Top 4 New Zealand bowlers fastest to 100 wickets in test cricket

15 New Zealand bowlers have taken 100 or more test wickets.

New Zealand’s bowling-friendly conditions, marked by green pitches and overcast conditions, pose a daunting challenge for batsmen. The country is generally regarded as a paradise for fast bowlers as they are significantly assisted with swing and seam movement.

While helpful pitches do provide a significant advantage for fast bowlers, sticking to the correct line and length becomes even more important in these conditions.

Over the years the Kiwi bowlers have mastered their skillset in utilizing the home conditions to full advantage. The fast bowling quality of New Zealand has been a constant highlight of their impressive performances at home in tests.

Milestones are an important part of our game and achieving 100 wickets is a coveted milestone for any bowler. New Zealand have had over a dozen bowlers who have achieved this remarkable feat.

On that note let’s look at the top four fastest New Zealand bowlers to take 100 wickets in test cricket.

Top four New Zealand bowlers fastest to 100 wickets in test cricket:

4. Bruce Taylor – 27 matches

Representing New Zealand from 1965 to 1973, Bruce Taylor was one of the finest all-rounders of that time. Having made his test debut against India in 1965 in Kolkata, Taylor stands as the fourth-fastest New Zealand bowler to take 100 wickets in test right now, a feat he achieved in 27 tests.

Taylor’s bowling average of 26.6 and his best bowling performance of 7/76 against the mighty West Indies highlights his bowling prowess. He played a total of 30 test matches and finished his career with 111 wickets.

3. Matt Henry – 26 matches

Matt Henry reached the milestone of 100 test wickets in his 26th test match. What makes Henry remarkable is the fact that he took only 31 wickets in the first 13 tests of his career and then hit a purple patch, picking up 69 wickets in the next 13 games.

Henry made his test debut against India in 2014 at Wellington. With Trent Boult moving away from test cricket and Kyle Jamieson injured, Henry is now getting regular chances in the test XI.

He has taken four test fifers in his career so far, registering his best bowling performance of 7/23 against South Africa at Christchurch in 2022.

2. Neil Wagner – 26 matches

Known for his relentless short-pitched bowling, Neil Wagner is also on this list. Debuting at the age of 26 against West Indies, the left-armer quickly rose through the ranks to become an enforcer in the Kiwi bowling lineup. Wagner took only 26 matches to complete 100 test wickets.

Wagner’s bowling average of 27.57 is a testament to his ability to find life on lifeless pitches. He retired in 2024 with 260 wickets to his name in 64 tests he played for his country.

1. Sir Richard Hadlee – 25 matches

The greatest Kiwi fast bowler to grace the game, Sir Richard Hadlee is the fastest New Zealand bowler to 100 test wickets, claiming it in his 25th test match.

Hadlee was a world-beating superstar in the 1970s and 1980s. He made his test debut in 1973 against Pakistan and went on to define fast bowling in his country. Known for his bowling accuracy and immense discipline, Hadlee became the first Kiwi bowler to take 400 test wickets.

His best bowling figures of 9/52 vs Australia at Brisbane in 1985 remain the best bowling performance by a Kiwi on Australian shores. Hadlee retired in 1990 with 431 wickets to his name, which was then the most by any bowler in the longest format of the game.

(All stats updated till 17th October 2024.)

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