Top 5 Wicket-Takers in Ashes History
Warne had his times against Australia (Twitter)
One of the oldest rivalries in cricket, England and Australia have been engaged in an intense battle to claim Test supremacy since 1882-23, in a series that is aptly called 'The Ashes'. Even in 2023, Ashes continues to grip cricket fans on their TV/mobile screens as Australia and England battle it out to win the cherished urn.
While batters are important to win matches, the ability to win series mostly rests upon the bowlers, who toil hard in the middle, to pick 20 opposition wickets. With such a rich history involved, making a name in the folklore of Ashes history is not an easy task, however, there have been bowlers, who have left an irreversible mark on the series over the years.
Let's take a look into the top 5 leading wicket-takers in Ashes history:
Shane Warne
Shane Warne [Source: Twitter]
Leading the list is quite obviously Australia's Shane Warne with 195 wickets in 36 Tests, that lasted between 1993 and 2007. Warne gained instant recognition in his maiden Ashes series in England, with the 'Ball of the Century' to get the better of Mike Gatting.
Since then, Warne feasted upon England batters with his guile, spin, and wizardry with the ball. The leg-spinner's best Ashes series came in 2005, when he snared up 40 wickets, at an average of under 20.
Warne's tally read 11 five-wicket and 10 four-wicket hauls with a best of 8 for 71, which came in the 1994-95 Gabba Test.
Matches: 36 Wickets: 195 Average: 23.25
Glenn McGrath
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Glenn McGrath [Source: Twitter]
One-half of Australia's most deadly duo, Glenn McGrath became a key figure in the side's dominance over England in the 1990s and 2000s. Known for his line and disciplined bowling, McGrath made life difficult for batters to play in English conditions, while using the new ball in Australia to perfection.
The 53-year-old in 30 Test against England, claimed 157 wickets, at a miserly average of 20.92, which include 10 five-fors between 1994 and 2007. The lanky bowler was the last bowler from either side to play all five Test in a series (1997 series).
McGrath created history during the first Ashes match in 2005, becoming the fourth bowler to 500 Test wickets. An unfortunate injury ended the tour, however, McGrath helped Australia regain the urn back in the 2006-07 series, claiming 21 wickets.
Matches: 30 Wickets: 157 Average: 20.92
Hugh Trumble
Hugh Trumble [Source: Twitter]
In just 31 Tests, Australia's Hugh Trumble claimed 141 wickets, all of which came in Ashes encounters between 1890 and 1904. The tall off-spinner troubled England batters on uncovered wickets, by extracting extra bounce and using his pin-point accuracy to perfection.
Trumble, who was the first bowler to claim two Test hat-tricks, registered both landmarks at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1901-02 and 1903-04. Trumble is joint-third on the list of the most number of dismissals against a batter in Ashes history, getting the better of England's Tom Hayward 15 times.
The Abbotsford-born picked up nine five-fors and three 10-wicket hauls.
Matches: 31 Wickets: 141 Average: 20.88
Stuart Broad
Stuart Broad [Source: Twitter]
In what could be a surprise for many, Egnalnd's only representative in the Top 5 is Stuart Broad and not James Anderson. Broad in his long Ashes career has seen both the fall and the rise, that there is to offer between these arch-rivals.
The 36-year-old made headlines during the 2015 series, claiming an eight-for at Trent Bridge, helping England win the fourth Test, which gave the hosts an unassailable 3-1 lead.
Broad, despite his struggles in Australia, has managed to pick 137 wickets between 2009 and 2023 with eight five-wicket and one 10-for. The Lanky seam bowler continues to do well in the ongoing Ashes as well as seen at Edgbaston.
Matches: 36 Wickets: 137 Average 28.71
Dennis Lillee
Dennis Lillee [Source:Twitter]
One of the most feared fast-bowler of his era, Dennis Lillee completes an Australian-dominated Top 5. Lillee, known for his moustache, headbands, and massive delivery strides spared no one with his aggressive bowling, including the English batters.
The 73-year-old played a huge role in Australia's England tour in 1972, which cemented his place in the league of great bowlers. Despite the series ending in a 2-2 draw, Lillee claimed 31 wickets.
With a remodelled action, Lillee along with Jeff Thompson tormented England batters in Ashes 1974-75 Down Under, picking up 25 wickets. In 24 Tests against England, Lillee ended up with 128 wickets, which include seven five-fors and two 10-wicket hauls.
 "Vishal Mehra")
