (110), India (110) and South Africa (87)
- Has taken the most wickets by a pace bowler in Test history (685)
- Won the ICC Cricketer of the Year award in 2018
Style of bowling and strengths
James Anderson is a right-arm fast-medium bowler known for his skillful swing and seam bowling. He has the ability to make the ball swing both ways which allows him to threaten both edges of the bat.
His key strengths are:
- Accuracy - He has great control over line and length which helps him set up batters.
- Swing - He is a master of conventional and reverse swing with the old ball. This makes him a threat throughout the innings.
- Seam movement - He uses the seam position expertly to get deviation off the pitch.
- Variations - He mixes up his pace using cutters and slower balls to keep batters guessing.
- Intelligence - He adapts his bowling cleverly according to conditions and batters.
- Fitness - He has maintained high fitness standards allowing longevity despite his workload.
Brief playing career overview
Anderson made his ODI debut for England in 2002 and Test debut in 2003. He was initially inconsistent but became a regular in the Test side after 2007. His breakout performance was the 2009 Ashes in England where he took 24 wickets at 34.
Since 2010, Anderson has been a spearhead of England’s bowling attack across formats. Some highlights:
- Leading wicket-taker as England won the Ashes in Australia in 2010-11
- Outstanding performances when England beat India in India in 2012-13
- Man of the Series when England beat South Africa in 2020 at age 38
- Became England’s leading wicket-taker in Tests, going past Glenn McGrath’s 563 wickets
- At 39, he remains fit and a key part of England’s Test side. He shows no signs of slowing down.
Anderson will undoubtedly go down as one of the great fast bowlers of Test cricket. His skills, fitness and longevity make him a model fast bowling professional.
Anil Kumble (619 wickets)
Key stats and achievements
Anil Kumble is a legendary Indian cricketer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers in Test cricket history. He took 619 wickets in 132 Test matches, which makes him the third-highest wicket taker of all time behind only Muttiah Muralitharan (800) and Shane Warne (708).
Some of Kumble’s key stats and achievements in Tests:
- 619 wickets in 132 matches at an average of 29.65
- 35 five-wicket hauls
- 8 ten-wicket hauls in a match
- Best bowling figures of 10/74 against Pakistan in 1999
- 6th on the list of most Test matches played for India (132)
- 3rd highest number of Test wickets by an Indian bowler behind Kapil Dev and Harbhajan Singh
- Fastest to reach 350, 400, 450, 500 and 600 wickets milestones
Style of bowling and strengths
Kumble was known for his accuracy, bounce and subtle variations in pace. He did not turn the ball much but relied on change of pace, and bounce to trouble batsmen on Indian pitches. His unique bowling action generated good bounce from the surface which made him difficult to play on Indian wickets.
Kumble’s biggest strengths were his accuracy, control over line and length, and ability to out-think batsmen. He had several different deliveries like the topspinner, googly and slider up his sleeve which he used intelligently. His accuracy was phenomenal - he bowled a record 30 consecutive maiden overs in a Test match against England.
Kumble was not a big spinner of the ball but was still able to run through sides because of his impeccable control and ability to pick wickets consistently by changing pace and exploiting conditions.
Brief playing career overview
Kumble made his Test debut for India in 1990 against England. He quickly established himself as India’s premier spinner at home and the successor to Bishan Singh Bedi. Kumble was a match-winner for India with his phenomenal record in India, picking up 350 wickets in just 62 Tests.
He formed a potent spin partnership with Harbhajan Singh as India dominated at home in the 2000s. Some of his best bowling performances came against England, Australia and Pakistan at home. His career-best 10/74 came against Pakistan at the Feroz Shah Kotla in 1999.
Kumble captained India briefly in 14 Tests and led India to a series win against Pakistan in 2007 before retiring in 2008. He finished with 619 wickets in 132 Tests at an average of 29.65, establishing himself as one of the all-time bowling greats in Test cricket.
After retirement, Kumble served as head coach of the Indian cricket team for a year and was later the chairman of ICC’s Cricket Committee. He remains actively involved in Indian cricket as a coach, mentor and administrator.
Stuart Broad (582 wickets)
Key stats and achievements
- 163 Test matches
- 582 wickets at an average of 28.10
- Best bowling figures of 8/15
- 19 five-wicket hauls
- 3 ten-wicket hauls in a match
- Highest score of 169 with the bat
Stuart Broad has established himself as one of England’s greatest fast bowlers in Test cricket history. Since making his debut in 2007, he has taken over 580 wickets and been a stalwart of the England bowling attack. His standout achievements include taking 8 wickets for just 15 runs against Australia in 2015, which is one of the best bowling performances of all time. He also scored a superb 169 with the bat against Pakistan in 2010, showing his all-round capabilities.
Style of bowling and strengths
With the ability to swing and seam the ball both ways, Broad is a challenging bowler for batsmen to face. When conditions suit his style, he can be almost unplayable, as shown by his 19 five-wicket hauls. He has the ability to produce unplayable spells of fast bowling, running through top orders.
Broad’s key strengths are his accuracy, movement off the pitch, and taller height which gives him extra bounce. He has worked tirelessly on his skills over his career and can now seam and swing the ball both ways. His attacking spells of bowling, when he is at his best, can swiftly change the course of a Test match.
Brief playing career overview
After starting as a batting all-rounder, Broad refined his skills to become a skilled fast bowler and has been a mainstay of the England team since 2008. He formed a potent new ball partnership with James Anderson and played a key role in England achieving the number 1 Test ranking in 2011.
Despite some injuries and loss of form at times, Broad has maintained consistency and wicket-taking ability throughout his long career. At the age of 36, he is still performing excellently, taking his 500th Test wicket in 2020. With his skill, experience and knowledge of fast bowling, Broad promises to continue leading England’s bowling attack for a while yet.
Glenn McGrath (563 wickets)
Key stats and achievements
Glenn McGrath is one of the most successful fast bowlers in cricket history. In a career spanning 14 years, McGrath played 124 Test matches and claimed 563 wickets at an average of 21.64. He has the seventh-highest number of wickets in Test cricket.
Some of McGrath’s notable achievements include:
- 563 Test wickets at 21.64 in 124 matches. The seventh-highest wicket-taker in Tests.
- 29 five-wicket hauls and 3 ten-wicket hauls in Tests.
- 381 ODI wickets at 22.02 in 250 matches. The highest wicket-taker for Australia in ODIs.
- Best bowling figures of 8/24 against Pakistan in 2004.
- Instrumental in Australia’s dominance, winning 3 consecutive World Cups in 1999, 2003 and 2007.
Style of bowling and strengths
McGrath was known for his accuracy, consistency and metronomic line and length. His ability to bowl at a good length just outside off-stump repetitively made him a nightmare for batsmen.
McGrath’s height allowed him to extract bounce from the surface which he coupled with subtle seam movement. He was miserly in giving away runs and built pressure by bowling a lot of dot balls. His nagging accuracy often frustrated batsmen into making mistakes.
Even on flat pitches where there was little help, McGrath kept hitting the corridor of uncertainty and hardly veered from his line and length. He was a fast bowling machine who could keep going all day with the same intensity.
Brief playing career overview
McGrath made his debut for Australia in 1993 and soon became an integral part of the country’s formidable bowling attack. The 1990s to 2000s was a period of Australian cricket dominance, and McGrath’s phenomenal consistency played a major role.
He formed successful bowling partnerships with the likes of Shane Warne, Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee. McGrath finished with over 500 wickets in both Tests and ODIs - a phenomenal achievement. He won 3 straight World Cups with Australia from 1999 to 2007, underlining his pedigree as an all-time ODI great.
McGrath retired from cricket in 2007 after a prolific career for Australia during which he carved out a legacy as one of the all-time great fast bowlers. His accuracy, discipline and sustained excellence over a long period set him apart.
Courtney Walsh (519 wickets)
Courtney Walsh is a former West Indian cricketer who was one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history. He took 519 wickets in 132 Test matches, which was the record for most wickets in Tests until it was broken by Muttiah Muralitharan.
Key stats and records
- Walsh played 132 Test matches for the West Indies from 1984 to 2001.
- He took 519 wickets at an average of 24.44 runs per wicket. This was the record for most Test wickets until Muralitharan overtook it in 2004.
- Walsh took 22 five-wicket hauls and 3 ten-wicket hauls in Tests. His best bowling figures were 7/37.
- He was the first bowler to reach 500 wickets in Test cricket in 2001.
- Walsh also took 227 wickets in 205 ODIs for the West Indies.
Style of bowling and strengths
- Walsh was an exceptionally fast bowler, regularly bowling above 90 mph in his prime. His tall height allowed him to generate extra bounce off the pitch.
- He was exceptionally accurate, especially for a fast bowler. Walsh could consistently hit the right line and length to frustrate batters.
- His main strengths were his high stamina, sheer pace, and ability to make the ball swing and seam even on unhelpful pitches.
- Walsh was also remarkably durable, maintaining his pace and wicket-taking consistency throughout his long career. His athletic fielding was also a huge asset.
Brief playing career overview
- Walsh made his Test debut against Australia in 1984 and was an integral part of the all-conquering West Indies team during the 1980s and 90s.
- He formed a legendary fast bowling partnership with fellow Caribbean pace legend Curtly Ambrose for several years.
- Walsh served as captain of the West Indies in 22 Tests and 10 ODIs in the late 1990s.
- His most prolific years as a bowler came in the late 1980s through mid 1990s when he was regularly taking wickets and winning matches for West Indies.
- Walsh became the first bowler to reach 500 Test wickets in 2001 against South Africa. He retired later that year after a long, successful career as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time.
Nathan Lyon (487 wickets)
Key stats and achievements
Nathan Lyon is a veteran Australian off-spin bowler who has taken 487 wickets in 121 Test matches. Some of his key stats and achievements include:
- 487 wickets in 121 Tests at an average of 32.12 (As of October 2022)
- Third highest wicket-taker for Australia in Tests behind Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath
- 23 five-wicket hauls including two ten-wicket hauls in Tests
- Best bowling figures of 8/50 against India in 2017
- Named in Australia’s Test team of the decade (2010-2019) by Cricket Australia
- Member of Australia’s 2015 World Cup winning squad
Style of bowling and strengths
Nathan Lyon is known for his orthodox off-spin bowling style. His key strengths include:
- Extracting bounce and dip on dry pitches
- Generating turn and drift with his stock off-break delivery
- Maintaining disciplined line and length to contain runs
- Possessing a well-disguised variation ball (top-spinner) to deceive batsmen
- Ability to hold one end up and bowl long spells in Tests
- Providing vital breakthroughs by dismissing top-order batsmen
- Excellent fielder capable of plucking spectacular catches
Brief playing career overview
Nathan Lyon has been a mainstay in the Australian Test team since making his debut in 2011 against Sri Lanka. Some key highlights:
- Established himself as Australia’s first-choice spinner after Shane Warne’s retirement
- Took key wickets and starred in series wins against India, England and South Africa
- Formed a successful bowling partnership with off-field mentor John Davison early in his career
- Played a major role in Australia’s dominance at home, excelling on pace-friendly pitches
- Regarded as one of Australia’s greatest off-spinners with over 400 Test wickets
- Currently third on Australia’s all-time Test wicket-takers list behind Warne and McGrath
- Remains Australia’s main spin weapon as he approaches 100 Tests for his country
In summary, Nathan Lyon is an acclaimed off-spinner whose precision, control and ability to take crucial wickets has made him a highly valued member of the Australian Test team.
Ravi Ashwin (474 wickets)
Key stats and achievements
Ravichandran Ashwin made his test debut for India in 2011 and has since gone on to take 474 wickets in 92 test matches at an average of 24.56 (as of October 2023). He is known for his variations and accuracy as an off-spinner and has taken 32 five-wicket hauls and 7 ten-wicket hauls in tests so far. Some of Ashwin’s key stats and achievements are:
- 474 test wickets - 3rd highest for India behind Anil Kumble (619) and Kapil Dev (434)
- Average of 24.56 - The best for any Indian spinner with over 150 test wickets
- 32 Five-wicket hauls - Joint 5th highest in test history with Glenn McGrath
- 7 Ten-wicket hauls in a match - Joint 5th highest in Test history
- Fastest Indian to 250, 300 and 350 test wickets
- Highest wicket-taker against left-handers in tests (203 wickets)
- Only Indian spinner to take a wicket off the first ball in Tests (vs SL in 2017)
Style of bowling and strengths
Ashwin is an off-break bowler who relies on varying his pace, trajectory and length to outfox batsmen. He has a number of variations in his bowling arsenal:
- Off-break - His stock delivery that turns away from right handers
- Carrom ball - Release using the carrom finger flick, goes the other way
- Arm ball - Goes straight on with the arm, deceives batsmen in flight
- Slider - Skids straight on from the front of the hand
- Floaters - Tossed up loopily to tempt batsmen into false shots
His main strengths are his ability to extract bounce and dip on spinning tracks in India and his accuracy in landing the ball consistently. He uses his variations wisely to keep batsmen guessing and has a great cricketing brain.
Brief playing career overview
Since his debut in 2011, Ashwin has been India’s leading spinner in tests and one of the mainstays of the team’s bowling attack. He made an immediate impact taking nine wickets on debut against West Indies.
He was instrumental in helping India ascend to the number one ranking in tests in late 2016 with consistently good performances abroad and at home. Ashwin was the fastest Indian to 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 test wickets.
In the mid 2010s, Ashwin formed a lethal partnership with Ravindra Jadeja to help India dominate in home conditions. He also contributed handy lower order runs with four test centuries.
Ashwin is the third highest wicket taker for India in tests behind Kapil Dev and Anil Kumble. At just 36 years of age, he has several years left in his career to further enhance his wicket tally and cement his legacy as one of India’s greatest ever match-winning spinners.
Dale Steyn (439 wickets)
Key stats and achievements
- 93 Test matches
- 439 wickets at an average of 22.95
- Strike rate of 42.3
- 26 five wicket hauls
- 5 ten wicket hauls in a match
- Peak ICC Test bowler ranking of 1
Dale Steyn is considered one of the best fast bowlers of his generation with his ability to swing the ball at high pace. Some of his key stats and achievements in Test cricket include:
- Most wickets (439) by a South African bowler in Test cricket
- 7th highest wicket taker overall in Test history
- Career strike rate of 42.3 - one of the best for any bowler with over 200 Test wickets
- 26 five wicket hauls - joint 5th highest among fast bowlers
- 5 ten wicket hauls in a Test match
- Longest streak of 5 wickets in innings - 5 consecutive tests (2010-2011)
- Top ranked ICC Test bowler from 2008 to 2014
Style of bowling and strengths
With raw pace, accuracy and ability to make the ball swing both ways, Dale Steyn was South Africa’s premier fast bowling weapon for many years. His key strengths included:
- Pace - Could consistently bowl over 90mph and touched speeds of up to 96mph in his prime
- Swing - Both conventional and reverse. Could move the ball late at high speeds.
- Seam movement - Could make the ball jag back off the seam with subtle changes in wrist position
- Aggression and intensity - Relentlessly attacks the stumps and batsmen’s weaknesses
- Accuracy - Had the ability to land the ball exactly where he wanted over after over
- Fitness and athleticism - Remained extremely fit throughout his career aiding longevity
Steyn’s controlled swing at high pace made him a formidable bowler even on unresponsive pitches. He had the complete skillset required for success in Test cricket.
Brief playing career overview
Dale Steyn made his Test debut for South Africa in 2004 against England and quickly established himself as their strike bowler. At his peak from 2007 to 2014, Steyn was the number 1 ranked Test bowler in ICC rankings for over 6 years.
He was instrumental in many of South Africa’s Test wins at home and abroad, often running through batting lineups with his lethal pace and swing. His career highlights include a ten wicket haul against Pakistan in 2013, 7 wickets in an innings against India at home in 2010 and a match winning 5-wicket haul to beat Australia in Melbourne 2008.
Despite struggles with frequent injuries in the later part of his career, Steyn retired in 2019 after 93 Tests with 439 wickets at an average of 22.95. He led South Africa’s pace bowling attack that was regarded as one of the best in the world during his prime years. Steyn is undoubtedly one of the all-time great fast bowlers of Test cricket history.
Conclusions
Test cricket, with its emphasis on sustained bowling excellence, has produced some of the greatest bowlers the game has ever seen. The illustrious names on this list of top 10 wicket takers in Test cricket have all etched their names into cricketing folklore through their prodigious wicket-taking feats over the years. Their skill, guile, and at times raw pace, have demolished batting lineups and won matches for their countries. These bowling stalwarts displayed remarkable consistency and longevity at the highest level, resulting in staggering career wicket tallies that may never be surpassed. Their exploits revived and redefined the art of bowling, and will continue inspiring future generations of cricketers. The spectacular performances of these bowling legends have provided Test cricket with some of its most gripping contests, and enshrined their names in cricket’s pantheon. They will forever be remembered as among the greatest masters of bowling that Test cricket has ever witnessed.