The record for the fastest 500 wickets in Test cricket stands as one of the most remarkable achievements in the sport’s history. It represents years of consistency, discipline, and brilliance with the ball — a milestone that only a handful of bowlers have managed to reach.
Achieving it in the fewest matches showcases not just skill, but dominance across all conditions and against the best batsmen in the world.
Reaching this landmark so swiftly highlights how certain bowlers have redefined the art of wicket-taking in Test cricket.
Their ability to maintain pressure, adapt to pitches, and deliver match-winning performances has made them legends of the game, forever etched in cricket’s record books among the fastest to 500 wickets in Test cricket.
Top Bowlers Fastest to Take 500 Wickets in Test Cricket
Achieving 500 wickets in Test cricket is one of the most prestigious milestones for any bowler, but doing it quickly is a true mark of greatness.
The top bowlers fastest to take 500 wickets in Test cricket include legends like Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne, R Ashwin, Anil Kumble, and Glenn McGrath.
These players combined skill, consistency, and determination to dominate batsmen across the world, setting records that continue to inspire aspiring cricketers today.
| Player | Country | Date Achieved | Matches to 500 | Time Taken |
| Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka | 16 Mar 2004 | 87 | 11y 201d |
| R. Ashwin | India | 15 Feb 2024 | 98 | 12y 101d |
| Anil Kumble | India | 9 Mar 2006 | 105 | 15y 212d |
| Shane Warne | Australia | 8 Mar 2004 | 108 | 12y 66d |
| Glenn McGrath | Australia | 21 Jul 2005 | 110 | 11y 251d |
| Nathan Lyon | Australia | 14 Dec 2023 | 123 | 12y 105d |
| Courtney Walsh | West Indies | 17 Mar 2001 | 129 | 16y 128d |
| James Anderson | England | 7 Sep 2017 | 129 | 14y 108d |
| Stuart Broad | England | 24 Jul 2020 | 140 | 12y 228d |
#1. Muttiah Muralitharan
Muttiah Muralitharan, Sri Lanka’s famous off-spin bowler, holds the record for the fastest 500 wickets in Test cricket. He achieved this incredible milestone in just 87 matches against Australia in Kandy. Over his long career, Muralitharan played 133 Tests and took a world-record 800 wickets, making him one of the greatest bowlers of all time.
He was known for his amazing ability to spin the ball even on flat pitches and constantly troubled top batsmen around the world. Muralitharan also took 67 five-wicket hauls and 22 ten-wicket match hauls. His skill, control, and focus made him a dominant and respected figure in Test cricket for many years.
Muttiah Muralitharan – Career Bowling Highlights (Tests)
- Matches Played: 133
- Innings Bowled: 230
- Balls Bowled: 44,039
- Runs Conceded: 18,180
- Wickets Taken: 800 (world record)
- Best Bowling in an Innings (BBI): 9/51
- Best Bowling in a Match (BBM): 16/220
- Bowling Average: 22.72
- Economy Rate: 2.47 runs per over
- Strike Rate: 55.0 balls per wicket
- Four-Wicket Hauls: 45
- Five-Wicket Hauls: 67
- Ten-Wicket Match Hauls: 22
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#2. R. Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s leading off-spinner, has played 106 Tests and taken 537 wickets at an average of 24.00. Known for his clever variations and control, he has 37 five-wicket hauls and 8 ten-wicket match hauls.
Ashwin consistently troubles top batsmen and has been a key player in India’s Test team with match-winning performances.
Ravichandran Ashwin – Career Bowling Highlights (Tests)
- Matches Played: 106
- Innings Bowled: 200
- Balls Bowled: 27,246
- Runs Conceded: 12,891
- Wickets Taken: 537
- Best Bowling in an Innings (BBI): 7/59
- Best Bowling in a Match (BBM): 13/140
- Bowling Average: 24.00
- Economy Rate: 2.83 runs per over
- Strike Rate: 50.7 balls per wicket
- Four-Wicket Hauls: 25
- Five-Wicket Hauls: 37
- Ten-Wicket Match Hauls: 8
#3. Anil Kumble
Anil Kumble, India’s legendary leg-spinner, played 132 Tests and took 619 wickets at an average of 29.65. His best innings figures are 10/74 and best match figures are 14/149, showcasing his ability to take many wickets in a single game.
Kumble claimed 35 five-wicket hauls and 8 ten-wicket match hauls during his career. Known for his accuracy, bounce, and persistence, he consistently challenged top batsmen and remains one of the most respected bowlers in cricket history.
Anil Kumble – Career Bowling Highlights (Tests)
- Matches Played: 132
- Innings Bowled: 236
- Balls Bowled: 40,850
- Runs Conceded: 18,355
- Wickets Taken: 619
- Best Bowling in an Innings (BBI): 10/74
- Best Bowling in a Match (BBM): 14/149
- Bowling Average: 29.65
- Economy Rate: 2.69 runs per over
- Strike Rate: 65.9 balls per wicket
- Four-Wicket Hauls: 31
- Five-Wicket Hauls: 35
#4. Shane Warne
Australia’s Shane Warne was a master of leg-spin, claiming 708 wickets in 145 Tests at an average of 25.41. He achieved 8/71 in an innings and 12/128 in a match.
Warne also recorded 37 five-wicket hauls and 10 ten-wicket match hauls, proving his consistency and dominance over top batsmen worldwide.
Shane Warne – Career Bowling Highlights (Tests)
- Matches Played: 145
- Innings Bowled: 273
- Balls Bowled: 40,705
- Runs Conceded: 17,995
- Wickets Taken: 708
- Best Bowling in an Innings (BBI): 8/71
- Best Bowling in a Match (BBM): 12/128
- Bowling Average: 25.41
- Economy Rate: 2.65 runs per over
- Strike Rate: 57.4 balls per wicket
- Four-Wicket Hauls: 48
- Five-Wicket Hauls: 37
- Ten-Wicket Match Hauls: 10
#5. Glenn McGrath
Glenn McGrath, Australia’s legendary fast-medium bowler, played 124 Tests and took 563 wickets at an average of 21.64. His best innings figures are 8/24, and his best match figures are 10/27.
He also claimed 29 five-wicket hauls and 3 ten-wicket match hauls. Known for his incredible accuracy, consistency, and ability to move the ball, McGrath was a constant threat to batsmen and one of the most reliable bowlers in cricket history.
Glenn McGrath – Career Bowling Highlights (Tests)
- Matches Played: 124
- Innings Bowled: 243
- Balls Bowled: 29,248
- Runs Conceded: 12,186
- Wickets Taken: 563
- Best Bowling in an Innings (BBI): 8/24
- Best Bowling in a Match (BBM): 10/27
- Bowling Average: 21.64
- Economy Rate: 2.49 runs per over
- Strike Rate: 51.9 balls per wicket
- Four-Wicket Hauls: 28
- Five-Wicket Hauls: 29
- Ten-Wicket Match Hauls: 3
#6. Nathan Lyon
Nathan Lyon, Australia’s leading off-spinner, has played 139 Tests and taken 562 wickets at an average of 30.14. His best innings figures are 8/50, and his best match figures are 13/154.
He has also claimed 24 five-wicket hauls and 5 ten-wicket match hauls. Known for his accuracy, bounce, and clever variations, Lyon has been a key part of Australia’s Test bowling attack and one of the most reliable spinners in modern cricket.
Nathan Lyon – Career Highlights (Tests)
- Matches Played: 139, making him one of Australia’s most experienced off-spinners.
- Wickets Taken: 562 wickets at an average of 30.14, including 24 five-wicket hauls and 5 ten-wicket matches.
- Best Bowling Figures: 8/50 in an innings and 13/154 in a match, showcasing match-winning ability.
- Bowling Consistency: 34,502 balls bowled with an economy of 2.94 and a strike rate of 61.3.
- Lower-Order Contributions: Scored 1,638 runs with a top score of 47, proving handy with the bat.
- Fielding Prowess: 64 catches in Tests, often playing key roles in the slips.
- Global Impact: Excelled across Australia, India, England, and South Africa, making him one of the most reliable spinners of the modern era.
#7. Courtney Walsh
Courtney Walsh, the West Indies fast bowler, played 132 Tests and took 519 wickets at an average of 24.44. His best innings figures are 7/37, and his best match figures are 13/55.
He also recorded 22 five-wicket hauls and 3 ten-wicket match hauls. Known for his pace, bounce, and consistency, Walsh was a relentless bowler who dominated batsmen and became one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history.
Courtney Walsh – Career Highlights (Tests)
- Matches Played: 132, representing a long and consistent Test career for the West Indies.
- Wickets Taken: 519 wickets at an average of 24.44, including 22 five-wicket hauls and 3 ten-wicket matches.
- Best Bowling Figures: 7/37 in an innings and 13/55 in a match, highlighting his match-winning spells.
- Bowling Consistency: Delivered 30,019 balls with an economy rate of 2.53 and a strike rate of 57.8.
- Lower-Order Contributions: Scored 936 runs with a highest score of 30*, providing useful runs down the order.
- Fielding Prowess: Took 29 catches in Tests, supporting the team in crucial fielding positions.
- Global Impact: Known for his pace, accuracy, and longevity, Walsh dominated batsmen worldwide and formed one of cricket’s most feared fast-bowling duos with Curtly Ambrose.
#8. James Anderson
Achieving a major bowling milestone in Test cricket requires years of dedication, consistency, and skill. Crossing the 500-wicket mark reflects a bowler’s ability to dominate across different conditions and against the best batsmen in the world. Some of the legends of the game have gone on to claim more than 700 wickets in around 130–140 matches, showcasing exceptional longevity and unmatched mastery over the sport.
James Anderson – Career Highlights (Tests)
- Matches Played: 188, making him one of the most experienced fast bowlers in Test history.
- Wickets Taken: 704 wickets at an average of 26.45, including 32 five-wicket hauls and 3 ten-wicket matches.
- Best Bowling Figures: 7/42 in an innings and 11/71 in a match, showcasing his match-winning potential.
- Bowling Consistency: Bowled 40,037 balls with an economy rate of 2.79 and a strike rate of 56.8.
- Lower-Order Contributions: Scored 1,353 runs with a highest score of 81, including one Test fifty.
- Fielding Prowess: Took 107 catches in Tests, often in slip positions supporting England’s bowling attack.
- Global Impact: Renowned for his swing, seam movement, and longevity, Anderson has dominated batsmen across all conditions, becoming England’s all-time leading wicket-taker.
#9. Stuart Broad
Stuart Broad, England’s veteran fast bowler, has been a key figure in Test cricket for years. Over 167 matches and 309 innings, he has bowled 33,698 deliveries, conceding 16,719 runs and taking 604 wickets. Broad’s best innings figures are 8/15, and his best match figures are 11/121.
With an average of 27.68, an economy rate of 2.97, and a strike rate of 55.7, he has also claimed 28 four-wicket hauls, 20 five-wicket hauls, and 3 ten-wicket matches.
Known for his ability to extract bounce and movement, Broad combines skill, experience, and consistency, making him one of the most formidable fast bowlers of his generation.
Stuart Broad –Career Highlights (Tests)
- Matches Played: 167, making him one of England’s most experienced fast bowlers.
- Wickets Taken: 604 wickets at an average of 27.68, including 20 five-wicket hauls and 3 ten-wicket matches.
- Best Bowling Figures: 8/15 in an innings and 11/121 in a match, highlighting his devastating spells.
- Bowling Consistency: Bowled 33,698 balls with an economy rate of 2.97 and a strike rate of 55.7.
- Batting Contributions: Scored 3,662 runs with a highest score of 169, including 1 century and 13 fifties — a genuine lower-order contributor.
- Fielding Prowess: Took 55 catches in Tests, often in slip or close-catching positions.
- Global Impact: Known for his height, bounce, and seam movement, Broad has consistently troubled top batsmen worldwide and formed one of England’s most feared pace attacks alongside James Anderson.
Final Words
Reaching 500 wickets in Test cricket is a milestone that reflects skill, consistency, and dedication over many years. The fastest bowlers to achieve this feat, including legends like Muttiah Muralitharan, R. Ashwin, Shane Warne, and Anil Kumble, have left a lasting mark on the game.
Their records and achievements inspire future generations of cricketers, showing that talent combined with hard work can create history in the world of cricket.
FAQs
1. Who was the fastest bowler to reach 500 wickets in Test cricket?
A. Muttiah Muralitharan holds the record, reaching 500 wickets in just 87 matches.
2. How many bowlers have taken over 500 wickets in Test cricket?
A. As of now, 11 bowlers have crossed the 500-wicket mark in Test cricket.
3. Who are the top 5 fastest bowlers to 500 Test wickets?
A. The top 5 fastest are Muttiah Muralitharan, R. Ashwin, Anil Kumble, Shane Warne, and Glenn McGrath.
4. Which bowler has the most wickets in Test cricket?
A. Muttiah Muralitharan holds the record for the most wickets in Test cricket, with 800 wickets.
5. Are spin bowlers faster than fast bowlers to 500 wickets?
A. Spin bowlers like Muralitharan and Ashwin often reach 500 wickets faster because they play more matches in spin-friendly conditions, but both spin and fast bowlers have excelled at this milestone.
