Bowlers Fastest to 300 Wickets in Test Cricket

Test cricket has often witnessed absorbing sessions with batsmen rising against the tide before bowlers spoil their party by bowling their heart out. However, over the years, the traditional format is known for maintaining the incredibility which eventually pushed youngsters to make a wish. From Australian Dennis Lillee to the Windies Malcolm Marshall, the top ten list who are fastest to 300 wickets is solely owned by the veterans of the game.

Moreover, the list of top ten bowlers, who’re fastest to 300 wickets in Test cricket includes a solitary India in the form of Ravichandran Ashwin.

The star off-spinner Ashwin tops the chart while becoming the fastest to clinch 300 scalps in the five-day format.

In the recent past, while donning the whites, Ashwin has been a regular feature for Team India who carved out a niche.

Top ten bowlers fastest to 300 wickets in Test cricket:

1. Ravichandran Ashwin 300 wickets in 54 Tests:

Team India’s premium off-spin bowler Ravichandran Ashwin has quite often broken the back of opposition. To talk about the dust bowls he has been emphatic with the ball, Ashwin further delivered a punch in the overseas conditions. However, we might not find it quite satisfying, but he had been phenomenal at home.

The Chennai-based Ashwin tops the chart of bowlers fastest to 300 wickets in Test cricket. On 24th of November 2017, he bagged the record in a 54th Test match while taking on Sri Lanka National Cricket Team. Overall, Ashwin took six years and 18 days to pick 300-plus Test wickets during his Test career.

2. Dennis Lillee 300 wickets in 56 Tests:

Former Australian star bowler Dennis Lillee had bowled his heart out for the national team during his international. His consistency has allowed him to play his best part for the national team. Lillee represented Australia in 63 Tests to clinch 355 wickets at an average of 23.92. He has 23 five-wicket hauls and as many four-wicket hauls to his name.

The Perth-based Lillee is second on the list of bowlers fastest to 300 wickets in Test cricket. He achieved the feat against Pakistan at Gabba in Brisbane in November 1971. He was playing his 56th Test and took ten years and 302 days to go past the tally of 300 Test wickets.

3. Muttiah Muralitharan 300 wickets in 58 Tests:

Sri Lanka National Cricket Team’s Muttiah Muralitharan, who is the leading Test wicket-taker. The Lions legendary bowler Muralitharan had played a brilliant role in shaping up the Lankan cricket. Muralitharan further nursed the young breed of spinners in the Island Nation to contribute in his best possible way.

The veteran off-spinner Muralitharan is the third on the list of bowlers to 300 wickets in Test cricket. He achieved the landmark while playing his 58th Test fixture. To be precise, Muralitharan went past the tally of 300 Test wickets against South Africa National Cricket Team at Kingsmead in Durban in December 2000. He further took eight years and 120 days since he surpassed the 300 Test scalps.

4. Richard Hadlee 300 wickets in 61 Tests:

New Zealand National Cricket Team’s Hadlee had played a pivotal role in the bowling set-up. His contribution has further impressed the young bowlers on the Black Caps’ shores to don the coveted whites.

Overall, the Christchurch-based Hadlee featured in 86 Tests to clinch 431 wickets at an average of 22.29. He bagged 36 five-wicket hauls and 25 four-wicket haul. Furthermore, he recorded nine 10-wicket hauls during his Test career.

Hadlee is listed fourth on the list of bowlers fastest to 300 wickets in Test cricket after registering the milestone in his 61st Test. He achieved the feat against Australia at Wellington on 21st of February 1986.

5. Malcolm Marshall 300 wickets in 61 Tests:

The prominent paceman of West Indies Cricket Team Malcolm Marshall proved to be a nightmare for the top-class batters. Moreover, he bagged wickets at his will. The Barbados veteran Marshall featured in 81 Tests for the Windies. He bagged 376 Test scalps at the impressive bowling average of 20.94.

Interestingly, while donning the whites, Marshall clinched 22 five-wicket hauls and 19 four-fors between 1978 and 1991.

Marshall is fifth on the coveted list of bowlers fastest to 300 wickets in Test cricket. On 24th of December 1988, Marshall recorded the milestone against Australia at Melbourne. Since making his debut, Marshall took ten years and nine days to bag 300-plus Test scalps.

6.Dale Steyn 300 wickets in 61 Tests:

The No.1 bowler in the World Cup for most of the years Dale Steyn has instilled fear among the batters. The Proteas speedster had a remarkable run in the international fold which subsequently saw him bagging some record under his belt.

Styen, who’s been marred by multiple injuries, but his adamant approach hasn’t let him down throughout his career.

Steyn took 61 matches to claim 300 Test scalps. He recorded the feat against New Zealand at Cape Town on January 23, 2013. The passionate cricketer Styen has often reaped the rewards for steaming in to yield the results at his will.

7. Shane Warne 300 wickets in 63 Tests:

Shane Warne has been incredible with the ball during his heydays. He literally made life miserable of the distinct batsmen.

8. Allan Donald 300 wickets in 63 Tests:

His accuracy and very experienced knew South African veteran Allan Donald in stemming the run-flow.

9. Glenn McGrath 300 wickets in 64 Tests:

Australian veteran Glenn McGrath is ninth on the list with 300 scalps in 64 Tests. He has often backed himself before instilling knowledge among the youngsters.

10. Fred Trueman 300 wickets in 65 Tests:

England’s Fred Truman had achieved the milestone when he bagged the 300th test wicket at the Oval against Australia. However, it took him 65 Tests to achieve the feat.

Here’s the table of bowlers fastest to 300 wickets in Test cricket:

Serial No.	Player	Opposition	Ground	Match Date	Debut	Time	Matches
1	R Ashwin (INDIA)	v Sri Lanka	Nagpur	24 Nov 2017	6 Nov 2011	6y 18d	54
2	DK Lillee (AUS)	v Pakistan	Brisbane	27 Nov 1981	29 Jan 1971	10y 302d	56
3	M Muralitharan (SL)	v South Africa	Durban	26 Dec 2000	28 Aug 1992	8y 120d	58
4	RJ Hadlee (NZ)	v Australia	Wellington	21 Feb 1986	2 Feb 1973	13y 19d	61
5	MD Marshall (WI)	v Australia	Melbourne	24 Dec 1988	15 Dec 1978	10y 9d	61
6	DW Steyn (SA)	v New Zealand	Cape Town	2 Jan 2013	17 Dec 2004	8y 16d	61
7	SK Warne (AUS)	v South Africa	Sydney	2 Jan 1998	2 Jan 1992	6y 0d	63
8	AA Donald (SA)	v New Zealand	Bloemfontein	17 Nov 2000	18 Apr 1992	8y 213d	63
9	GD McGrath (AUS)	v West Indies	Perth	1 Dec 2000	12 Nov 1993	7y 19d	64
10	FS Trueman (ENG)	v Australia	The Oval	13 Aug 1964	5 Jun 1952	12y 69d	65
11	Waqar Younis (PAK)	v Sri Lanka	Colombo (SSC)	14 Jun 2000	15 Nov 1989	10y 212d	65
12	A Kumble (INDIA)	v England	Bengaluru	19 Dec 2001	9 Aug 1990	11y 132d	66
13	Imran Khan (PAK)	v England	Leeds	2 Jul 1987	3 Jun 1971	16y 29d	68
14	MG Johnson (AUS)	v England	Birmingham	29 Jul 2015	8 Nov 2007	7y 263d	69
15	HMRKB Herath (SL)	v England	Chester-le-Street	27 May 2016	22 Sep 1999	16y 248d	69
16	Wasim Akram (PAK)	v England	The Oval	22 Aug 1996	25 Jan 1985	11y 210d	70
17	CEL Ambrose (WI)	v Sri Lanka	St John’s	13 Jun 1997	2 Apr 1988	9y 72d	71
18	IT Botham (ENG)	v West Indies	The Oval	9 Aug 1984	28 Jul 1977	7y 12d	72
19	Harbhajan Singh (INDIA)	v Australia	Nagpur	6 Nov 2008	25 Mar 1998	10y 226d	72
20	B Lee (AUS)	v New Zealand	Brisbane	20 Nov 2008	26 Dec 1999	8y 330d	73
21	SM Pollock (SA)	v England	The Oval	4 Sep 2003	16 Nov 1995	7y 292d	74
22	M Ntini (SA)	v Pakistan	Port Elizabeth	19 Jan 2007	19 Mar 1998	8y 306d	74
23	LR Gibbs (WI)	v Australia	Perth	12 Dec 1975	5 Feb 1958	17y 310d	75
24	NM Lyon (AUS)	v South Africa	Cape Town	22 Mar 2018	31 Aug 2011	6y 203d	77
25	CA Walsh (WI)	v England	The Oval	24 Aug 1995	9 Nov 1984	10y 288d	80
26	RGD Willis (ENG)	v New Zealand	Leeds	28 Jul 1983	9 Jan 1971	12y 200d	81
27	JM Anderson (ENG)	v New Zealand	Lord’s	16 May 2013	22 May 2003	9y 359d	81
28	N Kapil Dev (INDIA)	v Sri Lanka	Cuttack	4 Jan 1987	16 Oct 1978	8y 80d	83
29	SCJ Broad (ENG)	v Australia	Nottingham	6 Aug 2015	9 Dec 2007	7y 240d	83
30	M Morkel (SA)	v Australia	Cape Town	22 Mar 2018	26 Dec 2006	11y 86d	85
31	Z Khan (INDIA)	v South Africa	Johannesburg	18 Dec 2013	10 Nov 2000	13y 38d	89
32	WPUJC Vaas (SL)	v India	Delhi	10 Dec 2005	26 Aug 1994	11y 106d	90

 *The stats for fastest to 300 wickets in Test cricket was updated on May 8, 2019