In test format, it’s the bowlers on whom the destiny of a team depends. They are the ones who decide if a team has to chase a small or large total. A bowler’s role is more significant in this format. Let’s have a look at the 10 highest wicket-takers in Test cricket.

Top 10 highest wicket-takers in Test cricket history

1. M Muralidaran- 800

The Sri Lankan former cricketer has held records for the most wickets in Test as well as One Day Internationals. He is considered synonymous with Sachin Tendulkar in the bowling department, scalping 800 wickets in Test. He retired from this format in 2010.

2. SK Warne- 708

Australian cricketer Late Shane Warne is considered to be one of the greatest bowlers in the history of cricket. he was featured in 145 Test matches where he picked up 708 wickets in total. This was the highest number till 2007.

3. JM Anderson- 675

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 08: James Anderson of England celebrates after taking the wicket of Kraigg Braithwaite of the West Indies, his 500th test wicket during day two of the 3rd Investec Test Match between England and the West Indies at Lord’s Cricket Ground on September 8, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) Credits- CricTracker

Anderson became the first pacer in Test cricket to claim 650 wickets. He was the first English bowler to reach 400, 500, and 600 wickets in Test cricket. It will be interesting to see if he can cross the 700 mark in his career.

4. A Kumble- 619

Fourth on the list is former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble. He’s widely known for his leg spin bowling ability in the history of test cricket. He picked 619 wickets in the format. He was appointed as the head coach of India and under him, India became the No.1 team in tests but still, he was forced to step down as the then-captain Kohli informed BCCI that some players were uncomfortable with Kumble’s”intimidating” style of man management.

5. SCJ Broad- 566

Stuart Broad is a right-arm fast-medium bowler who made his Test debut in 2007, December 9 against Sri Lanka. He has scalped a total of 566 wickets in the longest format and played his last game on September 8, 2022. His best bowling figure was 8/15 which he took in the first innings of the fourth and decisive Test of the 2015 Ashes series.

6. GD McGrath- 563

Australian cricketer McGrath has taken 563 wickets in 124 Test matches. He picked the wickets at an average of 21.64 at an economic rate of 2.49. His best bowling figure was 8/24. His last Test was the fifth Ashes Test against England in Sydney in January 2007, where he scalped his last wicket.

7. CA Walsh- 519

The Jamaican cricketer has picked 519 wickets and has bowled more than 5000 overs in the format. He played a total of 132 test matches and his best figure was 7/37 with an average of 24.44.

8. NM Lyon- 454

Lyon has scalped 454 wickets in his Test career. By 2015, he became Australia’s most successful test off-spinner surpassing Hugh Trumble’s tally of 141 wickets. In his debut, he ended with a figure of 5/34 in the first innings. In the world, he became the 131st player to pick five wickets in a debut.

9. R Ashwin- 443

R Ashwin made his Test debut against Sri Lanka at Nagpur and became the fastest bowler to scalp 300 wickets in his 54th Test surpassing Dennis Lillee. His best match figure was 7/59 at a bowling average of 24.13. Ben Stokes is the batter who got dismissed by Ashwin the most, 200 times.

10. DW Steyn- 439

DW Steyn became the fastest bowler to scalp 400 wickets in the Test format. It took him 16,634 deliveries to achieve this feat finally in 2017. He reached 100 Test wickets in 2008, becoming the 15th-fastest player overall and the quickest South African at the time. Steyn won the ICC Test Player of the Year award in September of that year after amassing 86 wickets in 14 games at an average of 18.10.