Top 5 Australian bowlers with most wickets in test cricket

Only three Australian bowlers have taken more than 500 wickets in test cricket.

The Australian Cricket team have been blessed with a spate of great, match-winning bowlers throughout their history. Known for their fast and bouncy pitches, Australia has not only produced some fearsome fast bowlers, but also has been home to a few legendary spinners.

The Australian bowling lineup has consistently delivered, scripting several famous wins for their team. While winning a test match requires a collective effort from the bowlers, some of these bowlers have taken the responsibility of taking the bulk of the wickets, registering their names in the history books.

On that note, let’s take a look at five Australian bowlers with the most wickets in test cricket.

Top five Australian bowlers with the most wickets in test cricket:

5. Denis Lillee – 355 wickets

One of the fastest bowlers of all time, Denis Lillee picked up 355 wickets in 70 tests at an average of only 23.92. He took 23 five-fors in his test career.

Known for their raw pace, the pair of Denis Lillee and Jeff Thompson were one of the most effective bowling duos of the 1970s and 1980s.

His best bowling performance of 7/83 against West Indies came in 1981 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Apart from being a great bowler, Lillee was also a useful lower-order batsman with a batting average of 15.

4. Mitchell Starc – 361 wickets

Left-arm speedster Mitchell Starc is one of the most fearsome pacers in the world. Known for his deadly in-swingers, Starc has been a mainstay in the Australian test team since his debut in 2011.

Starc has taken a total of 361 wickets in 90 matches in test cricket at an average of 27.85. Starc’s impressive record includes 14 test fifers. His best bowling figures of 6/50 came against Sri Lanka in 2016.

3. Nathan Lyon – 532 wickets

Nicknamed the “GOAT,” Nathan Lyon is Australia’s most successful off-spinner with 532 wickets in 130 tests at an average of 30.39.

What makes Lyon extraordinary is his immense discipline with his lengths. Lyon is also the only specialist bowler to play 100 consecutive test matches for Australia.

His control over the run flow, as proven by his economy of 2.93, has been the key to the success of his bowling partners as well.

2. Glenn McGrath – 563 wickets

Known for his impeccable line and length, Glenn McGrath stands as Australia’s most successful fast bowler in test cricket with 563 wickets to his name. Nicknamed ‘Pigeon,” McGrath registered 29 five-wicket hauls in his 14-year-long career.

McGrath snared his 563 wickets in 124 tests at an excellent average of 21.64. His best bowling figures of 8/24 came against Pakistan in 2004 at Perth.

1. Shane Warne – 708 wickets

Legendary leg spinner Shane Warne stands as the most successful Australian test bowler with 708 wickets. He also boasts the record of taking the second-most test wickets, only behind behind Muttiah Muralitharan (800).

What makes Warne stand out is the fact that he achieved this remarkable feat as a leg spinner while playing 69 of his 145 tests on pace-friendly Australian pitches.

Warne picked 708 wickets at an average of 25.41, including 37 five-wicket hauls, the most by an Australian bowler. His legacy stems beyond Australia, with leg-spinners around the world idolizing him. Sadly, Warne passed away in March 2022.

(All stats are updated till 30th November 2024)

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