Bowlers Who Have Taken 600 Or More Wickets In Test Cricket

England veteran seamer James Anderson joined an elite list of bowlers and became the latest entrant into the 600-wicket club. He picked the wicket of Azhar Ali on day five of the third Test against Pakistan in Southampton. It was indeed a long-time coming for Anderson as he witnessed several dropped catches off his bowling.

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Reaching the 600-wicket mark is no mean feat or achievement. Bowlers have to have the determination, fitness, and skill to cross the landmark. Furthermore, the consistency becomes equally essential as the competition comes into play fiercely. From 1877 till now, only four bowlers have crossed the 600-wicket mark in Test cricket.

We take a look at four bowlers who have breached the 600 wickets in Test cricket:

James Anderson – 600:

As already mentioned, James Anderson is the newest member of the club, having reached the feat in his 156th Test. By taking 600 wickets, he also became the first fast bowler to get to the milestone. The 38-year old has been the pioneer of English’s Test side for well more than a decade now.

Anderson made his debut in 2003 against Zimbabwe and took the first of his 29 five-wicket hauls in his maiden Test. Along with Stuart Broad, he has formed one of the most lethal fast bowling pairs in the longest format of the game. At 38, Anderson has declared he has the desire to play for England for another year.

Anil Kumble – 619:

Former Indian Test captain Anil Kumble is the next on this list with 619 under his belt in 132 Tests. Anil Kumble headlined India’s spin-bowling attack for the best part of his playing career, having debuted in 1990. The 49-year old retired from international as India’s highest wicket-taker in whites.

Anil Kumble was also a handy batsman down the order, who has a Test century to his name, scored at the Oval in 2007. Kumble is also one of the bowlers to take all ten wickets in an inning, doing so against Pakistan in 1999. The Karnataka-born bowler also served as the national team’s coach for a short while.

Shane Warne – 708:

Australia’s Shane Warne was arguably the greatest leg-spinner to have graced the game. While Shane Warne’s debut was far from impressive; however, by the time he finished his career, he was the highest wicket-taker. The Victorian legend ended his 145-match Test career at the end of the 2006-07 Ashes series.

With 37 five-wicket hauls, the 50-year old has the second-highest number of it. Warne also holds the record for the highest number of Test runs without scoring a hundred. After retiring, he played in the IPL for the Rajasthan Royals, guiding them to the title victory in the inaugural season of the IPL. Warne currently works as a commentator for Sky Sports.

Muttiah Muralitharan – 800:

With 800 wickets in 133 Tests at 22.72, Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan sits at the top of the tree, head and shoulders above his rivals. Muttiah Muralitharan might go unbreached for a very long period. The Kandy-born off-spinner reached the 800-wicket mark in the very last Test of his illustrious career.

It was in Galle that Muralitharan got to the milestone by picking up the wicket of India’s Pragyan Ojha, which was his eighth scalp of the game. Sri Lanka recorded a resounding victory by ten wickets in the clash. With 67 five-wicket hauls in his career, the 48-year old has the highest number of it. Muralitharan served as Australia’s spin-bowling coach as well.

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