Top 5 bowlers with most wickets in Test cricket history

Test cricket is a format that is considered the most challenging one among the three versions of the game. It demands a high amount of dedication both from the batsmen and the bowlers to excel in the 5-day format. It also depends on the pitch conditions whether it will help the batsmen or the bowlers. In this article, we will be listing out 5 bowlers who have taken the most wickets in the longest format of the game.

5. Glenn McGrath – 563

Australian pacer Glenn McGrath is regarded among the greatest fast bowlers of all time. He took 563 wickets in 124 matches at an average of 21.64 and a strike rate of 51.9. He was part of the Australian Test team for around 14 years from 1993 to 2007. McGrath was the leading pacer for Australia in Test cricket with 29 fifers also to his name.

4. James Anderson – 614

English pacer James Anderson is the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket among current players. He still looks fit and fine to play for two or more years. Anderson has picked up 614 wickets in 160 games at an average of 26.46 and a strike rate of 55.9. He has taken 35 fifers and three 10-wicket hauls in Test cricket with the best innings figures of 7/42.

3. Anil Kumble – 619

Anil Kumble is the leading wicket-taker for India in the longest format. He has 619 scalps to his name in 132 matches with an average of 29.65 and a strike rate of 65.9. Kumble took 35 five-wicket hauls and 8 ten-wicket hauls in his Test career. He is one of the only two bowlers to pick all 10 wickets in a Test inning. He achieved this milestone against Pakistan in the Delhi Test in 1999.

2. Shane Warne – 708

Australian spinner Shane Warne is considered among the greatest spinners to have ever played the game. He picked up 708 wickets in 145 Tests at an average of 25.41 and a strike rate of 57.4. Warne took 37 fifers and ten 10-wicket hauls during his playing career in the five-day format. He registered his best bowling figures of 8/71 against England in 1994.

1. Muttiah Muralitharan – 800

Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan is the leading wicket-taker in Test cricket history. He picked up a record 800 wickets in 133 Test matches at an average of 22.72 and a strike rate of 55. Muralitharan also holds the record for taking the most fifers (67) and the most ten-wicket hauls (22) in the longest format. He was part of the Sri Lanka Test team for over 18 years from 1992 to 2010.

Most Test Wickets List