Top Bowlers in Cricket History
Icons whose brilliance redefined the art and impact of bowling on the world cricket stage.
Muttiah Muralitharan
Sri Lanka – Off-spin
Spinning wizard with a record 800 Test wickets, 534 in ODIs. Redefined spin’s role in the modern era.
| Format | M | Wkts | Avg | 5WI | 10WM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 133 | 800 | 22.72 | 67 | 22 |
| ODI | 350 | 534 | 23.08 | 10 | - |
- Most Test wickets ever
- 67 Test five-wicket hauls
- ICC Hall of Fame inductee
Shane Warne
Australia – Leg-spin
Legendary leg-spinner, the 'Ball of the Century' magician. 708 Test wickets, World Cup winner, and Ashes hero.
| Format | M | Wkts | Avg | 5WI | 10WM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 145 | 708 | 25.41 | 37 | 10 |
| ODI | 194 | 293 | 25.73 | 1 | - |
- 1999 World Cup winner
- Iconic Ashes performances
Wasim Akram
Pakistan – Left-arm pace
"Sultan of Swing," 414 Test and 502 ODI wickets. Revolutionized fast bowling and devastating in clutch moments.
| Format | M | Wkts | Avg | 5WI | 10WM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 104 | 414 | 23.62 | 25 | 5 |
| ODI | 356 | 502 | 23.52 | 6 | - |
- 1992 World Cup winner
- First to 500 ODI wickets
Glenn McGrath
Australia – Fast-medium
Fast bowling artist of line and length, 563 Test, 381 ODI wickets; three-time World Cup champion.
| Format | M | Wkts | Avg | 5WI | 10WM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 124 | 563 | 21.64 | 29 | 3 |
| ODI | 250 | 381 | 22.02 | 7 | - |
- Three World Cups (1999, 2003, 2007)
- Most wickets in a single World Cup (26 in 2007)
Anil Kumble
India – Leg-spin
Only the second man to take all 10 wickets in a single Test inning. 619 Test wickets, blueprint for Indian spin.
| Format | M | Wkts | Avg | 5WI | 10WM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 132 | 619 | 29.65 | 35 | 8 |
| ODI | 271 | 337 | 30.89 | 2 | - |
- 10 wickets in an innings (vs Pakistan 1999)
- India captain and coach
Jasprit Bumrah
India – Fast
Pioneering all-format star: Player of the Tournament 2024 T20 World Cup, and the first bowler to be ranked ICC No.1 in all formats.
| Format | M | Wkts | Avg | 4WI | 5WI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 36 | 159 | 20.69 | 7 | 9 |
| ODI | 89 | 149 | 23.55 | 6 | 2 |
| T20I | 62 | 92 | 19.71 | 2 | 0 |
| IPL | 120 | 165 | 23.09 | 2 | 1 |
- ICC #1 in all formats (2024)
- 2024 T20 WC Player of the Tournament
Dale Steyn
South Africa – Fast
South Africa’s relentless pace leader, #1 Test bowler for 263 weeks, fastest to 400 Test wickets (80 matches).
| Format | M | Wkts | Avg | 5WI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 93 | 439 | 22.95 | 26 |
| ODI | 125 | 196 | 25.95 | 3 |
- Fastest to 400 Test wickets
- 263 weeks as ICC Test #1