Top 10 Bowlers with most wickets against a single team in Tests

Top 10 Bowlers with most wickets against a single team in Tests: Famous rivalries encourage standout performances from certain bowlers. Some bowlers even go on to become the opposition’s nemesis over a period of time. A successful record against a particular team can sometimes be a great source of inspiration for a bowler. Here’s a list of bowlers with most wickets against a single team in Tests. These great bowlers had brilliant overall records, however, enjoyed sustained success against a particular team and usually had the upper hand in the contest. Here we look at Top 10 Bowlers with most wickets against a single team in Tests: 10. Shane Warne v South Africa – 130: Shane Warne. (Photo Source: Getty Images) One of the greatest spinners to have ever graced the game, Shane Warne was an absolute magician with the ball in hand. The leg-spinner had unbelievable control on his art that made him a household name in and around the cricketing world. The Aussie bamboozled the South African batsmen most of the times and enjoyed great success over them. He played 24 matches against the Proteas and took 130 wickets at an average of 24.16 with the best of 7/56 at Sydney in 1994. Also Read – Top 10 Highest Wicket Takers In International Cricket 9. Sir Richard Hadlee v Australia – 130: Richard Hadlee. (© Getty Images) New Zealand’s greatest cricketer and one of the world’s legendary all-rounders, the first man to take 400 Test wicket enjoyed bowling against his team’s arch-rivals Australia. Sir Richard Hadlee played 23 matches against the Aussies and took 130 wickets at an average of 20.56, the same number of wickets, however, had a better average than Warne against SA. His career best spell remains one of the most remarkable spells ever witnessed in cricket. He decimated the Australian lineup with a marvelous 9/52 at the Gabba in 1985. 8. Courtney Walsh v Australia – 135: Courtney Walsh (Photo Source: Getty Images) The first man to reach 500 wickets in Test cricket, Courtney Walsh continued the legacy of great West Indian fast bowlers till the day he retired from international cricket. Walsh was a complete fast bowler who had a very smooth action which was pleasing to watch. He played 38 matches against the Aussies and took 135 wickets at 28.68 with the best of 6/54 at Antigua in 1995. 7. Hugh Trumble v England – 141: Hugh Trumble is considered the first of the great off-spinners of the Test-match age. On the wet pitches often found in those days he was virtually unplayable. A tall man, he bowled off-spin at close to medium pace with considerable variation in flight and pace. The first man to take two Test hat-tricks, Trumble played all of his Tests 32 Tests against England taking 141 wickets at 20.88 with the career best of 8/65 at The Oval in London in 1902; a thrilling contest which England won by 1 wicket. 6. Courtney Walsh v England – 145: Courtney Walsh (Photo Source: Getty Images) The great fast bowler also enjoyed bowling against England and troubled many of the team’s top batters. He played 36 Tests against them and took 145 wickets at an average of 25.40. His best spell was 6/74 at the Lord’s in 2000. It was a thrilling contest, one of the best ever witnessed at the home of cricket, which the home team managed to win by 2 wickets. 5. Sir Ian Botham v Australia – 148: Sir Ian Botham. (Photo Source: Getty Images) The legendary English all-rounder had many great battles against arch-rivals Australia. One of the most talismanic cricketers ever produced by England, Sir Ian Botham’s larger than life personality and brilliant performances captured the imagination of his nation. He played 36 Tests against the Aussies and took 148 wickets at 27.65 with the best of 6/78 at Perth in 1979. 4. Glenn McGrath v England – 157: Glenn McGrath. (© Getty Images) Australia’s great fast bowler troubled many great batsmen of his generation. The tall Glenn McGrath, world renowned for his immaculate line and lengths, bowled his team to many famous wins. He picked up 157 wickets against England from 30 matches at an average of 20.92 with the best of 8/38 at the Lord’s in 1997. The home team was bundled out for 77 in their first innings of this drawn Test match. 3. Curtly Ambrose v England – 164: Curtly Ambrose. (Photo Source: ESPNcricinfo Ltd) Curtly Ambrose was the most lethal bowler of his generation. Speed and accuracy is what defined this great West Indian fast bowler. Using his tall frame, he generated bounce even on docile tracks. Against England, he played 34 matches taking 164 wickets at 18.79. His career best spell was against the same team in 1990; a spell which decimated England. He took 8/45 in 22.4 overs and gifted his team a win by 164 runs. 2. Dennis Lillee v England – 167: Denis Lillee. (Photo Source: Getty Images) The iconic Australian fast bowler was devastating against most teams he faced. Dennis Lillee had the kind of control over his art that a fast bowler dreams of. He played 29 matches against England and took 167 wickets at an average of 21.00. His 7/89 at The Oval in London in 1981 was his best spell against the old foes in a match which ended in a draw. He and McGrath are widely and justifiably regarded as 2 of Australia’s greatest ever fast bowlers. 1. Shane Warne v England – 195: Shane Warne. (© Getty Images) The ultimate Ashes hero saved his best for his favorite opposition. Warne v England made headlines whenever these 2 teams played. In 36 matches that he played against the arch-rivals, he picked up an astounding 195 wickets at an average of 23.25 with the career best of 8/71 at the Gabba in Brisbane in 1994. The spell helped his team win the match by 184 runs. Also Read – Top 10 Leading wicket takers in Tests (All Stats Updated Till 20th December, 2015)