Cricket, in its purest form, finds expression in test matches, a format that has stood the test of time, challenging players' skills, endurance, and tactical acumen over five grueling days. Among many facets defining a test match, bowling prowess often emerges as the decisive factor. A few have made it possible by successfully taking wickets and outsmarting batsmen to turn a match around. We will take a look at the top 10 bowlers with the most wickets in Test cricket history. First, let’s take a quick look at these bowling legends in a simple table before diving into the details: Top 10 Most Wickets in Test Cricket Career Rank Player Span Matches Innings Wickets Best Bowling Average Economy Strike Rate 1 M Muralidaran (ICC/SL) 1992-2010 133 230 800 9/51 22.72 2.47 55.04 2 SK Warne (AUS) 1992-2007 145 273 708 8/71 25.41 2.65 57.49 3 JM Anderson (ENG) 2003-2024 188 350 704 7/42 26.45 2.79 56.87 4 A Kumble (IND) 1990-2008 132 236 619 10/74 29.65 2.69 65.99 5 SCJ Broad (ENG) 2007-2023 167 309 604 8/15 27.68 2.97 55.79 6 GD McGrath (AUS) 1993-2007 124 243 563 8/24 21.64 2.49 51.95 7 NM Lyon (AUS) 2011-2024 129 242 530 8/50 30.28 2.93 61.81 8 R Ashwin (IND) 2011-2024 101 191 522 7/59 23.70 2.81 50.51 9 CA Walsh (WI) 1984-2001 132 242 519 7/37 24.44 2.53 57.84 10 DW Steyn (SA) 2004-2019 93 171 439 7/51 22.95 3.24 42.38 Muthiah Muralidaran (ICC/SL) - The Spin Wizard Image Source- Sportscraazy.com On the top of the list of most wickets in test cricket is Sri Lankan skipper Muttiah Muralidharan with 800 wickets. His career, which spanned from 1992 to 2010, speaks of his skill, consistency and unmatched ability to outplay strikers from all over the world. The maestro's unique performance with his amazing twists and turns has left even the most experienced players in shock. His best bowling figures of 9/51 against Zimbabwe show his class in Test Cricket. His average of 22.72 and economy rate of 2.47 shows his ability to sustain the pressure while taking wickets every time. The spin wizard's 67 five-wicket hauls and 22 ten-wicket hauls reflect his dominance in this longest format of the game. Also Read | DLS Method in Cricket: What It Is and How It Works Shane Warne (AUS) - The Leg-Spin Revolutionary Image Source- Al Jazeera Shane Warne was the dashing Australian leg-spinner, who changed the very face of spin bowling during his successful stint between 1992 and 2007. Leaving behind a legacy of taking 708 Test wickets. His incredible knack for turning the ball on any surface along with marvelous tactics made him one of the most feared bowlers in cricketing history. He was a match-winner for sure; his bowling figures of 8/71 speak for themselves. An average of 25.41 and an economy rate of 2.65 again testify to the threat he posed to batsmen. The "Ball of the Century" to Mike Gatting in 1993 is another incident etched in cricketing folklore and testifies to the ability to create magic on the cricket field. James Anderson (ENG) - The Swing King Image Source- ESPNcricinfo James Anderson will continue to be England's most successful batsman in 2024 as he defies all expectations and defies age, continuing to increase his tally of most test wickets to 704. He started in 2003, but his promise of quality, fitness, and adaptability has caught on. Anderson's best bowling figures of 7/42 show his class. His average of 26.45 and economy of 2.79 indicate his consistency and control. He is the top 3rd cricketer who took the highest wickets in test cricket. Anderson's longevity has redefined the path for fast bowlers in Test cricket. Anil Kumble (IND) - The Jumbo of Indian Cricket Image Source- Hindustan Times Fondly known as "Jumbo," Anil Kumble was the backbone of India's attack at the helm of bowling from 1990 to 2008. He took 619 Test wickets which is fourth most in this list. His tall height and unique style made him a tough opponent on any pitch. But it was his accuracy that was relentless and occasional variations in pace and bounce that allowed him to shine even on pitches that are usually well removed from the comfort zone of spinners. Kumble's crowning moment came when he took all 10 wickets in an innings against Pakistan in 1999, a feat reflected in his best bowling figures of 10/74. Also Read | Top 10 Cricketers with Most Runs in Test Cricket | The Big Hitters Stuart Broad (ENG) - The Big-Match Performer Image Source- ESPNcricinfo Broad had a test career that spanned from 2007 to 2023 during which he bagged 604 wickets, which is 5th highest wickets in test cricket. Broad was always that constant threat with overhead conditions and seam movement, which suited English conditions. His best bowling figures of 8/15, against Australia in 2015, well represent his ability to run through batting line-ups. With an average of 27.68 and an economy rate of 2.97, Broad's consistency and his ability to rise to the occasion in high-pressure situations cemented his place among the Test bowling greats. Glenn McGrath (AUS) - Precision Personified Image Source- The Cricket Monthly Australian legend of pace Glenn McGrath claimed 563 wickets in Tests from 1993 to 2007. Represented the best of line and length bowling, his relentless pressure on batsmen often resulted in mistakes that made him one of the most economical yet deadly bowlers in Test history. McGrath's bowling best figures stand at 8/24, which proves him a lone wolf who can break batting lineups. A stat of 21.64 and an economy of 2.49 stands on the testimony of his accuracy and control, that perhaps put McGrath as the greatest fast bowler in the Test cricket history. Nathan Lyon (AUS)- The GOAT of Modern Off-Spin Image Source- NewsBytes More affectionately known as the "GOAT" (Greatest Of All Time) in Australian cricket, Nathan Lyon has been a constant performer for Test cricket since he first played in 2011. With 530 wickets, Lyon is the most successful off-spinner to have played for Australia, with classic flight and drift mixed up with some modern variations. Lyon's career-best figures are 8/50, evidence that he can take wickets even in turning conditions. His average of 30.28 and economy rate of 2.93 prove Lyon is one of the all time great. Lyon has been Australia's constant feature in Tests for a decade plus and has delivered wonderfully in all atmospheres. Also Read | Understanding the Follow-On Rule in Test Cricket Ravichandran Ashwin (IND) - The Modern-Day Spin Wizard Image Source- The Week The off-spinner from India, Ravichandran Ashwin, has risen up the list of most wickets in test cricket at a blistering rate since his debut in 2011. Ashwin, with 522 wickets from just 101 Tests, boasts a strike rate of 50.51, a figure among the best ever in Test cricket. His knack of bowling traditional off-spin along with carrom balls and arm balls has made him a puzzle for batsmen all around the world. Ashwin's best bowling figures of 7/59 represent his dominating nature. His average of 23.70 and economy rate of 2.81 shows he's a key player for India, taking important wickets and stopping runs over the last ten years. Courtney Walsh (WI) - The Caribbean Pace Machine Image Source- The Economic Times Courtney Walsh, the West Indian giant fast bowler, terrorized batsmen from 1984-2001, by bagging 519 wickets in Tests. Mixing unorthodox high-arm action with an ability to bounce out of even the poorest of surfaces, Walsh was a great soul in the later years of West Indies cricket's tyranny around the world. The best figures of 7/37 for Walsh summed up his ability to run through batting line-ups. Walsh averaged 24.44 with an economy rate of 2.53, combining precision with aggressiveness, thus making him in the list of most wickets by bowlers in test cricket. Dale Steyn (SA) -The Steyn Gun Image Source- Sky Sports South Africa's brilliant bowler from 2004 to 2019, Dale Steyn placed at 10th position in this list of highest wickets in test cricket with 439. Express pace, outswing, and an often combative on-field attitude all served to make him arguably the most feared fast bowler of his generation. The best bowling figure of 7/51 is a proof of his match-winning abilities. Apart from Stuart Broad and James Anderson, who have played much fewer matches and are in a much better position, his average stands at 22.95 while the strike rate is 42.38, one of the best for fast bowlers in Test history. His impact is indelible in the history of Test cricket even if injuries marred the second half of his playing career. Also Read | Types of Ducks in Cricket | From Golden to Diamond