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As they say, if you really want to measure the temperament and prowess of a cricketer, analyze his test cricket records. Test cricket is undeniably the most extensive, physically and mentally draining format of all in International cricket. It puts the mettle of a cricket to test numerous times and carves the ultimate character.
When it comes to test cricket, one of the most commendable feats that test cricketers look up to is the most wickets in test cricket. Since the inception of test cricket, many cricketers have achieved this feat and set the bar high for upcoming generations every single time. Often, people search on Google queries like ‘leading test wicket takers’ or ‘highest wicket taker in test cricket’ to satiate and update their general knowledge on cricket.
In this all-inclusive blog post, we bring you the most extensive list of cricketers with the most test wickets and the name of the highest wicket taker in International test cricket.
List of Leading Most Test Wickets Takers:
| Player | Span | Mat | Wkts | BBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M Muralidaran (ICC/SL) | 1992-2010 | 133 | 800 | 9/51 |
| SK Warne (AUS) | 1992-2007 | 145 | 708 | 8/71 |
| JM Anderson (ENG) | 2003-2024 | 188 | 704 | 7/42 |
| A Kumble (IND) | 1990-2008 | 132 | 619 | 10/74 |
| SCJ Broad (ENG) | 2007-2023 | 167 | 604 | 8/15 |
| GD McGrath (AUS) | 1993-2007 | 124 | 563 | 8/24 |
| NM Lyon (AUS) | 2011-2024* | 129 | 530 | 8/50 |
| CA Walsh (WI) | 1984-2001 | 132 | 519 | 7/37 |
| R Ashwin (IND) | 2011-2024* | 102 | 527 | 7/59 |
| DW Steyn (SA) | 2004-2019 | 93 | 439 | 7/51 |
From the above figures, it’s crystal clear that Muttiah Murlitharan of Sri Lanka is the most wicket taker in test cricket with a colossal 800 wickets in 133 international test cricket matches. Out of the top 10 wicket takers in test cricket, Ravichandran Ashwin, James Anderson, and Nathan Lyon are the only active players who still have the chance to write their names in the pages of history book by smashing the current record of most test wickets.
Most Test Wickets in a Calendar Year
It’s no less than a remarkable and laud-worthy achievement for any test bowler to be on the list of most test wickets in a calendar year. It really takes some serious talent, hard work, and meticulous analysis to constantly deliver dazzling performances throughout the year and keep taking wickets after wickets. Below, we have jotted down the names of the top 20 players with the most test wickets in a calendar year.
| Player | Year | Mat | Inns | Balls | Wkts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SK Warne (AUS) | 2005 | 15 | 30 | 4336 | 96 |
| M Muralidharan (SL) | 2006 | 11 | 21 | 3532 | 90 |
| DK Lillee (AUS) | 1981 | 13 | 25 | 3710 | 85 |
| AA Donald (SA) | 1998 | 14 | 26 | 3232 | 80 |
| M Muralidharan (SL) | 2001 | 12 | 23 | 4688 | 80 |
| J Garner (WI) | 1984 | 15 | 29 | 3626 | 79 |
| M Muralidharan (SL) | 2000 | 10 | 17 | 3740 | 75 |
| N Kapil Dev (IND) | 1983 | 18 | 25 | 3469 | 75 |
| DW Steyn (SA) | 2008 | 13 | 24 | 2653 | 74 |
| Kapil Dev (IND) | 1979 | 17 | 29 | 3553 | 74 |
| A Kumble (IND) | 2004 | 12 | 23 | 3680 | 74 |
| MD Marshall (WI) | 1984 | 13 | 25 | 3251 | 73 |
| SK Warne (AUS) | 1993 | 16 | 29 | 5054 | 72 |
| R Ashwin (IND) | 2016 | 12 | 23 | 3508 | 72 |
| GD McKenzie (AUS) | 1964 | 14 | 25 | 4106 | 71 |
| SK Warne (AUS) | 1994 | 10 | 19 | 3774 | 70 |
| SK Warne (AUS) | 2004 | 12 | 22 | 3472 | 70 |
| SM Pollock (SA) | 1998 | 14 | 25 | 3592 | 69 |
| M Muralidharan (SL) | 1998 | 8 | 16 | 3302 | 68 |
| GD McGrath (AUS) | 2001 | 14 | 27 | 3508 | 68 |
| A Flintoff (ENG/ICC) | 2005 | 14 | 26 | 3194 | 68 |
| SK Warne (AUS) | 1997 | 15 | 28 | 4091 | 68 |
| SK Warne (AUS) | 2002 | 10 | 20 | 2874 | 67 |
| GD McGrath (AUS) | 1999 | 14 | 27 | 3364 | 67 |
| SJ Harmison (ENG) | 2004 | 13 | 25 | 3161 | 67 |
| IT Botham (ENG) | 1978 | 12 | 23 | 2877 | 66 |
FAQs
Who Has The Most Wickets in International Test Cricket?
Sri Lankan spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan owns the record of the highest wicket taker in test cricket with 800 test wickets in 133 international matches in his kitty.
Who Was The First Bowler to Take 500 International Test Wickets?
This commendable feat was first achieved by the West indies pace sensation Courtney Walsh who holds the record of first bowler to take 500 international test wickets.
Who Was The First Bowler To Take 10 Wickets in a Test Inning?
Jim Laker of England was the first bowler to achieve the remarkable feat of achieving 10 wickets in a test inning. He achieved the feat in 1956. Apart from Jim Laker, Anil Kumble from India and Azaz Patel from New Zealand also took 10 wickets in a test inning.
Which Fast Bowler Has The Most Test Wickets?
James Anderson of England cricket team has the most test wickets as a fast bowler. He currently has 690 wickets in 183 matches and the count is still going strong.
Who Took The Fastest 500 Test Wickets?
Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka achieved the coveted feat of taking the fastest 500 test wickets merely in 87 test matches. He is currently the leading wicket taker in test cricket.
