Australia has been the most dominant team in the history of the game of cricket. They have been the team to beat for the opposition. In the 1990s and until the 2010s, Australia had many undefeated streaks. It was because they had a number of world-class match-winners on their team who could win games single-handedly on their own.
One of the big names that came from that team was Shane Warne. The legendary leg-spinner was the first player to take 700 Test wickets. Dennis Lillee, Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee, and many more represented Australia at the highest level. In this article, we will discuss such incredible bowlers who have taken the most test wickets for Australia in a single year.
Most Wickets in a Calendar Year for Australia in Test
| Bowler | Year | Mts | Wkts | BBI | BBM | 5 | 10 |
| Shane Warne | 2005 | 15 | 96 | 6/46 | 12/246 | 6 | 2 |
| Dennis Lillee | 1981 | 13 | 85 | 7/83 | 11/159 | 5 | 2 |
| Shane Warne | 1993 | 16 | 72 | 6/31 | 9/67 | 2 | 0 |
| Graham McKenzie | 1964 | 14 | 71 | 7/153 | 10/91 | 4 | 1 |
| Shane Warne | 1994 | 10 | 70 | 8/71 | 12/128 | 6 | 2 |
| Shane Warne | 2004 | 12 | 70 | 6/125 | 10/155 | 5 | 2 |
| Glenn McGrath | 2001 | 14 | 68 | 7/76 | 8/114 | 4 | 0 |
| Shane Warne | 1997 | 15 | 68 | 6/48 | 9/111 | 2 | 0 |
| Shane Warne | 2002 | 10 | 67 | 7/94 | 11/188 | 3 | 1 |
| Glenn McGrath | 1999 | 14 | 67 | 5/28 | 10/78 | 4 | 1 |
5. Shane Warne – 70 wickets in 1994
Shane Warne made his test debut in January 1992 against India and played until 2007. In that superb 15-year career, he achieved many milestones and also set new bowling records. It was not easy for a spinner to do well in Australian conditions, but he proved everyone wrong. Just two years after his debut, Warne took 70 wickets in just 10 tests, including six fifers and ten-wicket hauls twice.
4. Graham McKenzie – 71 wickets in 1964
The speedster from the previous era, Graham McKenzie, is fourth on this list. McKenzie made his test debut as a teenager in June 1961 against England at Lord’s in the Ashes series. A clean action and the ability to hit the pitch hard troubled many batters. McKenzie was at his best in 1964, when he took 71 wickets in 14 games with a BBI of 7/153. He took four fifers and one 10-wicket haul.
3. Shane Warne – 72 wickets in 1993
Making his debut in 1992, Shane Warne caught the attention of the world in just one year. He was the highest wicket-taker in 1993 among all test-playing nations. Warne made an impact right away, which made him a strike bowler for Australia. He took 72 wickets in 16 Tests in 1993, with a best inning and match figures of 6/31 and 9.67, respectively, which included two five-wicket hauls as well.
2. Dennis Lillee – 85 wickets in 1981
Dennis Lillee was arguably the best bowler for Australia in 1970–1980. He was the mainstay of the Australian bowling attack. Lillee played for Australia from 1971 to 1984 and ended his legendary career with 355 wickets in test cricket. His best year was 1981, when he broke all records and took the most wickets by a bowler in a year. He took 85 wickets in 13 games with five fifers and two 10-wicket hauls. Later, Murali and Warne broke his record.
1. Shane Warne – 96 wickets in 2005
Shane Warne was the best leg-spinner to play this game. He was a one-of-a-kind player who performed in those conditions, which are not even ideal for spinners. Warne made a name for himself and even bowled the “ball of the century” in 1993 in an Ashes test. Warne also holds the record for most test wickets in a calendar year. He took as many as 96 wickets in 2005, playing in 15 tests, which included six fifers and 10-wicket in a match twice.