5 Bowlers With Fastest To 250 Test Wickets

Sep 17, 2018 at 5:44 PM

facebook iconlinkedin iconmail icontwitter iconWhatsApp iconTelegram icon
5 Bowlers With Fastest To 250 Test Wickets

Time and again it has been said bowling is nothing less than an art, as it requires creativity and precision to deliver the perfect end result. Getting to a milestone is the ultimate aim of a bowler, as it lends tremendous credibility of that individual.    leading wicket taker in odi

Indian off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin rewrote the history books, as during the one-off Test against Bangladesh at Hyderabad, he became the quickest bowler to get to 250 Test wickets, in terms of the matches played. Ashwin, who has been an absolute gem for India ever since he began playing the red ball cricket, went past the legendary Dennis Lillee to become the quickest bowler to get to the esteemed milestone.

As a tribute to some Test bowling legends, we go through the list of five bowlers, who got to the 250 wickets milestone in the quickest span of time:

  1. Waqar Younis – 51 Tests:

The former Pakistan captain was nothing short of menacing in his playing days as he had fear in the hearts of batsmen. Waqar, often considered to be overshadowed by his new ball partner Wasim Akram, in fact seemed superior to the latter in a few vital aspects. Statistically, Waqar indeed was superior to get to 250 Test wickets, as he got it in his 51st Test against South Africa at Port Elizabeth on March 6, 1998, almost nine years after his Test debut. With a jaw dropping strike rate of 43.4, or a wicket every 7.1 overs, it is not at all surprising to find Waqar Younis in this elite list.

  1. Allan Donald – 50 Tests:

The “White Lightening” as his fans affectionately called him, stands fourth in the list as he got to the record in his 50th Test. Donald, who like Waqar was an absolute menace and a terror to the opposition batsmen, got to the tally against the West Indies at home in Durban during the Boxing Day Test of 1998. Post his 50th Test, the South African pace legend could feature in only 22 more Tests before ultimately retiring from international cricket. In an overall Test career spanning 72 Tests, Donald picked up 330 scalps, at a tremendous average of 22.25.

Dale Steyn reveals his mantra for success in Australia

  1. Dale Steyn – 49 Tests:

Undoubtedly the greatest pacer of this generation, Dale Steyn has been a class apart and his numbers are just a shadow of what he has offered to world cricket with his unparalleled skills. In a generation, which has been fed on a diet of batting heroics, Steyn stands out as an example, as he got to his 250th Test wicket in just his 49th game. The feat came against Sri Lanka at Centurion on December 15, 2011 as Steyn bowled yet another fine spell. With injuries sadly being a hurdle to his career, one cannot simply say more than the fact that Steyn has been an absolute legend of the game with his fine performances.

  1. Dennis Lillee – 48 Tests:

Lillee, who held the feat previously, got to the milestone in just his 48th Test against India on February 7, 1981 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Lillee is most fondly remembered for his bowling pair with the terrifying Jeff Thompson, as the duo formed a formidable bowling pair. In a glorious career which spanned 70 Test matches right from 1971 to 1984, this right arm pacer picked up 355 wickets at a stunning bowling average of 23.92. After analyzing the career of this iconic pacer, one can easily understand that why Australia produces world class pacers. The examples which the Aussies look up to are larger than life, with Lillee being a stand out case in himself.

  1. Ravichandran Ashwin – 45* Tests:

In the ongoing Test against Bangladesh at Hyderabad, Ashwin finds himself at the top of the list, as he just broke through the feat in his 45th game. The Indian off-spinner has brought about a complete change in India’s bowling department as he has single handedly spun his side to glory. More than being a match-winner, Ashwin has been a series winner, with Man of the Series awards in nations such as Sri Lanka and the West Indies. After getting to this magnanimous feat, Ashwin will be eager to replicate the same form outside the sub-continent and ensure he is counted among the modern day greats.

Related Article
That’s A Real Shocker: Waqar Younis Slams Pakistan For Resting Shaheen Afridi For Sydney Test
That’s A Real Shocker: Waqar Younis Slams Pakistan For Resting Shaheen Afridi For Sydney Test

Jan 3, 2024, 11:06 AM


He Is Over Trying To Get Wickets – Waqar Younis Decodes Shaheen Afridi’s Poor Form In Ongoing World Cup
He Is Over Trying To Get Wickets – Waqar Younis Decodes Shaheen Afridi’s Poor Form In Ongoing World Cup

Oct 17, 2023, 1:22 PM


ODI World Cup 2023: I’m Sure He Will Sit Back With Morne Morkel – Waqar Younis Backs Shaheen Afridi To Deliver Goods In Coming Games
ODI World Cup 2023: I’m Sure He Will Sit Back With Morne Morkel – Waqar Younis Backs Shaheen Afridi To Deliver Goods In Coming Games

Oct 11, 2023, 1:33 PM


“No One’s Comments Really Matter”- Waqar Younis On Sourav Ganguly’s ‘India Keep Winning One-Sided’ Jibe At Pakistan
“No One’s Comments Really Matter”- Waqar Younis On Sourav Ganguly’s ‘India Keep Winning One-Sided’ Jibe At Pakistan

Jul 21, 2023, 2:34 PM


Imam-ul-Haq Backs Babar Azam To Break Virat Kohli’s Multiple Records
Imam-ul-Haq Backs Babar Azam To Break Virat Kohli’s Multiple Records

Jul 15, 2022, 4:44 PM


Umar Akmal Accused Former Pakistan Coaches; Waqar Younis And Mickey Arthur For Ruining His Career
Umar Akmal Accused Former Pakistan Coaches; Waqar Younis And Mickey Arthur For Ruining His Career

Jun 15, 2022, 5:22 PM


Desktop Banner
Mobile Banner