Most Wickets in International: In the game of cricket, it is often said that a batsman can make you win matches, while a bowler can make you win big series or tournaments. Bowlers play a pivotal role in setting the winning momentum for their team. A good bowling line up could take on any batsman anyday.
There have been some legendary bowlers who were a nightmare for a batsman and ruled over the cricketing world for many years. Few of them have been able dominate throughout their careers and ended up being among the leading wicket takers in all format of International cricket. In this article, we will have a look at the top 10 bowlers with most wickets in International cricket (Tests, ODIs and T20Is).
Top 10 Players with Most Wickets in International Cricket
Player | Span | Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy | 5w | 10w |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Muthiah Muralidaran | 1992-2011 | 495 | 1347 | 22.86 | 2.92 | 77 | 22 |
Shane Warne | 1992-2007 | 339 | 1001 | 25.51 | 2.98 | 38 | 10 |
James Anderson | 2002-2023 | 394 | 975 | 27.12 | 3.25 | 34 | 3 |
Anil Kumble | 1990-2008 | 403 | 956 | 30.09 | 3.11 | 37 | 8 |
Glenn McGrath | 1993-2007 | 376 | 949 | 21.76 | 2.93 | 36 | 3 |
Wasim Akram | 1984-2003 | 460 | 916 | 23.57 | 3.17 | 31 | 5 |
Stuart Broad | 2006-2022 | 342 | 841 | 27.76 | 3.45 | 21 | 3 |
Shaun Pollock | 1995-2008 | 423 | 829 | 23.73 | 2.92 | 21 | 1 |
Waqar Younis | 1989-2003 | 349 | 789 | 23.70 | 3.88 | 35 | 5 |
Chaminda Vaas | 1994-2009 | 439 | 761 | 28.44 | 3.30 | 16 | 2 |
Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka)
Chaminda Vaas was one of the most successful new ball bowlers to ever play for Sri Lanka and finds himself in 10th position in the list of most wickets in international cricket by a bowler. The former left-arm medium pacer was a constant wicket taker for Sri Lanka and had a ability to swing and seam the ball with his skill. Vaas has appeared in 111 Tests, 322 ODIs and six T20Is taking 761 wickets across formats.
Waqar Younis (Pakistan)
The former Pakistani right-arm pacer Waqar Younis was known for his reverse-swing deliveries in the decade of 90s. Also popular with the nickname ‘’The Burewala Express’, Waqar is one of the greatest fast bowlers from Pakistan to ever play the game. After his retirement from International cricket in 2003, Waqar took on coaching duties and served as a bowling coach for Pakistan from 2006 to 2007. He has represented Pakistan in 87 Tests and 262 ODIs, taking 789 wickets in both formats combined.
Shaun Pollock (South Africa)
Shaun Pollock turned out to be another cricketer from the family where his father Peter Pollock led the South African side in the 1960s and his uncle Graeme Pollock was one of the finest batters to play the game. Pollock may have also been able to make his ancestors proud as he is the eighth highest wicket taker of all time in international cricket. Having played 108 Tests, 303 ODIs and 12 T20Is. Pollock has scalped 829 wickets across all formats.
Stuart Broad (England)
The former right-arm pacer Stuart Broad is one of the best fast bowlers from England, especially in Tests. Broad was known for his new-ball partnerships with James Anderson that sustained England’s Test attack for years. He is the second leading wicket taker for England in Test cricket and bid adieu to the game after the Ashes in 2023. In his 167 Tests, 121 ODIs and 56 T20Is, Stuart Broad has taken 847 wickets.
Wasim Akram (Pakistan)
Wasim Akram was a special bowler with the ability to swing the ball both ways. The former left-arm pacer from Pakistan is considered as one of the fast bowlers of all time. He claims the sixth spot in the list of most wickets in international cricket. Having played 104 Tests and 355 ODIs, Wasim has ended up 916 wickets across both formats.
Glenn McGrath (Australia)
Australia’s Glenn McGrath earns the fifth spot in the list. The former right-arm pacer didn’t need to do anything extra to get success and had a ability to take wickets in crucial moments for Australia. McGrath has appeared in 124 Tests, 250 ODIs and two T20Is, taking 949 wickets across formats.
Anil Kumble (India)
Anil Kumble will always be considered as one of the best spinners to ever play India. The former right-arm leg break spinner has very special records under his name like becoming the first spinner to take 300 Test wickets for India and being one of the three bowlers to take all 10 wickets in a single innings of a Test match. Having payed 132 Tests and 271 ODIs, Kumble is the fourth highest wicket taker in international cricket with 956 scalps across formats. Do you also check out the top 10 India Best Bowlers list
James Anderson (England)
With Stuart Broad taking retirement from international cricket in July, 2023, James Anderson now remains the only active player to get featured on top 10 of the list. The veteran right-arm pacer from England is still a nightmare for many batters around the world in Test cricket even at the age of 41 years. Having played for England in 183 Tests, 194 ODIs and 19 T20Is, Anderson has taken 977 wickets across formats so far and is only 23 scalps away from the milestone of 1000 international wickets.
Shane Warne (Australia)
The absolute legend of the game, Australia’s Shane Warne will always be remembered as one of the greatest spinners to ever play the game of cricket. The right-arm spinner shocked everyone when he bowled the Ball of the Century on 4th of June in 1993. Owning the second spot in the list , Warne is also only bowler after Muthiah Muralidaran to achieve the milestone of 1000 international wickets. Having played 145 Tests and 194 ODIs, Shane Warne has taken 1001 wickets in his international career.
Muthiah Muralidaran (Sri Lanka)
Being on the top of the list, Muthiah Muralidaran is among the greatest bowlers in international cricket. The Sri Lankan legend was a nightmare for the batters during his stint and is the first ever bowler to cross 1000 wickets in international cricket. In his 133 Tests, 350 ODIs and 12 ODIs, Muralidaran taken 1347 scalps across formats.
Recent Post
FAQs
Who has the most wicket in cricket history?
Muthian Muralidaran is the all time leading wicket taker in the history of cricket with 1347 scalps across formats.
Who has taken 2 6 wicket haul?
Ajantha Mendis from Sri Lanka is the only bowler to take two six-wicket hauls in T20I cricket.
Who has the most wickets in ODI history?
Muttiah Muralidaran is the all time leading wicket taker in ODIs with with 534 wickets in 350 games.