Most Wickets in Cricket: Bowling Records in Tests and ODIs
The leading wicket-takers in Test and ODI cricket represent the greatest sustained bowling careers — their records reflect not just talent but remarkable fitness and longevity.
The record for the most wickets in Test cricket is held by Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka with 800 wickets across 133 Tests. Shane Warne of Australia is second with 708 wickets. Both were spin bowlers who played through the 1990s and 2000s. Third on the list is Anil Kumble (India, 619 wickets) and fourth is James Anderson (England, 700+ wickets as of 2024 and the leading seam bowler in Test history).
The Murali vs Warne Debate
The comparison between Muralitharan and Warne is one of cricket's great debates. Murali took 800 wickets at an average of 22.72; Warne took 708 wickets at 25.41. Murali played more Tests and played in different conditions; Warne played almost entirely on the flat, batting-friendly pitches of the 2000s. Both are considered among the three or four greatest bowlers in cricket history.
ODI Bowling Records
The most ODI wickets in history is Muralitharan's 534, followed by Wasim Akram (Pakistan, 502). In women's cricket, Jhulan Goswami of India took 253 ODI wickets before retiring in 2022 — the women's ODI record. Both men's and women's records reflect careers spanning 15–20 years and hundreds of appearances, demonstrating that bowling records require extraordinary longevity as well as skill.
Five Wickets in an Innings
Taking five wickets in a single innings (a 'five-for' or 'fifer') is considered the bowling equivalent of a batting century — an individual landmark of excellence. The record for most five-wicket hauls in Tests is Muralitharan with 67. Shane Warne took 37 five-wicket hauls. A bowler who regularly takes five-fors is dominating games at the highest level; doing it consistently across a career marks a truly great bowler.
Frequently asked questions
Who has taken the most wickets in Test cricket?
Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka holds the record with 800 Test wickets from 133 matches (1992–2010). Shane Warne of Australia is second with 708 wickets. James Anderson of England passed 700 wickets in 2024.
What is a five-wicket haul in cricket?
A five-wicket haul (or 'fifer') is when a bowler takes five or more wickets in a single innings. It is the individual bowling milestone equivalent to a batter's century and is recorded alongside the bowler's career statistics.