Test cricket fans are all set to relish the blockbuster cricketing action for the next few days as the Ashes will be back with its 2023 edition after the conclusion of the ongoing <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/tests/world-test-championship/" title="2023 World Test Championship" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>2023 World Test Championship</strong></a> (WTC) final between India and Australia at The Oval, London.&nbsp;

In a high-voltage Test series like the Ashes, it’s not an easy job for bowlers to rise and shine more than the batters, however, some bowlers made it look effortless as they not only became leading wicket-takers in the competition but also broke into the record books for taking the most wickets in an Ashes series.

Here are the top five wicket-takers in an Ashes series (last 40 years)

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1686201508305_Shane-Warne-bowling-1993-Ashes.jpeg" alt="Shane Warne bowling 1993 Ashes." loading="lazy"><figcaption data-gramm="false" wt-ignore-input="true">Shane Warne bowling 1993 Ashes. (Photo Source : Gettyimages)</figcaption>

In 1993, Australia toured England for a six-match Ashes Test series. The distinguished urn went to the Aussies as they hammered the hosts by a 4-1 margin. From this series, Australia got Shane Warne as their match-winner as the spin wizard took 34 wickets in 12 innings of six matches.

Playing the opening match at Old Trafford in Manchester, Warne became the Player of the Match as he powered his team to a comfortable 179-run win with his eight wickets. After his performance in the first match, Warne maintained his form and chipped in with eight wickets again in Australia’s second consecutive victory in the series.

In the second innings of the 5th Test at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Warne became the leading wicket-taker with his 5/82 bowling figures and helped his side to vanquish England by eight wickets. At the end of the series, the leggie became the Player of the Series, along with the England opening batter Graham Gooch. &nbsp;&nbsp;

4. Glenn McGrath (36 wickets, 1997 Ashes)

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1686201468734_Glenn-McGrath-bowling-1997-Ashes.jpeg" alt="Glenn McGrath bowling 1997 Ashes." loading="lazy"><figcaption data-gramm="false" wt-ignore-input="true">Glenn McGrath bowling 1997 Ashes. (Photo Source : Gettyimages)</figcaption>

Australia won <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ashes/" title="the Ashes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>the Ashes</strong></a> in 1997 as they beat the hosts England comfortably by a margin of 3-2. In the visitors’ success, their pacer Glenn McGrath played a primary role with his fabulous bowling. Picking up 36 wickets in 12 innings of six games, the Aussie speedster finished as the leading wicket-taker in the series.

The second Test at the iconic Lord’s ended in a stalemate but McGrath strived to produce his best and dominated England with his 8/38 and 1/65 bowling figures. For his scintillating bowling display in the drawn Test, the pacer also received the Player of the Match award. Continuing his form in the next match, McGrath grabbed 4/46 figures in the second innings and guided Australia to a 268-run win.

Riding on his amazing efforts, Australia clinched the series comfortably after five Tests. England played for pride in the sixth Test and in the intriguing contest, the hosts ended up winning by a close margin of 19 runs. In the losing cause as well, McGrath looked at his best and racked up 7/76 figures in the first innings.

3. Mitchell Johnson (37 wickets, 2013-14 Ashes)

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1686131619587_Mitchell-Johnson.jpeg" alt="Mitchell Johnson Bowling." loading="lazy"><figcaption data-gramm="false" wt-ignore-input="true">Mitchell Johnson Bowling. (Photo Source : Gettyimages)</figcaption>

In November 2013, England toured <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/twitter-reactions-cricket/twitter-reactions-australia-in-command-after-steve-smith-and-travis-heads-momentous-stand-on-day-1/" title="Australia" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Australia</strong></a> for the Ashes, and hosting the Alastair Cook-led side, Michael Clarke and his men whitewashed the visitors in the five-match Test series. Mitchell Johnson won the Player of the Series award at the end of the tournament as he became the highest wicket-taker in the competition with 37 wickets in 10 innings.

From the start of the series, Johnson looked dominant against Cook and Co. In the opening Test played at The Gabba, the pacer hunted nine batters with the ball and ended up becoming the Player of the Match in his team’s sensational 381-run triumph.

Taking his form ahead, Johnson sharpened his attack against the visitors in the second Test and became the Player of the Match again for powering Australia to a 218-run win with his 7/40 and 1/73 bowling figures.

Johnson delivered another notable performance for his team in the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). In the Aussies’ sensational eight-wicket victory at the iconic stadium, Johnson picked up a fifer in the first innings and got the Player of the Match award for the third time in the series.

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1671424767792_Shane-Warne.jpeg" alt="Shane Warne" loading="lazy"><figcaption data-gramm="false" wt-ignore-input="true">Shane Warne. (Photo Source: Clive Mason/Getty Images)</figcaption>

Shane Warne clinched 40 wickets in five matches of the 2005 Ashes competition and got the Player of the Series award along with <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/cricket-ties-between-zimbabwe-and-england-set-to-normalise-as-ecb-plans-to-invite-african-nation-on-home-turf/" title="England" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>England</strong></a> all-rounder Andrew Flintoff. Warne’s remarkable bowling efforts went in vain as the hosts registered a 2-1 triumph over the visitors in the series.&nbsp;

In the first Test at Lord’s, Warne supported Glenn McGrath with his fine bowling efforts (2/19 and 4/64) and guided his team to a 239-run triumph. After the marvellous victory at the fabled stadium, Australia lost to England by two runs in the second Test at Edgbaston. In the losing cause, Warne grabbed figures of 4/116 and 6/46.

At Trent Bridge, England handed a three-wicket defeat to the Aussies in the fourth Test and this time as well, Warne looked ferocious and bagged eight wickets in the match. The last Test concluded in a draw and with the result, Australia also lost the series. However, the Aussie spinner exuded confidence with the ball and took six wickets in both innings of the game.

1. Terence Alderman (41 wickets,1989 Ashes)

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1686200361872_Terence-Alderman.jpeg" alt="Terence Alderman" loading="lazy"><figcaption data-gramm="false" wt-ignore-input="true">Terence Alderman. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

In Australia’s 4-0 win against England in the 1989 edition of the Ashes, Terence Alderman made a huge contribution with the ball. Trapping 41 batters in 11 innings across six matches, the speedster became the recipient of the Player of the Series award alongside England wicketkeeper-batter Jack Russell.&nbsp;

Playing the first Test at Headlingley, Alderman ran through England’s batting line-up in both innings and bagged five-wicket hauls twice to guide his team to a 210-run victory. The pacer also became the Player of the Match at the end of the game, for his match-winning bowling performance.

Australia outclassed the hosts completely in the fourth and fifth Tests of the competition and in these huge victories, Alderman bowled efficiently and took a couple of fifers to crush the hosts. In the last Test at The Oval, both teams went back home with a draw but the contest went well for Alderman as he became the highest wicket-taker with seven scalps.

<quillbot-extension-portal></quillbot-extension-portal>

Shane Warne, Mitchell Johnson and McGrath Bowling.

<p>Test cricket fans are all set to relish the blockbuster cricketing action for the next few days as the Ashes will be back with its 2023 edition after the conclusion of the ongoing <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/tests/world-test-championship/" title="2023 World Test Championship" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>2023 World Test Championship</strong></a> (WTC) final between India and Australia at The Oval, London.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In a high-voltage Test series like the Ashes, it’s not an easy job for bowlers to rise and shine more than the batters, however, some bowlers made it look effortless as they not only became leading wicket-takers in the competition but also broke into the record books for taking the most wickets in an Ashes series.</p>
<h3>Here are the top five wicket-takers in an Ashes series (last 40 years)</h3>
<h3>5. Shane Warne (34 wickets, 1993 Ashes)</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1686201508305_Shane-Warne-bowling-1993-Ashes.jpeg" alt="Shane Warne bowling 1993 Ashes." width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption data-gramm="false">Shane Warne bowling 1993 Ashes. (Photo Source : Gettyimages)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In 1993, Australia toured England for a six-match Ashes Test series. The distinguished urn went to the Aussies as they hammered the hosts by a 4-1 margin. From this series, Australia got Shane Warne as their match-winner as the spin wizard took 34 wickets in 12 innings of six matches.</p>
<p>Playing the opening match at Old Trafford in Manchester, Warne became the Player of the Match as he powered his team to a comfortable 179-run win with his eight wickets. After his performance in the first match, Warne maintained his form and chipped in with eight wickets again in Australia’s second consecutive victory in the series.</p>
<p>In the second innings of the 5th Test at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Warne became the leading wicket-taker with his 5/82 bowling figures and helped his side to vanquish England by eight wickets. At the end of the series, the leggie became the Player of the Series, along with the England opening batter Graham Gooch. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p></p>
<h3>4. Glenn McGrath (36 wickets, 1997 Ashes)</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1686201468734_Glenn-McGrath-bowling-1997-Ashes.jpeg" alt="Glenn McGrath bowling 1997 Ashes." width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption data-gramm="false">Glenn McGrath bowling 1997 Ashes. (Photo Source : Gettyimages)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Australia won <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ashes/" title="the Ashes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>the Ashes</strong></a> in 1997 as they beat the hosts England comfortably by a margin of 3-2. In the visitors’ success, their pacer Glenn McGrath played a primary role with his fabulous bowling. Picking up 36 wickets in 12 innings of six games, the Aussie speedster finished as the leading wicket-taker in the series.</p>
<p>The second Test at the iconic Lord’s ended in a stalemate but McGrath strived to produce his best and dominated England with his 8/38 and 1/65 bowling figures. For his scintillating bowling display in the drawn Test, the pacer also received the Player of the Match award. Continuing his form in the next match, McGrath grabbed 4/46 figures in the second innings and guided Australia to a 268-run win.</p>
<p>Riding on his amazing efforts, Australia clinched the series comfortably after five Tests. England played for pride in the sixth Test and in the intriguing contest, the hosts ended up winning by a close margin of 19 runs. In the losing cause as well, McGrath looked at his best and racked up 7/76 figures in the first innings.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>3. Mitchell Johnson (37 wickets, 2013-14 Ashes)</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1686131619587_Mitchell-Johnson.jpeg" alt="Mitchell Johnson Bowling." width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption data-gramm="false">Mitchell Johnson Bowling. (Photo Source : Gettyimages)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In November 2013, England toured <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/twitter-reactions-cricket/twitter-reactions-australia-in-command-after-steve-smith-and-travis-heads-momentous-stand-on-day-1/" title="Australia" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Australia</strong></a> for the Ashes, and hosting the Alastair Cook-led side, Michael Clarke and his men whitewashed the visitors in the five-match Test series. Mitchell Johnson won the Player of the Series award at the end of the tournament as he became the highest wicket-taker in the competition with 37 wickets in 10 innings.</p>
<p>From the start of the series, Johnson looked dominant against Cook and Co. In the opening Test played at The Gabba, the pacer hunted nine batters with the ball and ended up becoming the Player of the Match in his team’s sensational 381-run triumph.</p>
<p>Taking his form ahead, Johnson sharpened his attack against the visitors in the second Test and became the Player of the Match again for powering Australia to a 218-run win with his 7/40 and 1/73 bowling figures.</p>
<p>Johnson delivered another notable performance for his team in the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). In the Aussies’ sensational eight-wicket victory at the iconic stadium, Johnson picked up a fifer in the first innings and got the Player of the Match award for the third time in the series.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>2. Shane Warne (40 wickets, 2005 Ashes)</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1671424767792_Shane-Warne.jpeg" alt="Shane Warne" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption data-gramm="false">Shane Warne. (Photo Source: Clive Mason/Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Shane Warne clinched 40 wickets in five matches of the 2005 Ashes competition and got the Player of the Series award along with <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/cricket-ties-between-zimbabwe-and-england-set-to-normalise-as-ecb-plans-to-invite-african-nation-on-home-turf/" title="England" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>England</strong></a> all-rounder Andrew Flintoff. Warne’s remarkable bowling efforts went in vain as the hosts registered a 2-1 triumph over the visitors in the series.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In the first Test at Lord’s, Warne supported Glenn McGrath with his fine bowling efforts (2/19 and 4/64) and guided his team to a 239-run triumph. After the marvellous victory at the fabled stadium, Australia lost to England by two runs in the second Test at Edgbaston. In the losing cause, Warne grabbed figures of 4/116 and 6/46.</p>
<p>At Trent Bridge, England handed a three-wicket defeat to the Aussies in the fourth Test and this time as well, Warne looked ferocious and bagged eight wickets in the match. The last Test concluded in a draw and with the result, Australia also lost the series. However, the Aussie spinner exuded confidence with the ball and took six wickets in both innings of the game.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>1. Terence Alderman (41 wickets,1989 Ashes)</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1686200361872_Terence-Alderman.jpeg" alt="Terence Alderman" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption data-gramm="false">Terence Alderman. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In Australia’s 4-0 win against England in the 1989 edition of the Ashes, Terence Alderman made a huge contribution with the ball. Trapping 41 batters in 11 innings across six matches, the speedster became the recipient of the Player of the Series award alongside England wicketkeeper-batter Jack Russell.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Playing the first Test at Headlingley, Alderman ran through England’s batting line-up in both innings and bagged five-wicket hauls twice to guide his team to a 210-run victory. The pacer also became the Player of the Match at the end of the game, for his match-winning bowling performance.</p>
<p>Australia outclassed the hosts completely in the fourth and fifth Tests of the competition and in these huge victories, Alderman bowled efficiently and took a couple of fifers to crush the hosts. In the last Test at The Oval, both teams went back home with a draw but the contest went well for Alderman as he became the highest wicket-taker with seven scalps.</p>
<p></p>

<p>Test cricket fans are all set to relish the blockbuster cricketing action for the next few days as the Ashes will be back with its 2023 edition after the conclusion of the ongoing <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/tests/world-test-championship/" title="2023 World Test Championship" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>2023 World Test Championship</strong></a> (WTC) final between India and Australia at The Oval, London.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In a high-voltage Test series like the Ashes, it’s not an easy job for bowlers to rise and shine more than the batters, however, some bowlers made it look effortless as they not only became leading wicket-takers in the competition but also broke into the record books for taking the most wickets in an Ashes series.</p>
<h3>Here are the top five wicket-takers in an Ashes series (last 40 years)</h3>
<h3>5. Shane Warne (34 wickets, 1993 Ashes)</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1686201508305_Shane-Warne-bowling-1993-Ashes.jpeg" alt="Shane Warne bowling 1993 Ashes." loading="lazy">
<figcaption data-gramm="false" wt-ignore-input="true">Shane Warne bowling 1993 Ashes. (Photo Source : Gettyimages)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In 1993, Australia toured England for a six-match Ashes Test series. The distinguished urn went to the Aussies as they hammered the hosts by a 4-1 margin. From this series, Australia got Shane Warne as their match-winner as the spin wizard took 34 wickets in 12 innings of six matches.</p>
<p>Playing the opening match at Old Trafford in Manchester, Warne became the Player of the Match as he powered his team to a comfortable 179-run win with his eight wickets. After his performance in the first match, Warne maintained his form and chipped in with eight wickets again in Australia’s second consecutive victory in the series.</p>
<p>In the second innings of the 5th Test at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Warne became the leading wicket-taker with his 5/82 bowling figures and helped his side to vanquish England by eight wickets. At the end of the series, the leggie became the Player of the Series, along with the England opening batter Graham Gooch. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p></p>
<h3>4. Glenn McGrath (36 wickets, 1997 Ashes)</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1686201468734_Glenn-McGrath-bowling-1997-Ashes.jpeg" alt="Glenn McGrath bowling 1997 Ashes." loading="lazy">
<figcaption data-gramm="false" wt-ignore-input="true">Glenn McGrath bowling 1997 Ashes. (Photo Source : Gettyimages)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Australia won <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ashes/" title="the Ashes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>the Ashes</strong></a> in 1997 as they beat the hosts England comfortably by a margin of 3-2. In the visitors’ success, their pacer Glenn McGrath played a primary role with his fabulous bowling. Picking up 36 wickets in 12 innings of six games, the Aussie speedster finished as the leading wicket-taker in the series.</p>
<p>The second Test at the iconic Lord’s ended in a stalemate but McGrath strived to produce his best and dominated England with his 8/38 and 1/65 bowling figures. For his scintillating bowling display in the drawn Test, the pacer also received the Player of the Match award. Continuing his form in the next match, McGrath grabbed 4/46 figures in the second innings and guided Australia to a 268-run win.</p>
<p>Riding on his amazing efforts, Australia clinched the series comfortably after five Tests. England played for pride in the sixth Test and in the intriguing contest, the hosts ended up winning by a close margin of 19 runs. In the losing cause as well, McGrath looked at his best and racked up 7/76 figures in the first innings.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>3. Mitchell Johnson (37 wickets, 2013-14 Ashes)</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1686131619587_Mitchell-Johnson.jpeg" alt="Mitchell Johnson Bowling." loading="lazy">
<figcaption data-gramm="false" wt-ignore-input="true">Mitchell Johnson Bowling. (Photo Source : Gettyimages)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In November 2013, England toured <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/twitter-reactions-cricket/twitter-reactions-australia-in-command-after-steve-smith-and-travis-heads-momentous-stand-on-day-1/" title="Australia" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Australia</strong></a> for the Ashes, and hosting the Alastair Cook-led side, Michael Clarke and his men whitewashed the visitors in the five-match Test series. Mitchell Johnson won the Player of the Series award at the end of the tournament as he became the highest wicket-taker in the competition with 37 wickets in 10 innings.</p>
<p>From the start of the series, Johnson looked dominant against Cook and Co. In the opening Test played at The Gabba, the pacer hunted nine batters with the ball and ended up becoming the Player of the Match in his team’s sensational 381-run triumph.</p>
<p>Taking his form ahead, Johnson sharpened his attack against the visitors in the second Test and became the Player of the Match again for powering Australia to a 218-run win with his 7/40 and 1/73 bowling figures.</p>
<p>Johnson delivered another notable performance for his team in the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). In the Aussies’ sensational eight-wicket victory at the iconic stadium, Johnson picked up a fifer in the first innings and got the Player of the Match award for the third time in the series.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>2. Shane Warne (40 wickets, 2005 Ashes)</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1671424767792_Shane-Warne.jpeg" alt="Shane Warne" loading="lazy">
<figcaption data-gramm="false" wt-ignore-input="true">Shane Warne. (Photo Source: Clive Mason/Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Shane Warne clinched 40 wickets in five matches of the 2005 Ashes competition and got the Player of the Series award along with <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/cricket-ties-between-zimbabwe-and-england-set-to-normalise-as-ecb-plans-to-invite-african-nation-on-home-turf/" title="England" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>England</strong></a> all-rounder Andrew Flintoff. Warne’s remarkable bowling efforts went in vain as the hosts registered a 2-1 triumph over the visitors in the series.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In the first Test at Lord’s, Warne supported Glenn McGrath with his fine bowling efforts (2/19 and 4/64) and guided his team to a 239-run triumph. After the marvellous victory at the fabled stadium, Australia lost to England by two runs in the second Test at Edgbaston. In the losing cause, Warne grabbed figures of 4/116 and 6/46.</p>
<p>At Trent Bridge, England handed a three-wicket defeat to the Aussies in the fourth Test and this time as well, Warne looked ferocious and bagged eight wickets in the match. The last Test concluded in a draw and with the result, Australia also lost the series. However, the Aussie spinner exuded confidence with the ball and took six wickets in both innings of the game.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>1. Terence Alderman (41 wickets,1989 Ashes)</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1686200361872_Terence-Alderman.jpeg" alt="Terence Alderman" loading="lazy">
<figcaption data-gramm="false" wt-ignore-input="true">Terence Alderman. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In Australia’s 4-0 win against England in the 1989 edition of the Ashes, Terence Alderman made a huge contribution with the ball. Trapping 41 batters in 11 innings across six matches, the speedster became the recipient of the Player of the Series award alongside England wicketkeeper-batter Jack Russell.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Playing the first Test at Headlingley, Alderman ran through England’s batting line-up in both innings and bagged five-wicket hauls twice to guide his team to a 210-run victory. The pacer also became the Player of the Match at the end of the game, for his match-winning bowling performance.</p>
<p>Australia outclassed the hosts completely in the fourth and fifth Tests of the competition and in these huge victories, Alderman bowled efficiently and took a couple of fifers to crush the hosts. In the last Test at The Oval, both teams went back home with a draw but the contest went well for Alderman as he became the highest wicket-taker with seven scalps.</p>
<p><quillbot-extension-portal></quillbot-extension-portal></p>

Test cricket fans are all set to relish the blockbuster cricketing action for the next few days as the Ashes will be back with its 2023 edition after the conclusion of the ongoing 2023 World Test Cham

The Ashes: Top 5 wicket-takers in single edition

The 2023 Ashes is set to begin on June 16 at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

Check out the top 5 wicket-takers from a single edition who left an indelible mark on The Ashes' most illustrious rivalry.