Currently Active Leading Wicket Taker Of Each Country In Test Cricket

In Test cricket, a bowler can bowl an unlimited number of overs, unlike the ODI or T20Is. This advantage gives bowlers enough time to give their best show in a Test match. However, since the batsmen to have an unlimited number of overs to bat, they often showcase defensive batting in the longest format of the game. This makes bowlers’ job to bag wickets a little difficult in Test cricket.

At present, 12 countries have Test status given by ICC. Among these 12 nations, Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Bangladesh, South Africa, and England are the countries that play regular Test series. In comparison, teams like Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, and Ireland play a lot fewer Test matches.

Many bowlers from these countries have scalped a lot of wickets in Test. In this listicle, we take a glance at the currently active leading wicket-taker of each country in Test cricket.

Currently Active Leading Wicket Taker Of Each Country In Test Cricket

Sri Lanka- Suranga Lakmal (167 Wickets)

For Sri Lanka, Suranga Lakmal is the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket among active players. The right-arm seamer has played 66 Test matches since his debut in November 2010. In 117 innings, the 34-year-old player has picked 167 wickets at an average of 36.31.

Lakmal has also taken 4 five-wicket hauls in Tests. His best bowling figure in an innings is 5/47 while in a match is 7/80. Overall, Suranga Lakmal is the 4th highest wicket-taker for Sri Lanka in Tests.

South Africa- Kagiso Rabada (213 Wickets)

Kagiso Rabada is the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket for South Africa among active players. The right-arm pacer made his Test debut in November 2015 against India. So far, he has scalped 213 wickets in 47 matches, after bowling in 86 Test innings. Rabada has a bowling average of 22.75.

The Proteas bowler accounts for 10 five-wicket hauls and 4 ten-wicket hauls. Rabada’s best bowling show in an innings in Tests is 7/122 while in a match is 13/144. Overall, Rabada is the 8th highest wicket-taker for South Africa in Tests.

Bangladesh- Shakib Al Hasan (215 Wickets)

For Bangladesh, Shakib Al Hasan is the highest wicket-taker in the Test among active players. The Bangladesh all-rounder has played 58 Test matches so far. In 98 innings, the left-arm spinner has picked 215 wickets at an average of 31.06.

The 34-year-old player has also picked 18 five-wicket hauls and 2 ten-wicket hauls. Hasan is also the highest wicket-taker for Bangladesh in Test cricket.

West Indies- Kemar Roach (223 Wickets)

Kemar Roach is the leading wicket-taker for West Indies in Test cricket among active players. The right-arm pacer accounts for 223 wickets in 166 Test innings. In 65 Tests so far, Roach has bowled at an average of 27.32.

The 33-year-old bowler also accounts for 9 five-wicket hauls and 1 ten-wicket haul. His best bowling figure in a Test innings is 6/48. In a match, his best bowling figure is 10/146. Kemar Roach is currently the 8th highest wicket-taker for West Indies in Tests.

Pakistan- Yasir Shah (235 Wickets)

For Pakistan, Yasir Shah is the leading wicket-taker in Test cricket among active players. Since his Test debut in 2014, the leg-spinner has played 45 Test games. In 83 innings, Shah has scalped 235 wickets at an average of 30.83.

The right-arm spinner also accounts for 16 five-wicket hauls and 3 ten-wicket hauls in Tests. His best bowling figure in an innings is 8/41 while in a match is 14/184. Currently, Shah is the 6^th highest wicket-taker for Pakistan in Tests.

New Zealand- Tim Southee (314 Wickets)

Among active players in New Zealand cricket, Tim Southee is the leading wicket-taker in Tests. The right-arm pacer has played 79 Test matches in his career so far. In 148 innings, Southee has picked 314 wickets at an average of 28.22.

The 32-year-old bowler also accounts for 12 five-wicket hauls and 1 ten-wicket haul. 7/64 is Southee’s best bowling show in an innings while 10/108 is his best bowling show in a match. With 314 wickets, Tim Southee is the 3rd highest wicket-taker for New Zealand in Test cricket.

Australia- Nathan Lyon (399 Wickets)

For Australia, Nathan Lyon is the leading wicket-taker in Test cricket if we consider the active players. The 33-year-old bowler made his Test debut in 2011 and has so far played 100 Test matches. In 191 innings, the right-arm spinner has scalped 399 wickets at an average of 32.12.

The Aussie off-spinner has picked 18 five-wicket hauls and 3 ten-wicket hauls. Lyon’s best bowling figures in a Test innings is 8/50 and in a match is 13/154. Lyon is also the 3^rd highest wicket-taker for Australia in Tests.

India- Ravichandran Ashwin (413 Wickets)

Ravichandran Ashwin is the leading wicket-taker for India in Test cricket among active players. Since his debut in 2011, the right-arm spinner has played 79 Test matches. In 148 innings, the off-spinner has scalped 413 wickets at an average of 24.56.

Ashwin has also picked 30 five-wicket hauls and 7 ten-wicket hauls in Tests. His best bowling show in an innings is 7/59 while in a match is 13/140. With 413 wickets, Ashwin is also the 4th highest wicket-taker for India in Tests.

England- James Anderson (621 Wickets)

For England, James Anderson is the leading wicket-taker in Tests among active players. In 163 Tests, Anderson has picked 621 wickets after bowling in 303 innings. The right-arm pacer is also the highest wicket-taker for England in Test cricket, as well as the 3rd highest wicket-taker overall.

He owns a bowling average of 26.60 in Tests and accounts for 30 five-wicket hauls and 3 ten-wicket hauls. The 38-year-old’s best bowling figures in an innings read 7/42 while in a match is 11/71.