Most Test Wickets in Cricket History: Muralitharan, Warne and the Top Bowlers
Muttiah Muralitharan holds the record for the most wickets in Test cricket with 800, ahead of Shane Warne's 708. This guide covers the all-time leading wicket-takers in Tests.
Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka holds the record for the most wickets in Test cricket, with 800 wickets in 133 Tests between 1992 and 2010. He finished four wickets ahead of Shane Warne's 708 — the two greatest spin bowlers of their era competed closely for the record throughout their careers. Muralitharan's final Test wicket (his 800th, Pragyan Ojha of India caught at slip in Galle in 2010) was the last delivery he bowled before retiring — a farewell scripted perfectly for a bowler who had dominated Test cricket for nearly two decades. He took 50 or more wickets in a Test series on multiple occasions and achieved 67 five-wicket hauls in Tests.
The All-Time Test Wicket Takers
The all-time leading wicket-takers in Test cricket: 1. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) — 800 wickets, 133 Tests. 2. Shane Warne (Australia) — 708 wickets, 145 Tests. 3. Anil Kumble (India) — 619 wickets, 132 Tests. 4. James Anderson (England) — 704 wickets, 188 Tests (retired 2024). 5. Glenn McGrath (Australia) — 563 wickets, 124 Tests. 6. Curtly Ambrose (West Indies) — 405 wickets, 98 Tests. Among active bowlers in 2026, Nathan Lyon (Australia) and Ravichandran Ashwin (India) lead the wicket-taker list, each with over 530 Test wickets. Anderson retired as the highest wicket-taker among pace bowlers.
Muralitharan's Controversies and Legacy
Muralitharan's bowling action was among the most analysed and debated in cricket history. Australian umpires called his doosra for throwing (elbow straightening beyond the legal 15-degree limit) in the 1995-96 tour of Australia. Biomechanical testing later showed Muralitharan's wrist was naturally hyperextended and appeared to 'throw' even when he was not straightening his arm illegally. The ICC cleared him on multiple occasions. Despite the controversies, Muralitharan is universally recognised as the greatest off-spinner in history and one of the two or three greatest bowlers of any type. His Wisden ranking as one of the Five Cricketers of the 20th Century reflects his impact on the game.
Frequently asked questions
Who has taken the most wickets in Test cricket?
Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka took 800 Test wickets in 133 matches between 1992 and 2010, the most in Test cricket history. He is followed by Shane Warne (708, Australia) and James Anderson (704, England).
Who is the leading wicket-taker among pace bowlers?
James Anderson of England retired in 2024 with 704 Test wickets — the most by any pace bowler in Test cricket history, eclipsing Glenn McGrath's 563. Anderson took his wickets with swing bowling over a 21-year career, becoming the first pace bowler to reach 700 Test wickets.
What is Anil Kumble best known for in terms of Test bowling?
Anil Kumble is best known for being one of only two bowlers to take all 10 wickets in a Test innings — he took 10/74 for India against Pakistan at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi in 1999. Jim Laker (England) had taken 10/53 against Australia in 1956. Kumble finished his career with 619 Test wickets, third on the all-time list.