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Cricket has been in the headlines in recent weeks thanks to the T20 World Cup, which has attempted to take America by storm. Whether it has done that or not is up for debate, however, the Stars and Stripes did their utmost to impress on home soil. They stunned Pakistan in the group stage en route to qualifying for the Super Eights, where their journey ultimately came to an end. Now, the competition has reached its latter stages, and India, England, South Africa and underdogs Afghanistan will battle it out for the trophy.
When that tournament reaches its conclusion in Barbados, eyes will be back on the longest format of the game when a plethora of high-profile Test Series take place. The biggest of the lot is the Ashes contested by Australia and England, and the latest installment in cricket’s oldest rivalry gets underway from the Land Down Under this November. With the famed Australian dry pitches, spin bowling has often taken centre stage. But who are the greatest spinners of all time? Let’s find out.
Best Spinner in the World of All Time
1. Muttiah Muralitharan
When discussing the greatest bowlers that have ever lived, Muttiah Muralitharan’s name inevitably rises to the top. The Sri Lankan wizard has taken more wickets in international cricket than any other player, with a staggering 1,347 wickets across Tests and ODIs, with his record of 800 in the game’s longest form perhaps a number that will never be topped.
Murali was characterized by his unique – almost dislocation-like – wrist action which brought bucketloads of spin that bamboozled opposite batsmen. His doosra – a delivery that spins away from the right-handed batsman akin to a leg spinner – was revolutionary, and many finger spinners still try to replicate it to this day. Playing regularly in the sub-continent, Muralitharan was naturally suited to those dryer pitches, but he could take wickets anywhere on the planet including on the greener surfaces in England.
2. Shane Warne
Late, great Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne revolutionized the role of spin bowling in modern cricket. His prowess with the ball saw him capture 708 Test wickets, the second-highest in history behind the aforementioned Murali, and his “Ball of the Century,” which left England’s Mike Gatting dumbfounded – a man previously known for decimating leg spinners for years – in the 1993 Ashes series is perhaps the most famous delivery ever bowled.
Warne was known for his charisma on and off the field, enjoying all the pleasures life had to offer such as nights out on the town and gambling at the tables. The King of Spin was an avid poker player, often playing in tournaments all over the world and even sponsoring well-known companies throughout the latter stages of his career. He is one of the many big casino winners who won real money, bagging a cool $23,000 at a World Series of Poker Main Event in July 2015.
On the pitch, Warne was a master of deception, using flight, drift, and sharp turn to outfox batsmen. His flipper and googly were feared weapons, but he could read the game and adapt his tactics that truly set him apart. His heroics in the 2005 Ashes Series will never be forgotten, spinning the ball almost 90 degrees to dismiss English opener Andrew Strauss in the second test at Edgbaston, one of the whopping 40 wickets he took that summer.
3. Anil Kumble
India’s Anil Kumble was a different kind of spin bowler. Unlike the others on this list, he relied less on extravagant turns and more on accuracy, bounce, and subtle variations. His relentless style earned him 619 Test wickets, making him the Men in Blue’s highest wicket-taker and the fourth-highest of all time. His finest hor came against archrivals Pakistan back in 1999, where he took all ten wickets in an innings, becoming just the second player in history to do so.
His unerring accuracy and competitive spirit made him a vital cog in the Indian cricket team for nearly two decades, helping them reach the summit of the world rankings alongside the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and captain Rahul Dravid. Kumble’s ability to perform consistently across different conditions and his remarkable resilience ensured his status as one of the greats.
4. Nathan Lyon
Nathan Lyon is the only player that still plays the game today that features on our list. Not much was expected of him when he forced his way into the Australian bowling attack in the early 2010s, with the selectors initially preferring Ashton Agar and fearsome batsman Steve Smtih, who was originally called up as a leg spinner. However, Lyon forced his way into the side for the third test of the 2013 Ashes Series, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Australia’s premier off-spinner has quietly climbed the ranks to become one of the greatest spin bowlers of his era. His success lies in his classical off-spin technique, characterized by excellent control, bounce, and clever use of angles. He has developed a reputation for being a match-winner, particularly in the subcontinent, where conditions often favor spinners. Lyon’s ability to maintain pressure and pick up crucial wickets in key moments has made him a valuable asset to Australian cricket, and the 530 wickets he has taken throughout his Test career is the seventh most of all time.
