Taking wickets is the ultimate goal of a bowler in Test cricket. Over the years, we have seen many legendary bowlers ply their trade in the red-ball format, fetching heaps of wickets.
They have juggled between milestones, starting from their very first wicket to the sets of hundred scalps and so on. But only a handful of them eclipsed the mountain of 500 Test wickets.
Getting to that landmark is a special achievement for any bowler and shows their calibre to succeed in the longest format.
Here, we’ll look at the list of bowlers who have taken 500 wickets in Test cricket.
1. Courtney Walsh (West Indies)
Courtney Walsh was the first-ever bowler to reach 500 wickets in Test cricket. The West Indian pacer reached the magical figures in his 129th Test.
Walsh stoked fear among the batters with his dreading pace, which propelled him to new heights. He featured in 132 Tests and took 519 wickets at an average of 24.44, including 22 five-fors.
2. Shane Warne (Australia)
Shane Warne was the second bowler to join this elite list on March 8, 2004. The late Australian spinner took his 500th Test wicket in his 108th match.
The legendary spinner needs no introduction. Warne left batters awestruck with his leg spin mastery.
In his illustrious Test career, Warne racked up 708 wickets — the second-most scalps in the format — in 145 matches at an average of 25.41. He picked up 35 five-wicket and 10 ten-wicket hauls to go with his wickets tally.
3. Muthiah Muralidaran (Sri Lanka)
8 days later, Muthiah Muralidaran followed Warne, scalping his 500th wicket in 87 Tests. He zipped past Warne in terms of matches taken, making him the fastest bowler to 500 Test wickets.
The Sri Lankan off-spinner could spin the ball on almost any pitch. He was a smiling assassin who troubled batters with his off-spin skills.
Murali racked up a record 800 wickets — the only man to reach those numbers in Tests — for Sri Lanka in 133 matches. He also grabbed 67 five-wicket and 22 ten-wicket hauls, which are the most by any bowler.
4. Glenn McGrath (Australia)
In 2005, Glenn McGrath became the second Australian and the second pacer to scalp 500 Test wickets. His milestone wicket came against rival England at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground.
McGrath sits among the finest fast bowlers produced by Australia. He possessed accurate line and length backed by his pace.
McGrath donned the baggy green in 124 Tests, picking up 563 scalps at an average of 21.64.
5. Anil Kumble (India)
Just the second wrist spinner and the first Indian on the list, Anil Kumble became the fifth bowler to join the block. He took 110 matches to enter the 500-wicket club in Tests.
The Indian leggie wasn’t a big turner of the ball. Rather, he focused on line and length, with variation in pace, which surprised batters.
Kumble represented India in 132 Tests and grabbed 619 wickets at 29.65 a piece, including 35 five-fors and 8 ten-fors.
Also Read | 5 Best Leg Spinners in Cricket History
6. James Anderson (England)
After almost 11 years, the world witnessed a modern-day great step up among the legends. James Anderson celebrated his 500th scalp at Lord’s in his 129th Test.
Anderson was a fine operator of the red ball for England, placing him among the country’s best pacers. He swung the ball both ways with much finesse, especially in the home conditions.
Jimmy hung up his boots in July 2024 with 704 wickets in 188 matches, including 32 five-fors. His wickets tally is the highest by a pacer in the longest format.
7. Stuart Broad (England)
Stuart Broad joined his long-time partner Anderson in 2020. But he took a few more matches, dismissing his 500th victim in 140 Tests.
Broad was a wonderful new ball bowler who pushed the opposition on the back foot with his swing and bounce. No one can forget his cracking performance against Australia in the 2015 Ashes, as he cleaned up 8 for 15 in the first session.
Broad’s Test career spanned 167 matches that saw him take 604 wickets at an average of 27.68.
8. Nathan Lyon (Australia)
Nathan Lyon is known for his consistent performances. And the same consistency took him to the landmark of 500 Test wickets in December 2023.
He started as a groundstaff in Adelaide but has turned into an absolute great for Australia. Lyon sticks to the same line and length to get the better of the batter.
The Australian off-spinner is still going strong and will look to add more scalps to his tally in the future.
9. Ravichandran Ashwin (India)
Ravichandran Ashwin is the latest entrant to join this elite list. He nabbed his 500th wicket in his 98th Test, making him the second-fastest to the milestone.
Ashwin is one of the most knowledgeable cricketers, who knows how to set up his batters. The Indian off-spinner has plenty of tricks up his sleeve to dismiss batters.
Ashwin has some cricket left in him and is eager to add more wickets to his tally with his street smartness.
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