Where does Nathan Lyon rank among the 10 bowlers with the most Test 10-wicket hauls since 1990?
Ten-wicket hauls in Test cricket are rare. A five-for is generally regarded as the bowler’s equivalent of a century.
To take ten in a match is the same as getting a century in each innings – or, perhaps to frame it slightly differently, it’s akin to scoring 200 runs in a match.
However you look at it, that’s some pretty good going. But which bowlers have done it the most? Let’s narrow the frame of reference slightly to the modern era – post-1990 – and see which bowlers have bagged the most ten wicket Test hauls.
=6. Nathan Lyon (Australia) – 10 wickets in a Test 5 times
Australia’s modern-day spin workhorse, Nathan Lyon, has quietly built an extraordinary record in Test cricket. Though not as flashy as some of his contemporaries, Lyon’s consistency, patience, and tactical nous have earned him over 500 Test wickets.
His five 10-wicket match hauls highlight his ability to stay in the game across both innings, even on pitches that don’t offer much assistance.
Whether it’s the turning tracks of India or the seamer-friendly decks of England, Lyon has proven time and again why he’s regarded as one of Australia’s greatest off-spinners.
Despite his extraordinary success over the years Lyon remains an under-rated bowler, perhaps because he doesn’t get the pulse racing in eth same way that somebody like Shane Warne did.
=6. Harbhajan Singh (India) – 10 wickets in a Test 5 times
A passionate and aggressive off-spinner, Harbhajan Singh was India’s frontline spinner in the early 2000s, especially in home conditions. His most famous performance came in 2001 against Australia in Kolkata, where he picked up 13 wickets, including a hat-trick.
Harbhajan’s 5 ten-wicket hauls came mostly on the subcontinent, but they were always high-impact, often turning the tide of the match. He combined spin with bounce and sharp turn, making him lethal, particularly when India needed breakthroughs on day four or five.
=6. Wasim Akram (Pakistan) – 10 wickets in a Test 5 times
Wasim Akram might be best known for his one-day exploits and reverse swing mastery, but his Test career was equally remarkable. The Pakistan left-armer had exceptional control, variety, and a lethal bouncer to complement his movement off the seam and through the air.
His five ten-wicket hauls came against top opposition and were a testament to his stamina, as well as his ability to dismantle sides with both the old and new ball. In an age of fearsome pacers, Wasim’s mastery made him a standout. When Wasim got his tail up, he was unstoppable.
=6. Dale Steyn (South Africa) – 10 wickets in a Test 5 times
South Africa’s pace spearhead for over a decade, Dale Steyn was a bowler of raw pace, incredible control, and genuine menace. At his peak, Steyn could win a match on any surface, with his reverse swing and yorkers complementing a potent outswinger.
His five 10-wicket hauls, often accompanied by fiery spells that left batsmen bruised and bewildered, underline his status as arguably the best fast bowler of the 21st century. Injuries curtailed his later years, but Steyn’s peak was as devastating as any bowler on this list.
=6. Waqar Younis (Pakistan) – 10 wickets in a Test 5 times
If Wasim Akram was the artist, Waqar Younis was the executioner. With a deadly inswinging yorker and searing pace, Waqar terrorised batting lineups in the 1990s.
His ability to reverse swing the old ball was virtually unparalleled, and many of his 10-wicket hauls came in matches where he simply blew away the tail – he was an expert at finishing off innings.
He was quite adept at taking top order wickets too, often opening the attack alongside Wasim Akram, the duo formed one of the most fearsome fast-bowling combinations in cricket history.
=4. Anil Kumble (India) – 10 wickets in a Test 8 times
India’s most prolific Test bowler, Anil Kumble, was unique in his approach to spin bowling. More reliant on bounce, pace, and subtle variation than on big turn, Kumble’s relentlessness earned him over 600 Test wickets.
His ten-wicket match hauls were often the result of sustained pressure and a refusal to be worn down. He could bowl marathon spells and was a match-winner in home conditions – although given the sheer volume of wickets to his credit it probably goes without saying that he also tasted plenty of success abroad.
His crowning moment came in 1999, when he took all ten wickets in an innings against Pakistan in Delhi.
=4. Ravichandran Ashwin (India) – 10 wickets in a Test 8 times
In terms of pure skill, few modern spinners match the versatility of Ravichandran Ashwin. A master of variation, angles, and tactical adaptability, Ashwin has been India’s premier spinner for the past decade.
All of his ten-wicket hauls have come in the post-2010 era, often as key contributions in India’s home dominance. However, Ashwin has improved abroad too, notably in Australia and the West Indies.
His ability to out-think batsmen, backed by superb control, made him a constant threat – especially as pitches wore as games reached their final days.
3. Rangana Herath (Sri Lanka) – 10 wickets in a Test 9 times
Overshadowed early in his career by Muttiah Muralitharan, Rangana Herath came into his own in the latter half of his playing days. A left-arm spinner with deceptive flight and subtle turn, Herath thrived in the post-Murali era, especially in Sri Lankan conditions.
He often ran through batting lineups single-handedly and picked up five or more wickets in both innings multiple times.
His 9 ten-wicket hauls are the most for any left-arm bowler in Test history, and he retired as Sri Lanka’s second-highest wicket-taker, a truly remarkable feat for a late bloomer.
2. Shane Warne (Australia) – 10 wickets in a Test 10 times
Almost without a doubt the greatest leg-spinner the game has ever seen, Shane Warne mesmerised fans and tormented batters with his prodigious turn, deceptive flight, and unmatched charisma.
His 708 Test wickets included ten 10-wicket hauls, many in high-pressure series such as the Ashes.
Warne had the knack of changing the course of a match with one magical spell, and he didn’t just dominate in friendly conditions, he took wickets everywhere, from Manchester to Mumbai. His contribution to the art of spin bowling remains unparalleled in terms of global impact.
1. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) – 10 wickets in a Test 22 times
At the top of this list, and by a staggering margin, is Muttiah Muralitharan, the man with more Test wickets (800) and more ten-wicket match hauls (22) than anyone else. His dominance was simply surreal.
With a unique wrist-flicking action and an arsenal of deliveries, Murali spun a web around batsmen for nearly two decades. His 10-wicket hauls often meant series wins for Sri Lanka, and many of them came on spinning tracks in Galle or Kandy, though he performed admirably abroad too.
Murali’s sheer consistency and match-winning ability make his record almost untouchable.
