Test cricket is the toughest format of the game. Bowlers need patience, accuracy, fitness, and mental strength to succeed over five long days. Over the years, only a few bowlers have managed to dominate consistently and take hundreds of wickets against the world’s best batters.
At the top of this elite list stands Muttiah Muralitharan, whose record of 800 Test wickets remains unmatched. Along with him, legends like Shane Warne and James Anderson have defined different eras of Test cricket.
This article looks at the top 10 wicket-takers in Test cricket history, with simple explanations and clear stats.
Top 10 Most Wicket-Takers in Test Cricket (All-Time)
| Rank | Player | Country | Matches | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka | 133 | 800 |
| 2 | Shane Warne | Australia | 145 | 708 |
| 3 | James Anderson | England | 188 | 704 |
| 4 | Anil Kumble | India | 132 | 619 |
| 5 | Stuart Broad | England | 167 | 604 |
| 6 | Nathan Lyon | Australia | 141 | 567 |
| 7 | Glenn McGrath | Australia | 124 | 563 |
| 8 | Ravichandran Ashwin | India | 106 | 537 |
| 9 | Courtney Walsh | West Indies | 132 | 519 |
| 10 | Dale Steyn | South Africa | 93 | 439 |
1. Muttiah Muralitharan – 800 Wickets
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Career Span | 1992–2010 |
| Matches | 133 |
| Innings | 230 |
| Wickets | 800 |
| Average | 22.72 |
| Best Bowling | 9/51 |
Muralitharan is the highest wicket-taker in Test history. His unique bowling action, sharp turn, and control troubled batters in all conditions. He was the backbone of Sri Lanka’s bowling attack for nearly two decades and regularly won matches on his own.
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2. Shane Warne – 708 Wickets
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Career Span | 1992–2007 |
| Matches | 145 |
| Innings | 273 |
| Wickets | 708 |
| Average | 25.41 |
| Best Bowling | 8/71 |
Shane Warne revived leg-spin in world cricket. His variations, mindset, and ability to perform in big matches—especially the Ashes—made him one of the most influential cricketers ever.
3. James Anderson – 704 Wickets
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Career Span | 2003–2024 |
| Matches | 188 |
| Innings | 350 |
| Wickets | 704 |
| Average | 26.45 |
| Best Bowling | 7/42 |
James Anderson is the most successful fast bowler in Test cricket. Famous for swing bowling, especially in English conditions, his long career shows exceptional fitness and skill.
4. Anil Kumble – 619 Wickets
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Career Span | 1990–2008 |
| Matches | 132 |
| Innings | 236 |
| Wickets | 619 |
| Average | 29.65 |
| Best Bowling | 10/74 |
Anil Kumble relied on accuracy and bounce rather than big spin. His 10-wicket haul against Pakistan in 1999 remains one of the greatest moments in Test cricket history.
5. Stuart Broad – 604 Wickets
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Career Span | 2007–2023 |
| Matches | 167 |
| Innings | 309 |
| Wickets | 604 |
| Average | 27.68 |
| Best Bowling | 8/15 |
Stuart Broad was known for game-changing spells, often taking multiple wickets in a single session. His partnership with Anderson became one of the best in Test history.
6. Nathan Lyon – 567 Wickets
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Career Span | 2011–2025 |
| Matches | 141 |
| Innings | 262 |
| Wickets | 567 |
| Average | 30.15 |
| Best Bowling (BBI) | 8/50 |
Nathan Lyon is Australia’s most successful off-spinner in Test cricket history. With 567 wickets in 141 matches, Lyon surpassed many greats through sheer consistency, discipline, and durability.
Unlike flashy spin bowlers, Lyon relied on bounce, drift, and subtle turn, making him effective on all types of pitches. His performances in Ashes series, tours of Asia, and long home seasons played a major role in Australia’s Test success over more than a decade.
7. Glenn McGrath – 563 Wickets
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Career Span | 1993–2007 |
| Matches | 124 |
| Innings | 243 |
| Wickets | 563 |
| Average | 21.64 |
| Best Bowling | 8/24 |
Glenn McGrath’s strength was his perfect line and length. He consistently dismissed top batters and played a major role in Australia’s dominance during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
8. Ravichandran Ashwin – 537 Wickets
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Career Span | 2011–2024 |
| Matches | 106 |
| Innings | 200 |
| Wickets | 537 |
| Average | 24.00 |
| Best Bowling | 7/59 |
Ashwin combined skill with intelligence. His variations and control made him deadly on Indian pitches and highly effective in overseas wins as well.
Ashwin was central to India’s strong home record and also contributed to important overseas Test wins.
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9. Courtney Walsh – 519 Wickets
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Career Span | 1984–2001 |
| Matches | 132 |
| Innings | 242 |
| Wickets | 519 |
| Average | 24.44 |
| Best Bowling | 7/37 |
Courtney Walsh was the first bowler to reach 500 Test wickets. His stamina, discipline, and leadership kept West Indies competitive for many years.
His ability to maintain pressure over long spells made him one of the most respected fast bowlers of his era.
10. Dale Steyn – 439 Wickets
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Career Span | 2004–2019 |
| Matches | 93 |
| Innings | 171 |
| Wickets | 439 |
| Average | 22.95 |
| Best Bowling | 7/51 |
Dale Steyn was one of the fastest and most aggressive bowlers in Test cricket. His pace and swing troubled batters across the world.
Steyn’s performances were especially impactful in overseas conditions, helping South Africa become a dominant Test side.
Summary
Muttiah Muralitharan’s record of 800 Test wickets stands as one of cricket’s greatest achievements. Alongside him, legends like Shane Warne, James Anderson, Anil Kumble, and Dale Steyn shaped different eras with their unique bowling styles.
These bowlers showed that success in Test cricket comes from skill, discipline, and consistency over many years. Their records continue to inspire young bowlers, setting a benchmark that future generations will aim to reach.
