The Elite Group of Bowlers with Multiple 10-Wicket Hauls in Test Cricket
According to a report by Cricket365, taking 10 wickets in a Test match is a rare and exceptional achievement, equivalent to scoring a century in each innings. Cricket365 has compiled a list of the bowlers with the most 10-wicket hauls in Test cricket, and we take a look at the top performers.
In the modern era, post-1990, several bowlers have achieved this feat multiple times. Cricket365 reports that there are a select group of bowlers who have managed to take 10 wickets in a Test match on multiple occasions. These bowlers have demonstrated remarkable consistency, skill, and endurance to achieve this feat.
The Bowlers with 5 or More 10-Wicket Hauls
At number 6, we have three bowlers tied with 5 ten-wicket hauls each: Nathan Lyon (Australia), Harbhajan Singh (India), and Wasim Akram (Pakistan). Cricket365 notes that Nathan Lyon, Australia’s modern-day spin workhorse, has quietly built an extraordinary record in Test cricket, with 5 ten-wicket match hauls highlighting his ability to stay in the game across both innings. As Cricket365 quotes, Lyon’s consistency and tactical nous have earned him over 500 Test wickets.
Harbhajan Singh, a passionate and aggressive off-spinner, was India’s frontline spinner in the early 2000s. Cricket365 reports that his 5 ten-wicket hauls came mostly on the subcontinent, but they were always high-impact, often turning the tide of the match. Wasim Akram, Pakistan’s left-arm fast bowler, had exceptional control, variety, and a lethal bouncer to complement his movement off the seam and through the air. Cricket365 notes that his five ten-wicket hauls came against top opposition and were a testament to his stamina, as well as his ability to dismantle sides with both the old and new ball.
Dale Steyn (South Africa) and Waqar Younis (Pakistan) are also tied with 5 ten-wicket hauls each. Cricket365 reports that Steyn, South Africa’s pace spearhead for over a decade, was a bowler of raw pace, incredible control, and genuine menace. Waqar Younis, Pakistan’s fast bowler, terrorised batting lineups in the 1990s with his deadly inswinging yorker and searing pace.
The Elite Group with 8 or More 10-Wicket Hauls
At number 4, we have two bowlers tied with 8 ten-wicket hauls each: Anil Kumble (India) and Ravichandran Ashwin (India). Cricket365 notes that Anil Kumble, India’s most prolific Test bowler, was unique in his approach to spin bowling, relying on bounce, pace, and subtle variation rather than big turn. His ten-wicket match hauls were often the result of sustained pressure and a refusal to be worn down.
Ravichandran Ashwin, a master of variation, angles, and tactical adaptability, has been India’s premier spinner for the past decade. Cricket365 reports that all of his ten-wicket hauls have come in the post-2010 era, often as key contributions in India’s home dominance.
The Top 3 Bowlers with 9 or More 10-Wicket Hauls
Rangana Herath (Sri Lanka) is third on the list with 9 ten-wicket hauls. Cricket365 notes that Herath, a left-arm spinner with deceptive flight and subtle turn, thrived in the post-Murali era, especially in Sri Lankan conditions. He often ran through batting lineups single-handedly and picked up five or more wickets in both innings multiple times.
Shane Warne (Australia) is second on the list with 10 ten-wicket hauls. Cricket365 reports that Warne, almost without a doubt the greatest leg-spinner the game has ever seen, mesmerised fans and tormented batters with his prodigious turn, deceptive flight, and unmatched charisma.
The Number 1 Bowler with 22 10-Wicket Hauls
Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) tops the list with an incredible 22 ten-wicket hauls. Cricket365 notes that Murali’s dominance was simply surreal, with a unique wrist-flicking action and an arsenal of deliveries that spun a web around batsmen for nearly two decades. His 10-wicket hauls often meant series wins for Sri Lanka, and many of them came on spinning tracks in Galle or Kandy, though he performed admirably abroad too.
In conclusion, these bowlers have demonstrated exceptional skill and endurance to achieve multiple 10-wicket hauls in Test cricket. As reported by Cricket365, they have set a high standard for future generations of bowlers.
