Most wickets for County Championship, division one – Graham Onions tops the list, Keith Barker still going strong
Some of the domestic game’s greatest bowlers have dominated with the ball, but not necessarily all won England caps.
The County Championship, division one, has been a showground where some of the all-time red ball greats have executed their craft and been successful for many years.
But who in the competition’s rich history of bowlers has led the wicket-taking tables?
And which wicket-taking machine used to be a professional footballer for Blackburn Rovers?
Read on, because we may just have the answers.
9. Jack Brooks – 361 wickets in County Championship, division one
Brooks was a key cog in Yorkshire’s recent County Championship Division One winning campaigns with fiery aggression and energy through his pace bowling.
The bowler who now plays for Somerset was able to move the new ball and generate effective reverse swing with the old one at an average of 27.04.
His trademark white headband and passionate wicket celebrations brought charisma to the competition.
8. Steven Patterson – 368 wickets in County Championship, division one
Perhaps never getting the recognition he deserved; Patterson was a stalwart for Yorkshire whose consistency brought wickets by the bucket load to Headingley.
His strength was in his precision and control as he outsmarted batters with cunning setups rather than raw pace.
In the later stages of his career, he captained the iconic county during their transition phase in the long format.
7. Simon Harmer – 377 wickets in County Championship, division one
The South Africa off-spinner should, arguably, have earned more than 10 caps for the Proteas with his exemplary record with the ball for Essex.
His bowling extracted sharp turn and bounce which batters found incredibly tough to play with him taking an almost unbelievable record of 29 five wickets hauls in his eight seasons in Essex so far.
In 2019, he led the wicket-taking table in the County Championship with a tally of 83 for the season at an average of 18.28.
6. Rikki Clarke – 394 wickets in County Championship, division one
A versatile all-rounder and a County Championship legend, Clarke was a precise seam bowler who took wickets at will during his 14-year career with Surrey and Warwickshire.
His 6’4 frame helped him generate bounce in his bowling which troubled batters and forced mistakes that led to wickets for his side.
Clarke won Division One titles at both counties he represented contributing with both bat and ball.
5. Adil Rashid – 395 wickets in County Championship, division one
It’s usually off-spin that dominates the coveted English domestic league, however, Rashid managed to rip through opposition sides with his bamboozling leg spin and almost unpickable googly.
Despite, many knowing the Yorkshire player for his white-ball exploits, Rashid has been successful in the longer period and played 19 Test matches for England.
In 2016, he took 10 wickets in the match as his Yorkshire side beat Worcestershire.
4. Ryan Sidebottom – 413 wickets in County Championship, division one
When there was cloud cover above, you knew it was a bad day to face the left-arm swing bowling of Sidebottom.
An ability to deviate the ball at will made his bowling a nightmare for opposition batters both domestically and in Test cricket for England.
Representing Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire, he was one of few to win the competition for two different counties.
3. Jeetan Patel – 417 wickets in County Championship, division one
Patel was a smart off-spinner and fan-favourite for Warwickshire who bowled with consistent flight and accuracy that wore down opposition batters.
He would bowl long and economical spells and was made captain for the county at Edgbaston despite being an overseas player.
Patel won 24 caps for New Zealand and is now England’s spin coach.
2. Keith Barker – 428 wickets in County Championship, division one
The left-arm seamer from Hampshire has been one of the most underrated stars of the County Championship for many years.
He thrived in the typical English conditions at the Ageas Bowl and is a dangerous opening bowler who can swing the new ball.
Before cricket, Barker was a proven striker at Blackburn Rovers with one England u19 football cap to his name.
1. Graham Onions – 519 wickets in County Championship, division one
In his prime, Onions was one of the most devastating fast bowlers in England who picked up wickets at will for Durham and Lancashire in the County Championship.
However, injuries halted his startling form where in 2009 he was England’s leading wicket-taker in Test cricket.
These setbacks forced him into retirement in 2020, but he is still in a league of his own at the summit of the all-time list.
Also read: Top 10 highest scores on ODI debut – Matthew Breetzke beats Desmond Haynes’ world record