Top 50 Most 5 Wicket-haul in Test

Test cricket is regarded as the ultimate challenge for any cricketer, with legendary players making their mark in the record books throughout the 150-plus years of this most extended format. While batters often receive more accolades, bowlers have firmly held their ground in the annals of cricket history. Among the greatest achievements for a bowler is taking five wickets in a single innings or ten wickets across a match.

Dismissing half of the opposing team’s batters single-handedly is a remarkable accomplishment. With that in mind, here’s a look at the top 50 bowlers with the most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket, led by Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan.

This list highlights the bowlers with the most five-wicket hauls and shows a diversity of styles—spin, pace, and swing—each bowler using their unique skill set to dominate the game. The diversity also reflects the different eras and pitches, with players like SF Barnes from the early 1900s to contemporary players like Nathan Lyon and Stuart Broad.

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FAQs on Most Five Wicket Haul in Test Cricket

Q: What is a five-wicket haul in cricket?
A five-wicket haul is when a bowler takes five or more wickets in a single innings.

Q: Who has the most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket history?
Muttiah Muralitharan holds the record with 67 five-wicket hauls.

Q: How many bowlers have taken over 30 five-wicket hauls in Test cricket?
Six bowlers have taken more than 30 five-wicket hauls in Test cricket.

Q: Which bowler achieved the most five-wicket hauls in the fewest matches?
SF Barnes took 24 five-wicket hauls in just 27 matches.

Q: Who is the highest-ranked active bowler for five-wicket hauls in Test cricket?
Currently, Ravichandran Ashwin is the leading active bowler with 37 five-wicket hauls.

Q: What is the record for the best bowling figures in an innings with a five-wicket haul?
The best figures are 10/74 by Anil Kumble, which was achieved against Pakistan in 1999.

Q: Which bowler has the highest bowling average among the top five for five-wicket hauls?
Anil Kumble, with a bowling average of 29.65, has the highest among the top five.

Q: How often did Muttiah Muralitharan take a five-wicket haul per match on average?
Muralitharan took a five-wicket haul approximately every 1.99 matches.

Q: Which bowler has the lowest economy rate among those with 20 or more five-wicket hauls?
Lance Gibbs has the lowest economy rate, at 1.98 runs per over.

Q: Has any bowler from England made it to the top 10 for most five-wicket hauls?
Yes, James Anderson from England ranks 7th with 32 five-wicket hauls.

Q: Who is the highest-ranked West Indies bowler for five-wicket hauls in Tests?
Malcolm Marshall, with 22 five-wicket hauls, ranks highest for West Indies bowlers.

Q: Are there any bowlers in the top 50 list with fewer than 50 Test matches?
Yes, SF Barnes, Hugh Tayfield, and Clarence Grimmett each played fewer than 50 Tests.

Q: Which bowler has the most five-wicket hauls among left-arm bowlers?
Rangana Herath leads left-arm bowlers with 34 five-wicket hauls.

Q: Has any bowler taken a five-wicket haul in every Test-playing nation?
Muttiah Muralitharan achieved five-wicket hauls in every Test-playing country of his time.

Q: How many spinners are in the top 10 for most five-wicket hauls?
Five spinners are in the top 10 for most five-wicket hauls.

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