Nathan Lyon vs Shane Warne, Stuart Broad vs James Anderson, Ravichandran Ashwin vs Anil Kumble – who was fastest to 500 Test wickets?
The 500-wicket club is one of the most exclusive groups in Test cricket and the ultimate badge of honour for bowlers.
Skill, stamina and mental toughness are what separates these bowlers from the rest, thriving in all conditions, home and away.
These 9 bowlers are the only men to have joined the 500 Test wicket club, but some reached the milestone at a blistering pace.
From wizards of spin to magicians of the seam, these are the bowlers who have achieved true hero status in Test cricket.
Let’s take a closer look at the 9 men to have joined the coveted club – who did it the fastest?
9. Stuart Broad – 140 matches to 500 Test wickets
One half of England‘s legendary pace duo, Broad has a knack for producing match-winning spells and was a cornerstone of England’s bowling attack for over a decade.
He loved the big occasions, coming alive in an Ashes series or when playing at Lord’s – especially against left-handers, dismissing David Warner 17 times!
=7. James Anderson – 129 matches to 500 Test wickets
The second half of the duo and England’s swing king, Anderson, thrived in overcast home conditions but evolved into a world-class operator overseas, too.
His relentless accuracy and ability to move the ball both ways saw him reach 500 wickets with elegance and efficiency. His bowling ability is timeless, still going strong in English domestic cricket at the age of 42.
=7. Courtney Walsh – 129 matches to 500 Test wickets
Walsh was both a fierce workhorse and a pioneer, becoming the first bowler to reach 500 Test wickets.
He led the West Indies attack during their dominant period and came into his own on fast, bouncy wickets where his raw pace ripped through. Walsh was a crucial part of a golden era where his nation utilised vicious fast bowling to punch above their weight.
6. Nathan Lyon – 123 matches to 500 Test wickets
Australia’s timeless spinner of the modern era, Lyon uses his bounce and relentless precision to great effect and has long been the man you least wanted to face in the fourth innings.
He’s the definition of a match-winner and picks up wickets at will, especially in home conditions, with his talent seeming timeless.
5. Glenn McGrath – 110 matches to 500 Test wickets
McGrath was the definition of fast-bowling perfection with his line, length and mental fortitude constantly giving him the upper hand.
He methodically wore down even the most resolute bowlers in an era where Australia dominated the world of Test cricket.
4. Shane Warne – 108 matches to 500 Test wickets
Simply a genius of spin, Warne’s ability to rip the ball ridiculously and deceive with his flight made him a global cricketing rockstar.
He seemed to always have the answer and knew how to get batters out; his 500th scalp was in Galle, Sri Lanka – a fitting moment for the late great, who was unplayable in the sub-continent.
3. Anil Kumble – 105 matches to 500 Test wickets
Kumble was India’s choice bowler for over a decade and was renowned for his accuracy, taking wickets at will.
Career best bowling figures of 10/74 and taking 10 wickets in a match on eight separate occasions highlight his quality.
2. Ravichandran Ashwin – 98 matches to 500 Test wickets
A modern tactical genius who would smartly grind batters down, Ashwin mixed his traditional off-spin with lethal variations to turn games on their head.
He raced to 500 wickets at a remarkable rate and was a match-winner wherever he went, whether in India or abroad.
1. Muttiah Muralitharan – 87 matches to 500 Test wickets
The speed at which Muralitharan reached 500 Test wickets is truly mind-boggling, with his mystery and dominance baffling batters worldwide.
He had a remarkable engine to bowl coupled with vicious turn, her redefined off-spin and reached 500 wickets in record time that’ll unlikely be beaten.
