Test cricket is one of the most exciting formats of the game because it can change in a span of a few overs or a session. A team that looks dominant can go down under with a good bowling spell. Because it is very hard for a batter to survive for a long time when the opposition bowling attack is good.
Test cricket gives the perfect opportunity for a bowler to showcase his skills at the highest level. It is because a bowler has enough time to attack the batter and there is no problem of higher economy. That is why we sometimes see a bowler go on to bowl some amazing spells. For every bowler who makes his test debut, the first thing is to take maximum wickets. And that’s what we discuss in this article. Here we will see the fastest bowler to take 100 wickets in red-ball cricket.
5. Yasir Shah (Pakistan) – 17 Tests
There are four bowlers in history who have taken 17 matches each to take 100 wickets in Tests. The veteran leg-spinner from Pakistan, Yasir Shah, is in fifth place, having made his Test debut in October 2014 against Australia. He took 17 tests to reach the 100-wicket mark in red-ball cricket. Overall, he has taken 244 wickets in 48 matches, including 16 five-wicket hauls.
4. Clarence Grinnett (Australia) – 17 Tests
Former Australian leg-spinner, Clarence Grinnett, is at No. 4 on the list. Grinnett made his test debut for Australia in March 1925 against England. He took 17 games to reach the 100-wicket milestone in red-ball cricket to become the joint-second fastest. He played 37 matches for Australia and took 216 wickets, including 22 five-wicket hauls.
3. Sydney Barnes (England) – 17 Tests
Sydney Barnes, the former English pacer, is next on the list, having played for 13 years for England. Barnes made his red-ball debut in December 1901 against England. He completed 100 wickets in his 17th match. Overall, he played 27 games and picked up 189 wickets at an average of 16.43. He also picked up 24 five-wicket hauls, including the best match figure of 17/159.
2. Charlie Turner (Australia) – 17 Tests
The first ever bowler to take 100 Test wickets in 17 matches was former Australian pacer Charlie Turner. He played for eight years for his country in red-ball cricket. Turmer made his debut in the longest format in January 1887 against England. He ended up playing in 17 test matches in his career and ended up with 101 wickets at an average of 16.53. Turner also took 11 five-wicket hauls in 17 games.
1. George Lohmann (England) – 16 Test
The fastest bowler to take 100 wickets in the longest format was former English pacer George Lohmann. He played for 10 years for his country, between 1886 and 1896. Lohmann made his debut in July 1886 against Australia. He played a total of 18 matches in his career and took 112 wickets at a strike rate of 34.1, which is the best in the history of any bowler. Lohmann also picked up nine five-wicket hauls and five 10-wicket hauls in his career.
Fastest 100 wickets in Test Cricket List
| Bowler | Against | Venue | Match Date | Debut | Time | Mts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Lohmann (Eng) | South Africa | Johannesburg | 2 Mar 1896 | 5 Jul 1886 | 9y 241d | 16 |
| Charlie Turner (Aus) | England | Sydney | 1 Feb 1895 | 28 Jan 1887 | 8y 4d | 17 |
| Sydney Barnes (Eng) | Australia | Sydney | 23 Feb 1912 | 13 Dec 1901 | 10y 72d | 17 |
| Clarence Grinnett (Aus) | West Indies | Brisbane | 16 Jan 1931 | 27 Feb 1925 | 5y 323d | 17 |
| Yasir Shah (Pak) | West Indies | Dubai (DSC) | 13 Oct 2016 | 22 Oct 2014 | 1y 357d | 17 |
| Ravi Ashwin (Ind) | West Indies | Wankhede | 14 Nov 2013 | 6 Nov 2011 | 2y 8d | 18 |
| Colin Blythe (Eng) | South Africa | Cape Town | 11 Mar 1910 | 13 Dec 1901 | 8y 88d | 19 |
| Alf Valentine (WI) | England | Georgetown | 24 Feb 1954 | 8 Jun 1950 | 3y 261d | 19 |
| Andy Roberts (WI) | England | Leeds | 22 Jul 1976 | 6 Mar 1974 | 2y 138d | 19 |
| Ian Botham (ENG) | India | Lord’s | 2 Aug 1979 | 28 Jul 1977 | 2y 5d | 19 |