Top 5 bowlers with most 5-wicket hauls in test cricket

Two Indians are among the top five bowlers with most five-wicket hauls in test cricket.

Test cricket is the toughest format of the game with a rich history. Test cricket began in the 19th century when the bowlers usually dominated due to the bowling-friendly pitches. As the time progressed, conditions and rules changed.

146 years of the game have given a spate of legendary bowlers in the longest format. The 1990s and 2000s eras were among the most fascinating periods in test cricket’s history with some great contests between legendary batters and bowlers.

Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan is leading the wickets chart in test cricket. Apart from Muralitharan, there are a few other names who played winning roles for their sides in test cricket by taking five-wicket hauls consistently.

Let’s have a look at the top five bowlers with the most 5-wicket hauls in test cricket.

5. Anil Kumble (India) – 35

Former Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble is India’s leading wicket-taker in test cricket. Kumble is the only Indian bowler with 600 plus test scalps. Kumble was one of India’s biggest match-winner in test cricket. He took 35 five-wicket hauls in 132 test matches. Kumble also holds the record being only Indian to take 10 wickets in an innings in tests, a feat he achieved against Pakistan at Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi in 1999.

4. Ravi Ashwin (India) – 36

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is the second Indian bowler to pick 500 or more test wickets. Having made his debut in 2011, Ashwin has been leading India’s charge in the spin bowling department for over a decade and has been a huge reason for India becoming an invincible test side at home. Ashwin has picked 36 five-wicket hauls in 100 test matches so far in his career.

3. Sir Richard Hadlee (New Zealand) – 36

Legendary New Zealand all-rounder Sir Richard Hadlee finished his test cricket career as one of the greatest of the game. Hadlee played 86 test matches and picked 431 wickets. Hadlee was the leading wicket-taker in test cricket until Kapil Dev overtook him in 1994. Hadlee picked 36 five-wicket hauls during his test career.

2. Shane Warne (Australia) – 37

Late Australian cricketer Shane Warne was the first bowler in test cricket to pick 700 wickets. Warne played 145 tests and snared 708 wickets in his career. His feat was incredible as he picked up 319 of his wickets in Australia, where pacers always dominated. Warne bagged 37 five-wicket hauls in his test career.

1. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) – 67

Former Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan is the leading wicket-taker in test cricket. Muralitharan is the only bowler to pick 800 test wickets. These numbers seem unattainable for any other bowler in the future. Muralitharan played 133 test matches and picked up 800 wickets at an average of 22.73. He bagged 67 five-wicket hauls in his test career.

(All stats updated till 11th August, 2024)

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