Top 6 Wicket-takers in Test Cricket

ODIs are indeed dominated by batsmen but Test cricket is a battleground for bowlers. In the 140-year-old history of cricket, only 14 players have managed to join the 400-wicket club. We are to celebrate the awesome sportsmanship of some of the greatest bowlers who made it to the top wicket-takers list. Read on to find out more!

1. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka)

M. Muralitharan is one of the greatest off-spinner bowlers who has played 133 tests for his 800 wickets in his 18-year career from 1992-2010 at an average of 22.72. He is the highest wicket-taker in test cricket to date.

Bowling Record of M. Muralitharan in Test Cricket

Matches: 133

Innings: 230 

Wickets: 800

Average: 22.72

Economy Rate: 2.47

Bowling Strike Rate: 55.0

Best bowling in a match: 16/220

Best bowling in an innings: 9/51

2. Shane Warne (Australia)

Shane Warne, the legendary leg-spinner, ranks 2nd in the list with 708 wickets. He has played 145 tests in his 15-year career from 1992-2007 and took wickets at an average of 25.41.  

Bowling Record of Shane Warne in Test Cricket

Matches: 145

Innings: 273                               

Wickets: 708

Average: 25.41

Economy Rate: 2.65

Bowling Strike Rate: 57.4

Best bowling in a match: 12/128

Best bowling in an innings: 8/71

3. Anil Kumble (India)

Anil Kumble, the former Indian leg spinner, takes the third place with a record of 619 wickets from 1990-2008. He has played 132 tests in his 18-year career and took wickets at an average of 29.65.  

Bowling Record of Anil Kumble in Test Cricket

Matches: 132

Innings: 236

Wickets: 619

Average: 29.65

Economy Rate: 2.69

Bowling Strike Rate: 65.9

Best bowling in a match: 14/149

Best bowling in an innings: 10/74

4. James Anderson (England)

James Anderson has recently jumped from fifth to fourth place in the charts. He joined the 500-wicket team in the year 2017 and in 3 years he has reached a mark of 587 wickets. He has played 152 tests in his 17-year career from 2003-2020 and took wickets at an average of 26.87.

Bowling Record of James Anderson in Test Cricket

Matches: 152

Innings: 284

Wickets: 619

Average: 26.87

Economy Rate: 2.86

Bowling Strike Rate: 56.2

Best bowling in a match: 11/71

Best bowling in an innings: 7/42

5. Glenn McGrath (Australia)

Glenn McGrath, the former fast bowler, takes fifth place with a record of 563 wickets from 1993-2007. He has played 124 tests in his 14-year career and took wickets at an average of 21.64.  

Bowling Record of Glenn McGrath in Test Cricket

Matches: 124

Innings: 243

Wickets: 563

Average: 21.64

Economy Rate: 2.49

Bowling Strike Rate: 51.9

Best bowling in a match: 10/27

Best bowling in an innings: 8/24

6. Courtney Walsh (West Indies)

Courtney Walsh, the former fast bowler, takes the sixth place with a record of 519 wickets from 1984-2001. He has played 132 tests in his 17-year career and took wickets at an average of 24.44. He was the first cricketer in the history of Test cricket to join the 500-wicket club.

Bowling Record of Courtney Walsh in Test Cricket

Matches: 132

Innings: 242

Wickets: 519

Average: 24.44

Economy Rate: 2.53

Bowling Strike Rate: 57.8

Best bowling in a match: 13/55

Best bowling in an innings: 7/37

Test series is a time where great bowlers join the hall-of-fame of top wicket-takers and break records. In test cricket, bowlers are indispensable and it takes Herculean efforts and hard work to surpass these records.