The top five wicket-takers in Test cricket history have consistently dominated with their skill, endurance, and match-winning performances. These legendary bowlers have set benchmarks through years of dedication, adapting to various conditions and opponents. Their remarkable achievements reflect the evolution of bowling in the longest format, inspiring generations and securing their place among cricket’s all-time greats.
Test Cricket: Stuart Broad (England) – 604 wickets
Stuart Broad etched his name into cricketing history during the 2023 Ashes series by becoming only the second fast bowler to claim 600 Test wickets, joining long-time teammate James Anderson in this elite club.
Making his Test debut in 2007, Broad evolved into one of England’s finest pacers. Over a 166-match career, the Nottingham-born seamer took 604 wickets, including 20 five-wicket hauls. His career-best figures—8 for 15—came in a sensational spell against Australia in the 2015 Ashes.
Not just a bowler, Broad proved his mettle with the bat as well, registering a memorable 169 against Pakistan. He’s also one of the rare bowlers to take more than one Test hat-trick.
Anil Kumble (India) – 619 wickets
Legendary Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble ranks fourth on the all-time list with 619 wickets from 132 Tests. Debuting in 1990 against England, he played his final Test in 2008 against Australia.
Kumble recorded 35 five-wicket hauls, but his most iconic moment came in 1999 when he took all 10 wickets in an innings (10/74) against Pakistan in Delhi—becoming only the second bowler ever to achieve this feat after Jim Laker.
James Anderson (England) – 701 wickets
James Anderson, widely regarded as England’s greatest fast bowler, bid farewell to Test cricket in July 2024 after a remarkable 21-year career. He played 188 Tests—second only to Sachin Tendulkar’s 200—and took 701 wickets, the most by any pace bowler in history.
With 32 five-wicket hauls and unmatched swing mastery, Anderson leaves behind a legacy that has shaped modern fast bowling.
Test Cricket: Shane Warne (Australia) – 708 wickets
The late Shane Warne redefined leg-spin bowling with his flair, guile, and unmatched charisma. Debuting in 1992 against India, he became the first bowler to cross the 700-wicket mark, Test Cricket, eventually ending his career with 708 wickets from 145 Tests.
His record includes 37 five-wicket hauls and a memorable hat-trick against England in 1994. Tragically, the cricket world lost Warne in 2022 at the age of 52.
Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) – 800 wickets
Sitting atop the list is Muttiah Muralitharan, whose astonishing tally of 800 Test wickets remains unmatched. Making his debut in 1992 against Australia, Murali dazzled cricket fans for nearly two decades with his unorthodox, and often controversial, bowling action.
Test Cricket : Across 133 Tests, he collected a staggering 67 five-wicket hauls and remains the only bowler in Test history to claim two nine-wicket innings. With no active player close to his tally, Murali’s record seems destined to stand the test of time.
