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.
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