The test format truly examines the patience and temperament of every participant. The ICC World Test Championship also began in 2020–21. In this format, batsmen find it challenging to score runs, and bowlers have to battle for every wicket. Just consider how amazing the bowlers who take the most wickets in this format would be. In this Article, we are going to learn about the top 5 bowlers of cricket history who took the most wickets in the Red Ball Format.

1. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) 800 Wickets

Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka holds the record for taking the most test wickets in cricket history. He took 800 wickets in his test career, including 67 five-wicket hauls. He made his Test debut against Australia at Colombo in 1992, while his last Test match was also in Colombo against India in 2010. In his final test against India, he successfully claimed his 800th test wicket. Pragyan Ojha was the man who became his 800th test wicket.

2. Shane Warne (Australia) 708 Wickets

In cricket's longest format, Shane Warne of Australia has taken 708 wickets, with 37 5-wicket hauls. He is a legend of world cricket. Where Anil Kumble and Muttiah Muralitharan mostly played in Asian Conditions, While Warne takes wickets in those grounds that prefer fast bowlers. He made his test debut against India in 1992, while he played his last test against England in 2007.

3. James Anderson (England) 704 Wickets

England's James Anderson has a total of 704 wickets in red-ball cricket. He has also achieved a 5-wicket haul in this format 32 times. In June 2024, He said goodbye from international cricket. James Anderson has also a record of most test wickets as a fast bowler. His first Test match was against Zimbabwe at Lord's in May 2003, and his last Test was against the West Indies at Lord's in July 2024.

4. Anil Kumble (India) 619 Wickets

India's legendary spin bowler Anil Kumble has taken a total of 619 wickets in Test cricket, including 35 5-wicket hauls. He is also the highest Test wicket-taker from India. In 2008, he retired from international cricket. He made his test debut against England at Manchester in 1990, while he played his last test against Australia at Delhi in 2008.

5. Stuart Broad (England) 604 Wickets

Stuart Broad, former fast bowler for England, has claimed 604 Test wickets overall. In red-ball cricket, he has also claimed 28 five-wicket hauls. As a fast bowler in test cricket, he presently holds the second-highest number of wickets. James Anderson, his teammate, is presently ranked first. He made his test debut against Sri Lanka in 2009, while he played his final test match against England during the Ashes 2023.

All of these great bowlers are no longer playing for the national team. However, their influence is still felt in the cricket community. Many bowlers will take more wickets than these great bowlers in the upcoming cricket matches. However, becoming one of these great players is very difficult. Australia’s Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, and India’s Jasprit Bumrah are some of the players from the current era who have the potential to be added to this prestigious list in the future.

Top 5 Bowlers With The Most Test Wickets