Players to take Fastest 500 Wickets in Test Cricket

Ace India-pacer Ravichandran Ashwin achieved a new milestone in his Test career on 16th February, 2024, when he scalped his 500th Test wicket in the match against England at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot. With this, he surpassed Indian legend Anil Kumble to take the fastest 500 wickets in Test cricket and second-fastest after the Sri Lankan great Muttiah Muralidaran to achieve the milestone.

Ashwin has now joined the elite list of the players who have achieved the milestone of taking 500 wickets in Test wickets. In terms of number of matches, the right-arm off spinner took 98 matches to reach 500 wickets, while Muralidaran achieved the milestone in just 87 Test matches. However, Ashwin is now above Kumble in the list of fastest Indian player to take 500 Test wickets as the former achieved the feat in 105 matches. 

Fastest 500 Wickets in Test Cricket

In the following listicle, we will discuss about all nine players who have taken more than 500 wickets in Test cricket.

9. Ravichandran Ashwin (India)

Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is the latest entry in the list after he took his 500th Test wicket in a match against England in Rajkot. The 37-year-old is the only Indian cricketer after Anil Kumble to take 500 wickets in Test cricket. He is also in the second position after Muttiah Muralidaran to take the fastest 500 wickets in Tests. The only active cricketer in the elite list after England’s James Anderson and Australia’s Nathan Lyon, Ashwin has played 98 Test matches for India so far taking 500 wickets at an average of 23.88 and an economy rate of 2.78 (to be updated after the IND vs ENG third Test).  

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8. Nathan Lyon (Australia)

Another active cricketer in the list, Australian spinner Nathan Lyon achieved the milestone of 500 Test wickets in a match against Pakistan at Perth Cricket Ground in December 2023. He trapped Faheem Ashraf for his 500th dismissal in the longest format. Lyon is only the third Australian cricketer in the list after Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath. The right-arm spinner has taken 517 scalps in his 127 matches so far at an average of 30.73.

7. Courtney Walsh (West Indies)

The first person to achieve the milestone, West Indian great Courtney Walsh created history in March 2001, when he became the first-ever cricketer to cross 500 wickets in Test cricket. In his 129th Test match against South Africa at Port of Spain, Walsh took his 500th Test scalp and etched his name in history books. The former fast bowler from the Windies has taken 519 wickets in 132 Tests at an average of 24.44.

6. Glenn McGrath (Australia)

Former Australian fast bowler is another name in the list of players to 500 wickets in Test cricket. The right-arm pacer achieved the milestone against England at the iconic Lords Cricket Ground in July 2005, where he dismissed Marcus Trescothick as his 500th Test scalp. McGrath is only Shane Warne to be the fastest Australian cricketer to take 500 wickets in Test as he achieved the feat in his 110th outing in red-ball cricket. He has taken 563 scalps in 124 Test matches for the Baggy Greens at an average of 21.64.

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5. Stuart Broad (England)

Former England pacer Stuart Broad is among the few cricketers who have achieved the milestone of 600 wickets in Test cricket. He is also the only player from England after James Anderson to take more than 500 wickets in Test. The right-arm pacer achieved the milestone in his 140th Test match against West Indies at Manchester in 2020. It was Kraigg Brathwaite who became his 500th wicket. Broad has played 167 Test matches for England where he took 604 scalps at an average of 27.68. 

4. Anil Kumble (India)

One of the greatest spin bowlers from the country, Anil Kumble is the first Indian cricketer to take more than 500 wickets in Test cricket. The leg break spinner achieved the feat in his 105th Test match against England in Mohali in March 2006. It was Steve Harmison who became his 500th dismissal in Test cricket. Kumble ended his Test career with 619 scalps from 132 matches at an average of 29.65.

3. James Anderson (England)

The last active cricketer on the list, star England pacer James Anderson is third highest-wicket of all time in Test cricket. He achieved the milestone of 500 Test wickets in a match against West Indies at the Iconic Lords Cricket Ground in September 2017. Again it was Kraigg Brathwaite who turned out to be the 500th dismissal of another English pacer. Anderson is just 4 scalps away to take 700 wickets in Test. He has taken 696 wickets in 185 Test matches for England so far at an average of 26.39 (to be updated after the IND vs ENG third Test).

2. Shane Warne (Australia)

The absolute legend of the game, Shane Warne was known for his unplayable spin deliveries and was the only cricketer after Muttiah Muralidara to take more than 700 wickets in Test cricket. He is also the fastest player from Australia to take 500 wickets in Tests. The leg break spinner achieved the feat in his 108th Test match against Sri Lanka at Galle in March 2004. Warne is also the second in the list of top wicket-taker of all time in Test cricket with 708 scalps form 145 matches at an average of 25.41.

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1. Muttiah Muralidaran (Sri Lanka)

The list finally ends with none other than one of the greatest bowlers of all time, Muttiah Muralidaran. The Sri Lankan cricket legend is the fastest cricketer to take 500 wickets in Test cricket. Muralidaran achieved the feat in his 87th Test match against Australia at Kandy in March 2004. However, he didn’t stop there and became the fastest to take 600 wickets and 700 wickets in Test, and is the only cricketer to touch the milestone of 800 wickets in the format. Murali ended his Test career with 800 wickets from 133 matches at an average of 22.72.

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