Bowlers play a crucial role in cricket, balancing the game for the batters. Bowlers might not always get as much attention as the players with the bat, bowlers are often the true match-winners. Capable of turning the tide by taking crucial wickets. Test cricket, with its unlimited overs, is the ultimate challenge for any bowler. It tests their endurance, skill, and ability to perform under pressure. Over the years, many wicket takers in Test Cricket History, have shown their brilliance, winning games on their own and becoming legends of the sport.
Here are the Top 5 Wicket Taker in Test Cricket History:
5. Stuart Broad
Stuart Broad of England recently became only the second fast bowler to take 600 Test wickets during the 2023 Ashes series. He joined his teammate James Anderson on this prestigious list. Broad made his Test debut for England in 2007 and went on to become one of the country’s greatest fast bowlers. The Nottingham-born player has played 166 matches, taking 604 wickets, including 20 five-wicket hauls. His best bowling performance was 8 for 15 against Australia in the 2015 Ashes which makes him one of the top Wicket Takers in Test Cricket History . Besides his bowling skills, Broad is a capable batsman and even scored a Test century, making 169 against Pakistan. He is also among the few bowlers to have taken more than one hat-trick in Test cricket.
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4. Anil Kumble
Anil Kumble of India ranks fourth on the list of all-time Test wicket-takers with 619 wickets in 132 matches. He made his Test debut in 1990 against England and played his final match against Australia in 2008. Kumble took 35 five-wicket hauls in his Test career and is best remembered for his incredible 10/74 performance, becoming only the second bowler after Jim Laker to take all 10 wickets in a Test innings. He achieved this historic feat in the 1999 Delhi Test against Pakistan.
3. James Anderson
James Anderson, considered England’s greatest fast bowler, retired from Test cricket in July 2024. After making his debut in 2003, Anderson played 188 Tests for England, placing him just behind Sachin Tendulkar (200) for the most Test appearances. Over his 21-year Test career, Anderson took 704 wickets, the most by any fast bowler and the third-highest in Test cricket history. He claimed 32 five-wicket hauls in Tests.
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2. Shane Warne
The legendary Shane Warne was the first bowler to reach 700 wickets in Test cricket, finishing his career with 708 wickets. He made his Test debut against India in 1992 and became the greatest leg-spinner the world has ever seen. Warne played 145 Tests, taking 37 five-wicket hauls, including a hat-trick against England in 1994. Sadly, we lost this cricket genius at the age of 52 in 2022.
1. Muttiah Muralitharan
Muttiah Muralitharan from Sri Lanka is likely to stay the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket for a long time, with no active bowler close to his incredible record of 800 wickets. He made his Test debut for Sri Lanka against Australia in 1992. Known for his unique and sometimes controversial bowling action, Murali played Test cricket for 18 years, taking 800 wickets in 133 matches. He holds the record for 67 five-wicket hauls and is the only bowler in Test history to have taken nine wickets in an innings twice.
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