Taking 10 or more wickets in a Test match is considered a magnificent achievement for any bowler. While taking five wickets in a single innings is regarded as an outstanding performance, claiming a total of 10 wickets across both innings demonstrates a bowler's consistency and their impact on the match. Many great bowlers in the history of Test cricket have accomplished this feat, but Sri Lanka's legendary spinner Muttiah Muralitharan leads the list; he took 10 or more wickets in a match 22 times during his Test career.
Bowlers with the most 10-wicket hauls in Test matches
| Rank | Bowler | Country | 10-wicket matches | Test matches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka | 22 | 133 |
| 2 | Shane Warne | Australia | 10 | 145 |
| 3 | Richard Hadlee | New Zealand | 9 | 86 |
| 4 | Rangana Herath | Sri Lanka | 9 | 93 |
| 5 | Anil Kumble | India | 8 | 132 |
| 6 | Ravichandran Ashwin | India | 8 | 106 |
| 7 | Sydney Barnes | England | 7 | 27 |
| 8 | Clarrie Grimmett | Australia | 7 | 37 |
| 9 | Dennis Lillee | Australia | 7 | 70 |
| 10 | Imran Khan | Pakistan | 6 | 88 |
Also Read: Indian Bowlers with Fastest & Most 10-Wicket Hauls in Test History
1. Muttiah Muralitharan – 22 times
Sri Lanka's legendary off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan holds this record. He claimed 800 wickets in 133 Test matches and took 10 or more wickets in a match on 22 occasions. Muralitharan's strength lay in his ability to take wickets consistently over long spells. His bowling played a pivotal role in many of Sri Lanka's Test victories. His tally of 22 ten-wicket hauls is more than double that of Shane Warne, who sits in second place on this list. Muralitharan also holds the record for the most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket (67), a testament to his consistency.
2. Shane Warne – 10 times
Australian leg-spin legend Shane Warne took 10 or more wickets in a match on 10 occasions during his Test career. He claimed 708 wickets in 145 Test matches. Warne's mastery over flight, turn, and control of the ball in the air made him one of the most dangerous spin bowlers in the world. He ranks second on this list, behind Muralitharan.
3. Richard Hadlee – 9 times
New Zealand's legendary fast bowler Sir Richard Hadlee achieved the feat of taking 10 wickets in a match nine times across 86 Test matches. Hadlee was one of the most effective fast bowlers of his era; his precision regarding line, length, and swing made him immensely successful in Test cricket. He finished his career with 431 wickets, with a match haul of 15 wickets standing as his best performance.
4. Rangana Herath – 9 times
Sri Lankan left-arm spinner Rangana Herath also took 10 or more wickets in a Test match on nine occasions. Herath claimed 433 wickets in 93 Test matches. He is one of Sri Lanka's most successful Test spinners, ranking second only to Muralitharan.
5. Anil Kumble – 8 times
India's legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble took 10 or more wickets in a Test match on eight occasions. He claimed 619 wickets across 132 Test matches. Kumble's most memorable performance came during the Delhi Test against Pakistan in 1999, where he made history by taking all 10 wickets in Pakistan's second innings. He is one of the select few bowlers to have taken all 10 wickets in a single innings of a Test match.
6. Ravichandran Ashwin – 8 times
Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has also taken 10 or more wickets in a Test match eight times. Ashwin concluded his career with 537 wickets in 106 Test matches. He is one of India's most successful Test spinners and was a vital part of the team's bowling attack for a long period.
7. Sydney Barnes – 7 times
England's legendary fast bowler Sydney Barnes took 10 or more wickets in a match seven times in just 27 Test matches. His record is particularly remarkable because he achieved this feat despite playing relatively few Test matches. Barnes claimed 189 wickets during his Test career.
8. Clarrie Grimmett – 7 times
Australian leg-spinner Clarrie Grimmett achieved the feat of taking 10 wickets in a match seven times across 37 Test matches. He was one of the most effective spinners of his era and is counted among Australia's early great Test spinners.
9. Dennis Lillee – 7 times
Legendary Australian fast bowler Dennis Lillee took 10 or more wickets in a match seven times during his Test career. Lillee claimed 355 wickets in 70 Test matches and was renowned for his aggressive fast bowling. He is considered one of the greatest fast bowlers in the history of Australian cricket.
10. Imran Khan – 6 times
Pakistan's legendary all-rounder and fast bowler Imran Khan achieved the feat of taking 10 wickets in a match six times across 88 Test matches. He claimed 362 wickets during his Test career and spearheaded Pakistan's bowling attack for a long period.
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