Test Cricket, the longest format in cricket, is always a treat to watch. This is because, despite being played for five days, many times it ends up in a draw. Though many people might find Test cricket monotonous since it is really time-consuming and doesn’t give spontaneous results, Test Cricket has its own uniqueness. Just like we get pumped up to see batters hitting consecutive boundaries or bowlers taking back-to-back wickets in limited over format, similarly, Cricket fans get overwhelmed to see 5-wicket hauls in Test matches, since it is a big feat. So, let’s get to know the top 10 bowlers with the most 5-wicket hauls in this format.
1. Muttiah Muralitharan
On the first spot is the all-time legendary bowler, Deshbandhu Muttiah Muralitharan. He used to play for Sri Lanka and is regarded as the most successful bowler in the history of cricket. Currently, he is a member of the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. He has taken a 5-wicket haul 67 times in Test matches. Besides, he is also the leading wicket-taker in Test cricket with 800 wickets.
2. Shane Warne
Next, we have the famous Aussie leg-spinner, Shane Warne. He has played a total of 145 Test matches, in which he has taken a 5-wicket haul 37 times. His economy rate was 2.65.
3. R.J. Hadlee
In the third position is a fast-arm bowler from New Zealand, Sir R.J. Hadlee. He has 36 5-wicket hauls to his name in Test Cricket. He debuted in 1973 and played his last international match in 1990.
4. Anil Kumble
Anil Kumble, a former Indian leg-spinner, occupies the fourth position on this list. He has taken 619 Test wickets and has taken a 5-wicket haul 35 times. Apart from this, he is one of only three people in the history of cricket to take all 10 wickets in a single inning in a Test match.
5. Ravichandran Ashwin
On the fifth spot, we again have an Indian leg-spinner, Ashwin. He has taken a 5-wicket haul 34 times in all the 94 matches he has played so far. His economy rate is 2.8.
6. Rangana Herath
On the sixth spot, we have a former Sri Lankan left-arm bowler, HMRKB Herath. He made his debut in 1999 and retired from international cricket in 2018. He has played 93 matches and has taken a 5-wicket haul 34 times.
7. James Anderson
Next on the list is the renowned English fast-arm bowler, James Anderson. He has taken a 5-wicket haul 32 times in all the 183 matches he has played. Currently, he has 690 Test wickets to his name.
8. Glenn McGrath
The next person on this list is Glenn McGrath. He is a pace bowler who used to play for Australia. He made his international debut in 1993 and retired in 2007. He has taken a 5-wicket haul 29 times and has 563 Test wickets.
9. Ian Botham
The second-last person on this list is an English bowler, Ian Botham. He is regarded as one of the best all-rounders in cricket. In addition to this, he is a member of the House of Lords and has even served as chairman of Durham Country Cricket Club. He has taken a 5-wicket haul 27 times.
10. Dale Steyn
The last person on this list is the popular Protea fast-arm bowler, Dale Steyn. He is considered one of the best South African bowlers and was honoured with the ICC 2008 Test Cricketer of the Year Award. He has played 93 Test matches and has taken a 5-wicket haul 26 times.
