Most Wickets in Test Cricket | Top 10 Highest Wicket-Takers

Most wickets in Test cricket is the most important record in the red-ball game. With 800 wickets, the former Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan is far ahead of the current crop. We look at the top leading wicket-takers in Test cricket.

Most Wickets in Test Cricket – The Incredible Muralitharan

Muttiah Muralitharan is one of the greatest spinners to have ever graced cricket. The off-spinner, who made his debut in 1992, has played an integral part in Sri Lanka’s rise to prominence. He took his five-wicket Test haul against South Africa in a home series in 1993. Muralitharan went on to take another 66 five-fers in the game’s longest format.

The Kandy-born cricketer courted controversies over his bowling action several times during his career. However, he proved his detractors wrong and finished his Test career with 800 wickets. He is the lone bowler to take a ten-wicket haul against every Test-playing nation. (Afghanistan and Ireland were granted Test cricket status after Muralitharan’s retirement). 

As T20 is prioritized over playing Test cricket by major cricket boards, Muralitharan is unlikely to be overtaken by anyone in the near future. He will hold the record for getting the Most wickets in Test cricket (overall). 

Warne & England Duo

Legendary late Shane Warne is second in the Test wickets chart. The charismatic Australian spinner has 708 wickets to his name. He was the first to take 700 wickets and scored over 3000 runs for the Kangaroos in red ball cricket. In March 2002, he passed away at the age of 52. 

England pace bowling pair James Anderson and Stuart Broad are the only active cricketers to have taken more than 500 wickets in Tests. Anderson, who is 40, is a few scalps away from joining Warne in the 700-club. Meanwhile, his teammate Broad is close to 600 wickets. Both players will play a key role in England’s visit to New Zealand and the upcoming Ashes at home in the summer. 

For India

Anil Kumble was one of the grittiest and most hardworking cricketers to have played for India. Popularly known as Jumbo, the tall leg-spinner has clinched 619 wickets in Tests. Kumble, who has bowled more than 40,000 balls in the longest format of the game, captained India in 14 Test matches. 

In an 18-year-long career, Kumble has produced many memorable moments on the field. He became the second cricketer after Jim Laker to pick up all ten wickets in an innings. It was against arch-rivals Pakistan at Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in 1999. Kumble has the best figures in an innings by an Indian spinner in Australia – 8/141.

Most wickets in Test cricket | Top 10 Highest Wicket-takers

Here is the list of Top 10 players who got the most wickets in the history of Test Cricket. 

Most wickets in Test cricket | In One Single Match

Former England spinner Jim Laker is the highest wicket-taker in a Test match. In 1956, the Englishman took 19 wickets against Australia at Old Trafford. He claimed 9/37 in the first innings and took all ten wickets in the next, helping England clinch a crushing innings victory over its Ashes rivals. 

Leg-spinner Narendra Hirwani has the best bowling figures in a Test match by a debutant. He took eight wickets in both innings and finished the match with record figures of 16-136. India clinched a thumping 255-run win over West Indies at Chidambaram Stadium. 

Laker, Kumble, and Ajaz

Jim Laker, Anil Kumble, and Ajaz Patel are the only three players to have taken ten wickets in an innings. The Englishman is the first player to grab 10/10. Meanwhile, Kumble became the second player and the first Asian to dismiss all ten batters. New Zealand left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel joined the club after removing all ten Indian batters at Wankhede Stadium in 2021. 

Muttiah Muralitharan remains the only player to have two nine-wicket hauls in an innings. Meanwhile, Richard Hadlee, Kapil Dev, Abdul Qadir, and a few others have a nine-fer in Test cricket.

Except for a few, many of these players are retired now. So the record for the Most wickets in Test cricket will be with Muralitharan for long. 

FAQs about Most Wickets in Test Cricket

Who has taken 10 wickets in Test match?

Jim Laker (vs Australia in 1956), Anil Kumble (vs Pakistan in 1999), and Ajaz Patel (vs India in 2021) have taken ten wickets in an innings in a Test match.

Which fast bowler was known as the Sultan of Swing?

Wasim Akram is nicknamed as Sultan of Swing. He has taken 414 wickets for Pakistan in Tests.

How many wickets did Kapil Dev take in Tests? 

Kapil Dev has claimed 434 wickets in Test cricket. The Haryana Hurricane is the leading wicket-taker in Tests among Indian fast bowlers.