Taking a wicket in Test cricket is often seen as the hardest thing for any bowler to do, with international batsmen as adept at scoring runs quickly, as they are at digging in and keeping opposition bowlers at bay.
Whilst the longest format is nowhere near as batter friendly as the shorter versions of cricket, every scalp in Test cricket is earned and for that reason carries more prestige.
Here is a countdown of the 5 fastest players to take 250 wickets in Test cricket:
Contents
- 5. Waqar Younis – PAKISTAN – 250 wickets in 51 matches – Total Test Wickets: 373
- 4. Allan Donald – SOUTH AFRICA – 250 wickets in 50 matches – Total Test Wickets: 330
- 3. Dale Steyn – SOUTH AFRICA – 250 wickets in 49 matches – Total Test Wickets: 439
- 2. Dennis Lillee – AUSTRALIA – 250 wickets in 48 matches – Total Test Wickets: 335
- 1. Ravi Ashwin – INDIA – 250 wickets in 45 matches – Total Test Wickets: 430*
5. Waqar Younis – PAKISTAN – 250 wickets in 51 matches – Total Test Wickets: 373
During the 1990’s Pakistan possessed one of the most dangerous bowling attacks in world cricket and Waqar Younis was integral to their success. His partnership with Wasim Akram blew away all before them in both Test Match and ODI cricket, with both men pioneering reverse swing with the red ball in Tests. It took Younis just 51 Test matches to take 250 wickets and he went on to claim 373 scalps in the longest format of the game.
4. Allan Donald – SOUT4. Allan Donald – SOUTH AFRICA – 250 wickets in 50 matches – Total Test Wickets: 330
://www.cric-life.com/article/history-of-cricket-in-south-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">South Africa were blessed with pace options in the 1990s and Allan Donald was the most prolific of all of them. His partnership with the equally as brisk Shaun Pollock was potent and they made a habit of tearing through opposition batting scorecards. Donald always wore his heart on his sleeve on the field of play and his tally of 330 Test wickets is one of the best in South African Test cricket history.
3. Dale Steyn – SOUTH AFRICA3. Dale Steyn – SOUTH AFRICA – 250 wickets in 49 matches – Total Test Wickets: 439
tion of South African quick bowlers was Dale Steyn, who dominated with a ball in hand throughout the 2000s for the Proteas. His incredible tally of 439 Test wickets makes him one of the most prolific fast bowlers of all time and his pace struck the fear of God into opposing batting lineups. Reaching his 250 Test wickets haul in 49 matches saw him pip compatriot Allan Donald by just one Test match.
2. Dennis Lillee – AUSTRALIA ̵2. Dennis Lillee – AUSTRALIA – 250 wickets in 48 matches – Total Test Wickets: 335
ve impasse in the 1970s until the arrival of Dennis Lillee, who burst onto the scene along with strike partner Geoff Thompson. Whilst both men possessed plenty of pace and fire, it was Lillee who dominated in the wickets column, reaching 250 wickets in just 48 Tests– a record that stood in Test cricket for over 35 years. Lillee went on to take 335 Test wickets for Australia, making him one of the most prolific bowlers the country has ever produced.
1. Ravi Ashwin – INDIA – 250 wickets1. Ravi Ashwin – INDIA – 250 wickets in 45 matches – Total Test Wickets: 430*
o 250 Test wickets countdown is Indian spinner Ravi Ashwin.
3. Dale Steyn – SOUTH AFRICA – 250 wickets in 49 matches – Total Test Wickets: 439
tion of South African quick bowlers was Dale Steyn, who dominated with a ball in hand throughout the 2000s for the Proteas. His incredible tally of 439 Test wickets makes him one of the most prolific fast bowlers of all time and his pace struck the fear of God into opposing batting lineups. Reaching his 250 Test wickets haul in 49 matches saw him pip compatriot Allan Donald by just one Test match.2. Dennis Lillee – AUSTRALIA ̵2. Dennis Lillee – AUSTRALIA – 250 wickets in 48 matches – Total Test Wickets: 335
ve impasse in the 1970s until the arrival of Dennis Lillee, who burst onto the scene along with strike partner Geoff Thompson. Whilst both men possessed plenty of pace and fire, it was Lillee who dominated in the wickets column, reaching 250 wickets in just 48 Tests– a record that stood in Test cricket for over 35 years. Lillee went on to take 335 Test wickets for Australia, making him one of the most prolific bowlers the country has ever produced.
1. Ravi Ashwin – INDIA – 250 wickets1. Ravi Ashwin – INDIA – 250 wickets in 45 matches – Total Test Wickets: 430*
o 250 Test wickets countdown is Indian spinner Ravi Ashwin.
1. Ravi Ashwin – INDIA – 250 wickets in 45 matches – Total Test Wickets: 430*
o 250 Test wickets countdown is Indian spinner Ravi Ashwin.
Taking just 45 Test matches to reach 250 wickets, Ashwin has continued to go from strength to strength for his country – taking 430 wickets and counting as of January 2022.
*Indicates player(s) still playing Test Cricket