Australia’s 7 highest Test wicket-takers in Sri Lanka – Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc to overtake Shane Warne

Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon play Test cricket for Australia
Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon are among Australia's most prolific Test wicket-takers in Sri Lanka.

It is probably fair to say that tours to Sri Lanka haven’t been that frequent for Australia. The Asian island certainly hasn’t had Test playing status for as long as many other countries and it is probably not a priority touring destination like India or England have been in recent times.

But it still comes as a surprise to discover that from tours in 1983, 1992, 1999, 2004, 2011, 2016 and 2022, there are only seven players who have managed to take more than 10 wickets.

Slightly less surprising is the name that dominates at the top of the list – now, as Australia prepare to visit Sri Lanka for a two Test series, here’s a rundown of the seven most successful Australian bowlers in Sri Lanka.

7. Jason Gillespie – 1o Test wickets in Sri Lanka; average: 35.90

Jason Gillespie, known for his unerring accuracy and ability to swing the ball, played a crucial role with the ball on Australia’s tours to Sri Lanka in 1999 and 2004.

He wasn’t wildly successful in 1999, but he played a crucial role in 2004, particularly in the second Test where his return of four for 76 helped steer Australia to a 27-run win. While Shane Warne took ten wickets in the game, Gillespie bagged key batsmen Marvan Atapattu, Sanath Jayasuriya and Mahela Jayawardene.

6. Ryan Harris – 11 Test wickets in Sri Lanka; average: 14.54

A forgotten hero of Australian cricket, Harris played just two matches in Sri Lanka in 2011, but with remarkable success. He missed the final Test of the tour with an injury but was nevertheless their leading wicket taker on the tour.

His fourth innings haul of five for 62 at Galle were key in securing the win, although his first innings figures (though wicketless) also deserve a mention as he kept it tight to finish with 8-5-6-0. He went onto take three wickets in each innings of the second Test to return home with a total of 11 scalps.

5. Michael Kasprowicz – 12 Test wickets in Sri Lanka; average: 25.16

Michael Kasprowicz was known for his persistence and ability to reverse swing the ball, skills that served him well in the subcontinent. His 12 wickets in Sri Lanka were a testament to his hard work and dedication, as he adapted his bowling style to suit the slow and turning tracks.

Kasprowicz’s contributions often provided crucial support to Australia’s spin attack. Kasprowicz only had one tour of Sri Lanka, in 2004 where his best return was four for 83 at Kandy.

Read next: Most Test runs for Australia in Sri Lanka – a list with some surprises

4. Craig McDermott – 14 Test wickets in Sri Lanka; average: 24.42

Craig McDermott’s aggressive bowling and ability to generate pace made him a standout performer during his tour to Sri Lanka in 1992. With 14 wickets to his name, McDermott’s ability to intimidate batsmen and deliver key wickets was evident.

In a bowling attack that won’t be remembered as one of Australia’s strongest, he led an attack that also included Mike Whitney, Tony Dodemaide and allrounder Greg Matthews.

Australia ended up claiming the three match series 1-0 with McDermott ending as their leading wicket-taker (second overall in the series behind Sri Lanka’s Champaka Ramanayake).

3. Mitchell Starc – 29 Test wickets in Sri Lanka; average: 17.48

Left arm quicks have traditionally done well in Sri Lanka and Mitchell Starc is no exception. With the ability to swing the ball both ways he is potent weapon in all conditions. Starc has toured Sri Lanka twice, in 2016 and again in 2022.

His standout game came in the second Test in Galle, which saw him take 11 wickets in the game for 94 runs.

It was an outstanding performance on a tricky track, but sadly it was in a losing performance as Sri Lanka romped to a 229-run win. Starc’s 29 wickets at an exceptional average of 17.48 demonstrate his dominance and ability to exploit the conditions effectively.

His lethal yorkers and sharp bouncers have consistently troubled the Sri Lankan batsmen, making him one of the most successful bowlers in Australia’s history on the island. He has been included in the squad for the upcoming tour and will be hoping to add further to his list of wickets.

2. Nathan Lyon – 35 Test wickets in Sri Lanka; average: 32.02

Another current player who is set to tour Sri Lanka again in 2025, Lyon is a veteran of tours in 2011, 2016 and 2022. As Australia’s premier off-spinner, Nathan Lyon has been a crucial figure in their recent success in Sri Lanka.

With 35 wickets to his name, Lyon’s ability to extract turn and bounce on the subcontinental pitches has been instrumental. While he will never capture the imagination like Warne did, Lyon is the model of consistency and reliability.

With an incredible 539 Test wickets to his credit Lyon has two five wicket hauls in Sri Lanka to his credit – both in Galle.

1. Shane Warne – 37 Test wickets in Sri Lanka; average: 21.45

Topping the list is the legendary Warne, whose 37 wickets in Sri Lanka underscore his mastery of spin bowling. There is not much that hasn’t already been said about the late Warne – his ability to deceive batsmen with his flight, turn, and variations made him a nightmare for the Sri Lankan lineup. His presence and his mind-games were legendary.

He was the complete package and the only surprise about this list is that he will likely be passed by Lyon before the upcoming series is over. Warne toured Sri Lanka in 1992, 1999 and 2004 and bagged five wicket hauls in five innings.

He twice took ten in a match. Such was his form and ability in the conditions that he even opened the bowling in the second innings of the first Test in Galle in 2004, where he returned figures of five for 43 – his best ever in the country.

Read next: Test cricket’s most prolific bowler-fielder combinations