Cricket is a game in which batters and bowlers compete with each other. All batters want to win matches for their country by scoring runs, and bowlers want to win matches by taking wickets. Being the highest wicket-taker for their country would be a dream for every bowler. But only a few bowlers are capable of doing this. So, here's a list of the top ten bowlers with the most wickets from each country.
1. Muttiah Muralitharan, Sri Lanka
Muttiah Muralitharan is one of the best spinners we have seen in the history of Cricket. Undoubtedly, he is the greatest bowler Sri Lanka has ever produced, and even stats show that. Muttiah Muralitharan took 1,347 wickets in his career, which is the most by any bowler. He has played 133 tests, 350 ODI, and 12 T20Is; he has 800 wickets in tests, 534 in ODI, and 13 in T20I. Muttiah Muralitharan has the most wickets in test and ODI cricket. This is the reason why he is excellent at this game.
2. Shane Warne, Australia
Countries like India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are known for producing the greatest spinners in cricket history. But Australia has also made one of the greatest spinners in the history of Cricket. Shane Warne was one of the most prominent cricketers in the world. No one can forget his "Ball of the Century" ball. Shane Warne took 1,001 wickets in international Cricket, which is the most by any Australian bowler. Shane Warne played 145 tests and 194 ODI in his career, taking 708 and 293 wickets, respectively.
3. James Anderson, England
England is the game's inventor, and this country has produced many great cricketers. We have seen many great batters and bowlers from England. But James Anderson is above all of them as he is the highest wicket-taker for England. So far, James Anderson has played 183 tests, 194 ODI, and 19 T20Is in which he has taken 690, 269, and 18 wickets, respectively. James Anderson has taken 977 wickets in his international career. He is one of the players who has proved that age is just a number.
4. Anil Kumble, India
Indian Cricket is famous for producing incredible batters like Gavaskar, Sachin, and Virat. However, many people do not focus on the legacy of Indian bowling, as India has made one of the finest bowlers in cricket history. Anil Kumble is the highest wicket-taker in India, as he has taken 956 wickets in his cricketing career. In his career, Anil Kumble has played 132 tests and 271 ODIs in which he has taken 619 and 337 wickets, respectively. Undoubtedly, he is one of the greatest players in the history of Cricket.
5. Wasim Akram, Pakistan
Pakistan has consistently produced many great bowlers, and Wasim Akram is one of them. Wasim Akram is one of the greatest fast bowlers Cricket has ever seen. He could swing the ball both ways and bowl at a high pace. Apart from Wasim Akram's bowling skills, he is also the highest wicket-taker for Pakistan. In his cricketing career, Wasim Akram has played 104 tests and 356 ODIs, in which he took 414 and 502 wickets. Even he was the first bowler to take 500 wickets in ODI cricket. Wasim Akram has taken 916 wickets in his international career.
6. Shaun Pollock, South Africa
Shaun Pollock is a former captain and all-rounder of South Africa. In his time, he was the nightmare of batters, as Shaun Pollock had all variations against batters. He is the highest wickets taker for South Africa. Shaun Pollock has taken 829 wickets in his international career. He has played 108 tests, 303 ODI, and 12 T20Is, in which he took 421, 393, and 15 wickets. Undoubtedly, Shaun Pollock is one of the most prominent players who could win the matches alone.
7. Courtney Walsh, West Indies
West Indies is also known for its legacy of producing lethal fast bowlers. From the 80s to now, many great bowlers have represented the West Indies internationally. Courtney Walsh is a former fast-bowler of West Indies, and he has taken the most wickets for West Indies. Courtney Walsh has taken 746 wickets in his career, of which 519 came in test and 227 in ODI cricket.
8. Tim Southee, New Zealand
New Zealand's team has been the most consistent in ICC tournaments, and they always perform better than expectations. Bowling is the biggest strength of New Zealand, and they have many great bowlers. Tim Southee is one of them, and he is also the highest wicket-taker for New Zealand. He has taken 734 wickets in international Cricket. In his career, Tim Southee has taken 370 wickets in tests, 220 wickets in ODI, and 144 wickets in T20I.
9. Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh
Shakib Al Hasan is the most prominent all-rounder that Bangladesh has ever produced. There are very few all-rounders who contribute like him in world cricket. Shakib Al Hasan is the leading wickets for Bangladesh in international Cricket. In his career, he has taken 690 international wickets. Shakib has played 66 tests, 247 ODI, and 117 T20I, in which he took 233, 317, and 140 wickets respectively.
10. Heath Streak, Zimbabwe
Heath Streak was a former captain and all-rounder of Zimbabwe. He was the best all-rounder that Zimbabwe cricket has ever seen, as he played a massive role in Zimbabwe cricket. Heath Streak took 455 international wickets, the most by any Zimbabwe's player. He played 65 tests and 189 ODI in his career, taking 216 and 239 wickets, respectively.
