Muttiah Muralitharan holds the record for the most 5-wicket hauls in Test cricket, achieving this incredible feat 67 times—the highest by any bowler in history. Among the top 21 bowlers with the most 5-wicket hauls in Test cricket, only Nathan Lyon is still active, highlighting the rare skill and consistency required to reach this milestone.
Throughout cricket history, legendary bowlers have dominated Test matches with repeated five-wicket hauls, turning games in their team’s favor and leaving a lasting mark on the sport. In this article, you will find the complete list of the top 21 Test cricket bowlers with the most 5-wicket hauls, along with detailed stats, best figures, and memorable performances that define cricketing greatness.
Top 21 Bowlers With Most 5-Wicket Hauls in Test
The table below shows players who have taken the most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket.
| No. | Player (Team) | 5 Wicket Hauls | Total Wickets | Matches | Economy | Average | Best Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muttiah Muralitharan (SL) | 67 | 800 | 133 | 2.47 | 22.72 | 9/51 |
| 2 | Ravichandran Ashwin (IND) | 37 | 537 | 106 | 2.83 | 24 | 7/59 |
| 3 | Shane Warne (AUS) | 37 | 708 | 145 | 2.65 | 25.41 | 8/71 |
| 4 | Sir RJ Hadlee (NZ) | 36 | 431 | 86 | 2.63 | 22.29 | 9/52 |
| 5 | Anil Kumble (IND) | 35 | 619 | 132 | 2.69 | 29.65 | 10/74 |
| 6 | Rangana Herath (SL) | 34 | 433 | 93 | 2.8 | 28.07 | 9/127 |
| 7 | JM Anderson (ENG) | 32 | 704 | 188 | 2.79 | 26.45 | 7/42 |
| 8 | Glenn McGrath (AUS) | 29 | 563 | 124 | 2.49 | 21.64 | 8/24 |
| 9 | IT Botham (ENG) | 27 | 383 | 102 | 2.99 | 28.4 | 8/34 |
| 10 | Dale Steyn (SA) | 26 | 439 | 93 | 3.24 | 22.95 | 7/51 |
| 11 | Wasim Akram (PAK) | 25 | 414 | 104 | 2.59 | 23.62 | 7/119 |
| 12 | Harbhajan Singh (IND) | 25 | 417 | 103 | 2.84 | 32.46 | 8/84 |
| 13 | SF Barnes (ENG) | 24 | 189 | 27 | 2.36 | 16.43 | 9/103 |
| 14 | NM Lyon (AUS) | 24 | 562 | 139 | 2.94 | 30.14 | 8/50 |
| 15 | DK Lillee (AUS) | 23 | 355 | 70 | 2.75 | 23.92 | 7/83 |
| 16 | Imran Khan (PAK) | 23 | 362 | 88 | 2.54 | 22.81 | 8/58 |
| 17 | N Kapil Dev (IND) | 23 | 434 | 131 | 2.78 | 29.64 | 9/83 |
| 18 | Waqar Younis (PAK) | 22 | 373 | 87 | 3.25 | 23.56 | 7/76 |
| 19 | MD Marshall (WI) | 22 | 376 | 81 | 2.68 | 20.94 | 7/22 |
| 20 | CEL Ambrose (WI) | 22 | 405 | 98 | 2.3 | 20.99 | 8/45 |
| 21 | CA Walsh (WI) | 22 | 519 | 132 | 2.53 | 24.44 | 7/37 |
1. Muttiah Muralitharan – 67 Five-Wicket Hauls
Muttiah Muralitharan has 67 five-wicket hauls in Tests, the most by any bowler. He played 133 matches and bowled 44,039 balls in 230 innings. He picked up 800 wickets with an average of 22.72.
His best innings figures were 9 for 51. His best match return stood at 16 for 220. He took 67 five-wicket hauls and 22 ten-wicket hauls. His economy rate was 2.47, with a strike rate of 55.0. He started his Test career on August 28, 1992, against Australia. His final Test match took place on July 22, 2010, against India. His 800th wicket was Pragyan Ojha.
2. Ravichandran Ashwin – 37 Five-Wicket Hauls
Ravichandran Ashwin stands tall as one of India’s finest all-rounders in Test cricket. He has played 106 matches with 200 innings. He has taken 537 wickets with 37 five-wicket hauls. His best innings figures are 7 for 59, while his best match figures are 13 for 140.
Ashwin has recorded 37 five-wicket hauls and 8 ten-wicket match performances. His economy rate is 2.83, and his strike rate is 50.7. Although he has 30 fewer five-wicket hauls than Murlidharan, he surpasses Muthaiya with a better strike rate.
With the bat, Ashwin has scored 3,503 runs in 151 innings with a top score of 124. His batting average is 25.75. He has hit 6 centuries and 14 fifties.
3. Shane Warne – 37 Five-Wicket Hauls
Shane Warne is one of the top wicket-takers in Test cricket. He played 145 matches and took 708 wickets. His average was 25.41, and his best figures in an innings were 8 for 71.
He also took 37 five-wicket hauls and 10 ten-wicket hauls in a match. His best match return was 12 for 128. Warne was the first bowler to reach 700 Test wickets. He also holds the record for the most runs in Tests without a hundred (3000). He passed away on March 4, 2022, in Thailand. His name will always stay in cricket history.
4. Richard Hadlee – 36 Five-Wicket Hauls
Richard Hadlee is one of the greatest bowlers in the history of Test cricket. He played 86 matches and took 431 wickets. His average was 22.29. His best innings figures were 9 for 52, and his best match figures were 15 for 123.
He took 36 five-wicket hauls and 9 ten-wicket hauls in a match. He was the first bowler to reach 400 Test wickets. Hadlee always led the New Zealand bowling attack with skill and control.
5. Anil Kumble – 35 Five-Wicket Hauls
Anil Kumble is the only Indian to take 600 wickets in Test cricket. He played 132 matches and took 619 wickets, averaging 29.65. His best innings figures were 10 for 74, and his best match figures were 14 for 149. He also took 8 ten-wicket hauls. In 1999, in Delhi, he took all ten wickets in an innings against Pakistan.
In 2001, in Bangalore, he became the first Indian spinner to reach 300 Test wickets. His spells often broke partnerships and changed the game for India. He will always be remembered for his determination and passion.
6. Rangana Herath – 34 Five-Wicket Hauls
Rangana Herath took 34 five-wicket hauls in his Test career, which is the most by a left-arm spinner. He played 93 matches and claimed 433 wickets at an average of 28.07. His best innings figures were 9 for 127, and his best match return was 14 for 184.
He also took 9 ten-wicket hauls in matches. Herath was Sri Lanka’s main match-winner after Muralitharan. His control and patience made him a reliable bowler in any condition. His five-wicket hauls helped Sri Lanka in many key moments and kept their spin legacy alive.
7. James Anderson – 32 Five-Wicket Hauls
James Anderson is the only fast bowler with both 700 Test wickets and 32 five-wicket hauls. He played 188 matches and took 704 wickets at an average of 26.45. His best innings figures were 7 for 42, and his best match return was 11 for 71. He also took 3 ten-wicket hauls.
In September 2017, against the West Indies, he reached his 500th wicket and became the third fast bowler to do so after McGrath and Walsh. Anderson is known for his swing and consistency and remains England’s greatest fast bowler in red-ball cricket.
8. Glenn McGrath – 29 Five-Wicket Hauls
Glenn McGrath took 29 five-wicket hauls in his Test career while playing 124 matches and taking 563 wickets at an average of 21.64. His best innings figures were 8 for 24, and his best match return was 10 for 27. He also had 3 ten-wicket match hauls.
McGrath became the first fast bowler to play 100 Tests for Australia in the iconic baggy green. His accuracy and control made him a nightmare for batters. His five-wicket hauls often came in big matches and played a key role in Australia’s success during his era.
9. Ian Botham – 27 Five-Wicket Hauls
Ian Botham is one of the few cricketers to take 300+ wickets and score over 5000 runs in Tests. He played 102 matches and claimed 383 wickets at an average of 28.40. His best innings figures were 8 for 34, and his best match return was 13 for 106.
He also had 4 ten-wicket match hauls. With the bat, he scored 5200 runs at an average of 33.54, including 14 centuries. His all-rounder feats made him a game-changer for England.
10. Dale Steyn – 26 Five-Wicket Hauls
Dale Steyn claimed 26 five-wicket hauls in Tests and finished with 439 wickets in just 93 matches. His average was 22.95, and his strike rate of 42.3 stands as the best among elite wicket-takers.
His best innings figures were 7 for 51, and his best match figures were 11 for 60. He also had 5 ten-wicket match hauls. Steyn’s pace, swing, and aggression made him South Africa’s most dangerous bowler.
11. Wasim Akram – 25 Five-Wicket Hauls
Wasim Akram took 25 five-wicket hauls in Tests and ended with 414 wickets from 104 matches. His average was 23.62, with best innings figures of 7 for 119 and best match return of 11 for 110.
He also had 5 ten-wicket hauls. Akram mastered swing like few others and could trouble any batter with both the old and new ball. His economy rate of 2.59 shows his control. Akram has also taken 500 wickets in ODIs
12. Harbhajan Singh – 25 Five-Wicket Hauls
Harbhajan Singh picked 25 five-wicket hauls and took 417 wickets from 103 Tests. His best innings figures were 8 for 84, and his best match return was 15 for 217. He also claimed five ten-wicket hauls.
Though his average stood at 32.46, his impact was massive, especially at home. Harbhajan became the first Indian to take a Test hat-trick during the 2001 series against Australia. His off-spin played a vital role in India’s key wins in the 2000s.
13. Sydney Barnes – 24 Five-Wicket Hauls
Sydney Barnes played only 27 Test matches but took an incredible 24 five-wicket hauls. He grabbed 189 wickets at a stunning average of 16.43. His best innings figures were 9 for 103, and his best match figures stood at 17 for 159, a record that still amazes.
With 7 ten-wicket hauls, Barnes was a nightmare for batters of his time. His control, seam movement, and accuracy set him apart in the early 1900s. Even with a short career, his five-wicket hauls show his dominance.
14. Nathan Lyon – 24 Five-Wicket Hauls
Nathan Lyon has taken 24 five-wicket hauls in Test cricket, with a total of 562 wickets from 139 matches. His best innings figures are 8 for 50, and his top match return is 13 for 154. With 5 ten-wicket hauls and an average of 30.14, Lyon stands as Australia’s highest wicket-taking off-spinner.
Known for classic flight and bounce, he made an instant impact by dismissing Sangakkara with his first ball. By 2015, he surpassed Hugh Trumble’s record and earned the title of GOAT from teammates.
15. Dennis Lillee – 23 Five-Wicket Hauls
Dennis Lillee delivered 23 five-wicket hauls in just 70 Test matches, finishing with 355 wickets at an average of 23.92.
His best innings figures were 7 for 83, and his finest match performance was 11 for 123. With 7 ten-wicket match hauls, Lillee combined raw pace with sharp movement, becoming one of the fiercest fast bowlers of his time.
16. Imran Khan – 23 Five-Wicket Hauls
Imran Khan claimed 23 five-wicket hauls in his 88-Test career with 362 wickets at an impressive average of 22.81. His best innings figures were 8 for 58, while his top match figures were 14 for 116.
He also recorded 6 ten-wicket match hauls. More than just a bowler, his leadership on and off the field elevated Pakistan cricket.
17. Kapil Dev – 23 Five-Wicket Hauls
Kapil Dev took 23 five-wicket hauls in his 131-Test career, ending with 434 wickets at an average of 29.64. His best innings performance was 9 for 83, and he registered two ten-wicket match hauls with an economy of 2.78 and deadly outswingers.
Beyond numbers, he inspired India’s 1983 World Cup win and remains a true icon of Indian cricket.
18. Waqar Younis – 22 Five-Wicket Hauls
Waqar Younis took 22 five-wicket hauls in just 87 Tests, collecting 373 wickets at an average of 23.56. His best innings figures were 7 for 76, and he grabbed five ten-wicket match hauls as well. With a strike rate of just 43.4 and an economy of 3.25, Waqar was known for his deadly reverse swing and toe-crushing yorkers.
He formed one of the most feared fast-bowling duos with Wasim Akram. Waqar’s aggressive style, especially with the old ball, made him one of the fastest and most dangerous bowlers of the 1990s.
19. Malcolm Marshall – 22 Five-Wicket Hauls
In just 81 Tests, Malcolm Marshall snatched 22 five-wicket hauls and 4 ten-wicket match hauls. He finished with 376 wickets at an impressive average of 20.94. His best innings performance was 7/22.
Known for his lethal pace, sharp bounce, and deceptive swing, Marshall dominated batters across the world. His strike rate is 46.7, and his economy is 2.68. Despite his relatively short height, he generated a steep bounce and was the spearhead of the West Indies’ fearsome pace attack during the 1980s.
20. Curtly Ambrose – 22 Five-Wicket Hauls
Curtly Ambrose, standing over 6 feet 7 inches tall, used his height and precision to unsettle batting lineups. In his 98-Test career, he grabbed 405 wickets at a sensational average of 20.99.
His best innings figures were 8 for 45, with 22 five-wicket hauls and 3 ten-wicket match hauls.
21. CA Walsh – 22 Five-Wicket Hauls
CA Walsh has taken 22 five-wicket hauls in Test cricket, finishing his career with 519 wickets in 132 matches. He bowled with an economy of 2.53 and maintained a career average of 24.44.
His best innings figures were 7 for 37. Walsh played 132 Tests and consistently troubled batsmen with his pace and accuracy. He achieved 22 five-wicket hauls and several match-winning spells, making him one of the finest fast bowlers from the West Indies. His career spanned from 1984 to 2001, during which he became a key figure in the West Indies’ bowling attack.
Related Read:
- Top Bowlers With the Most 10-Wicket Hauls in Test Cricket
- Players With Most Double Centuries In Test Cricket
Conclusion: Who Can Break Murlidharan’s Record
Muttiah Muralitharan has taken the most 5-wicket hauls in Test cricket. No other bowler has reached this number yet.
While players like Ashwin and Lyon are doing well, breaking this record won’t be easy. Still, with more matches and fitness today, a future star might come close. Cricket fans will be watching to see if anyone can match Murali’s magic in the years ahead.
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