The 10 leading wicket-takers in the history of men's Test cricket, from Muttiah Muralitharan's unmatched 800 down to the modern greats.
Quick answer: 1. Muttiah Muralitharan, 2. Shane Warne, 3. James Anderson, 4. Anil Kumble, 5. Stuart Broad, 6. Glenn McGrath, 7. Nathan Lyon, 8. Courtney Walsh, 9. Ravichandran Ashwin, 10. Dale Steyn.
Test cricket is the longest and most demanding format of the game, and taking wickets over a multi-year Test career is the ultimate measure of a bowler's endurance, skill, and consistency. This list ranks the 10 bowlers who have taken the most wickets in men's Test cricket history. Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka leads by a wide margin — his 800 Test wickets are 92 more than second-place Shane Warne and are widely regarded as one of cricket's most unbreakable records. The list spans from the unorthodox spin of Muralitharan and Warne to the relentless fast bowling of James Anderson and Glenn McGrath, reflecting the full spectrum of bowling styles that have succeeded at the highest level.
The only bowler ever to take 800 Test wickets, a mark set over a 19-year career (1992–2010) for Sri Lanka. His unorthodox wrist-spin action and prodigious turn — especially on subcontinental pitches — made him virtually unplayable across all conditions. His total is final and stands as the most enduring individual record in cricket.
The greatest leg-spinner cricket has ever seen, Warne took 708 Test wickets across 145 matches for Australia (1992–2007). His 'Ball of the Century' to Mike Gatting in 1993 announced his arrival, and he went on to redefine spin bowling in the modern era.
England's all-time leading wicket-taker and the greatest fast bowler in Test history by raw wicket count. Anderson's 704 wickets came across a remarkable 21-year career (2002–2024), relying on swing bowling that proved lethal especially in English conditions.
India's highest Test wicket-taker and one of only three bowlers (with Muralitharan and Warne) to take all 10 wickets in a Test innings. Kumble's 619 wickets came through relentless leg-spin accuracy across a 19-year career (1990–2008).
England's second-highest Test wicket-taker and one of the great death-bowlers in Ashes history. Broad retired in 2024 with 604 wickets, including his famous 8 for 15 against Australia at Trent Bridge in 2015.
Australia's metronomically accurate fast bowler whose 563 wickets came across 124 Tests at an average of just 21.64 — the best average among all top-10 wicket-takers. McGrath's relentless line and length made him the backbone of Australia's dominant teams in the 1990s and 2000s.
The leading active bowler on the list (as of 2026) and Australia's premier off-spinner. Lyon has over 530 Test wickets and continues to add to his tally, having surpassed Shane Warne as Australia's most prolific finger-spinner and closing in on McGrath's mark.
The first fast bowler and first West Indian to reach 500 Test wickets. Walsh's 519 wickets came across a 17-year career (1984–2001), leading the West Indies pace attack in the post-Marshall era with tireless accuracy and durability.
India's second-highest Test wicket-taker and one of the most versatile off-spinners in the game. Ashwin has taken over 510 Test wickets through a long career highlighted by his ability to outthink batsmen and adapt across conditions.
South Africa's greatest fast bowler and arguably the most feared paceman of the 2010s. Steyn's 439 wickets came at a spectacular average of 22.95 — the best strike rate of any bowler in the top 15 wicket-takers — over a career that featured devastating spells against every Test nation.
| # | Name | country | matches | bowling average | fiveWicketHauls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka | 133 | 22.72 | 67 |
| 2 | Shane Warne | Australia | 145 | 25.41 | 37 |
| 3 | James Anderson | England | 188 | 26.45 | 32 |
| 4 | Anil Kumble | India | 132 | 29.65 | 35 |
| 5 | Stuart Broad | England | 167 | 27.68 | 21 |
| 6 | Glenn McGrath | Australia | 124 | 21.64 | 29 |
| 7 | Nathan Lyon | Australia | 135 | 30.6 | 25 |
| 8 | Courtney Walsh | West Indies | 132 | 24.44 | 22 |
| 9 | Ravichandran Ashwin | India | 106 | 24 | 36 |
| 10 | Dale Steyn | South Africa | 93 | 22.95 | 26 |
Bowlers are ranked by total career wickets taken in men's Test cricket — the all-time aggregate across every innings of a player's Test career, highest to lowest. Inclusion is the top 10 by that single number, drawing on both retired and currently active players. Totals for retired players are final; totals for active players (notably Nathan Lyon) reflect an early-2026 snapshot and continue to change. Figures are taken from ESPNcricinfo's official career-wickets records, cross-checked against Wikipedia's list of Test cricket wicket-takers and individual player statistics pages. Supporting facts (matches played, bowling average, economy rate, and five-wicket hauls) are reported for context but are not part of the ranking.
Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka holds the record with 800 Test wickets, taken across 133 matches between 1992 and 2010. He is the only bowler ever to reach 800, and his total is 92 wickets clear of second-place Shane Warne.
As of early 2026, Nathan Lyon of Australia is the highest active bowler on the list at #7 with over 530 wickets. He remains active and will continue to climb. Ravi Ashwin at #8 is also still active for India.
Glenn McGrath has the best bowling average in the top 10 at 21.64 runs per wicket, followed by Dale Steyn at 22.95 and Muttiah Muralitharan at 22.72. A lower average means the bowler conceded fewer runs per wicket taken.
As of mid-2026, nine bowlers have taken 500 or more Test wickets. Muralitharan (800), Warne (708), Anderson (704), Kumble (619), Broad (604), McGrath (563), Lyon (534+), Walsh (519), and Ashwin (516+). Dale Steyn at 439 is the only top-10 bowler below 500.