In Test cricket, bowlers play a crucial role in a team’s quest to win matches. The bowlers are tasked with running through the opposition twice to get a positive result.
It may seem like an easy job, however, a few bowlers strive under pressure and pull their sides over the ropes. Over the years, some notable bowlers have stepped up to help their team triumph over opponents by picking up wickets in heaps.
In this article, we look at the top 10 bowlers with the most wickets in winning causes in Test cricket.
Most Wickets in Winning Cause in Tests
| Player | Innings | Wickets in Wins | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shane Warne (AUS) | 180 | 510 | 22.47 |
| Muthiah Muralidaran (SL) | 107 | 438 | 16.18 |
| Glenn McGrath (AUS) | 168 | 414 | 19.19 |
| James Anderson (ENG) | 165 | 384 | 19.55 |
| Ravichandran Ashwin (IND) | 121 | 374 | 18.99 |
| Nathan Lyon (AUS) | 147 | 345 | 24.23 |
| Stuart Broad (ENG) | 150 | 330 | 21.10 |
| Dale Steyn (SA) | 94 | 305 | 16.60 |
| Anil Kumble (IND) | 86 | 288 | 18.75 |
| Malcolm Marshall (WI) | 86 | 254 | 16.78 |
Key Insights
Shane Warne holds the record for taking the most wickets in winning causes in Test cricket. 510 of his 708 Test wickets came in victories for Australia.
Moreover, Warne has been part of the most Test wins among the bowlers. He contributed successfully in 92 matches, behind only his fellow teammate, Ricky Ponting (108).
10 for 53 by England’s Jim Laker is the best bowling figure (innings) by a bowler in a Test victory. He became the first bowler to skittle 10 wickets in an innings. Anil Kumble is the only other bowler to take 10 wickets in an innings in a Test win.
Similarly, Laker also has the best Test match figures of 19 for 90, which resulted in a landslide victory for England against Australia.
