Most Bowlers With 700+ Wickets in International Cricket
Ashwin claimed his 700th international wicket on Wednesday [AP]
In a remarkable turn of events, veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin etched his name in history books, breaching the 700-wicket landmark in international cricket. On the first day of the ongoing Dominica Test between India and West Indies, the veteran cricketer rattled the hosts with a spectacular fifer and attained the aforementioned milestone in this process.
However, there are several legendary bowlers to have claimed 700 or more international wickets. As Ashwin becomes the latest entrant to the illustrious list, here we provide you with the names of the bowlers who have achieved the marvellous feat before him.
1.Muttiah Muralitharan (1347 wickets in 495 matches)
Muralitharan has claimed most wickets in international cricket [Twitter]
The legendary spinner played a pivotal role in the rise of Sri Lankan cricket in the 90s and early 2000s. A wily craftsman with the ball, Muralitharan tops the list with a whopping 1347 scalps to his name in international cricket.
2. Shane Warne (1001 wickets in 339 matches)
Hailed as one of the finest-ever cricketers, Shane Warne was a trump card with the ball for Australia in his playing days. With 1001 wickets in 339 matches, Warne sits at the second position on the list of highest wicket-takers.
3. James Anderson (977 wickets in 397 matches)
Regarded as the greatest-ever bowler from England, James Anderson has been a force to reckon with the ball, especially in Test cricket. The swing maestro holds the record for the highest scalps by a pacer, with 977 international wickets in 397 appearances.
4. Anil Kumble (956 wickets in 403 matches)
Hailed for his unmatched fighting spirit and never-say-die attitude, Anil Kumble has taken the most wickets for India in international cricket. The legendary leg-spinner holds the fourth position on this list with 956 wickets in 403 matches.
5. Glenn McGrath (949 wickets in 376 matches)
Glenn McGrath [Source: Twitter]
Arguably the greatest pacer of all time, Glenn McGrath used to give sleepless nights to the opponent batters. An ICC Hall of Fame inductee, the Australian stalwart is the fifth-highest wicket-taker with 949 wickets in 376 matches.
6. Wasim Akram (916 wickets in 460 matches)
Known as the Sultan of Swing, Wasim Akram reached unprecedented heights in international cricket, helping Pakistan script countless victories during his playing days. With 916 wickets in 460 matches, the left-arm fast bowler sits at the sixth position on this list.
7. Stuart Broad (847 wickets in 344 matches)
James Anderson's partner-in-crime, Stuart Broad has been a prolific performer for England over the years. Hailed for his exploits in Tests, Broad occupies the seventh position on this list with 847 wickets in 344 matches.
8. Shaun Pollock (829 wickets in 423 matches)
Legendary South African pacer Shaun Pollock was a magician with the ball and could swing the game into his team's favour at will. The right-arm seamer sits at the eighth place with 829 wickets in 423 matches.
9. Waqar Younis (789 wickets in 349 matches)
Waqar Younis in action [Twitter]
Regarded as one of the finest exponents of reverse swing, Waqar Younis graced the game for 14 long years, serving Pakistan with distinction. He is placed ninth on this list with 789 wickets in 349 matches.
10. Chaminda Vaas (761 wickets in 439 matches)
A crafty left-arm seamer with a smooth action, Chaminda Vaas troubled the bests in business with the new ball at his peak. The Lankan legend is placed tenth on this list with 761 scalps to his name in 439 outings.
11. Courtney Walsh (746 wickets in 337 matches)
Regarded as a tricky customer with the ball, Courtney Walsh could make batters to dance on his tunes. The talismanic West Indies fast bowler occupies the eleventh position on the list with 746 wickets in 337 matches.
12. Brett Lee (718 wickets in 322 matches)
Brett Lee celebrating a dismissal [Twitter]
One of the fastest bowlers ever, Brett Lee rose to prominence in the early 2000s, grabbing a million eyeballs through his searing pace. The right-arm pacer sits at the twelfth position on this list with 718 wickets in 322 matches.
13. Tim Southee (714 wickets in 355 matches)
A crafty swing bowler by nature, Tim Southee holds the record for the most dismissals by a New Zealand bowler with 714 wickets in 355 international matches.
14. Harbhajan Singh (711 wickets in 367 matches)
An off-spinner who took the mighty Aussies by storm in the early 2000s, Harbhajan Singh is regarded as one of India's finest bowlers of all time. With 711 scalps to his name, the turbanator occupies the 14th position on this list.
15. Daniel Vettori (705 wickets in 442 matches)
Daniel Vettori with Brendon McCullum [Twitter]
Inarguably the greatest-ever Kiwi spinner, Daniel Vettori was regarded as one of the most difficult bowlers to score against during his playing days. The former New Zealand captain is placed fifteenth on the list with 705 wickets in 442 outings.
16. Ravichandran Ashwin (712 wickets in 280 matches)
The sixteenth position is occupied by none other than Ravichandran Ashwin, the latest bowler to enter the 700-wicket club. A master of variations, Ashwin has 712 wickets to his name and could move several places up by adding more dismissals to his tally before retiring.
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