Test Cricket: Australia was the first team to play an official game of cricket, along with England. That game took place in 1877. This team is also the team that played first ODI and T20Is in the game. It shows the rich history of the most successful team in the history of the game. Australia has also dominated the game irrespective of the condition and team.
It is because due to the availability of some greatest bowlers and dominating batters. And now we’ll look at the bowlers who have taken the most wickets in test cricket in Australia’s history. Shane Warne is at the top of the tree and was the greatest leg-spinner in the game.
5. Mitchell Johnson – 313 wickets in 73 Tests
One of the most fierce pacers that the game has seen in the last two decades is fifth on the list. Mitchell Johnson was known for taking on batters. He made his debut in Sri Lanka in November 2007 and picked up four wickets in the game. Although his career was hit with various injuries, he played a total of 73 tests. Johnson took 313 wickets in total, with his best being 8 for 61 in an innings. He also took 12 5-wicket hauls in his career.
4. Dennis Lillee – 355 wickets in 70 Tests
The legendary pacer who inspired a generation, Dennis Lillee, is fourth on the list. He made his test debut for Australia in January 1971 against England at Adelaide Oval and picked 5/84 in his debut innings. Lillee represented Australia for 13 years and played 70 tests in his career. Overall, he took 355 wickets at an average of 23.92. He also took 23 five-wicket hauls with the best match figure of 11/123.
3. Nathan Lyon* – 446 wickets in 112 Tests
Third on the list is a veteran Australian pacer who has led Australia’s spin department for over a decade. Nathan Lyon’s spin attack serves as Australia’s backbone in red-ball cricket. He made his debut against Sri Lanka at Galle in August 2011 and took 5/34 in his debut innings. He has played a total of 112 tests so far and taken 446 wickets, with a best match figure of 13 for 154. Lyon has also taken 21 five-wicket hauls in his career.
2. Glenn McGrath – 563 wickets in 124 Tests
Glenn McGrath was the best all-format pacer from Australia that played the game. Without much speed, his accuracy with line and length was impeccable. McGrath made his test debut in November 1993 against New Zealand in Perth. He played 124 Tests for Australia and took 563 wickets (second most by a pacer in Test) at an average of 21.64. He also took 29 five-wicket hauls with the best match figure of 10/27.
1. Shane Warne – 708 wickets in 145 Tests
The game has been mostly dominated by spinners. And the leg-spin is the most difficult art of spin bowling. But there was one man who mastered leg-spin, and he was legendary Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne. He made his debut in January 1992 against India. In his career, Warne played 145 Tests for Australia and took a total of 708 wickets. He was also the first bowler in test history to take 700 wickets. Warne had a total of 37 five-wicket hauls in his career.
List of Most Wickets for Australia in Test cricket
| Bowler | Span | Mts | Wkts | BBI | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shane Warne | 1992-2007 | 145 | 708 | 8/71 | 37 | 10 |
| Glenn McGrath | 1993-2007 | 124 | 563 | 8/24 | 29 | 3 |
| Nathan Lyon* | 2011-2022 | 112* | 446 | 8/50 | 21 | 3 |
| Dennis Lillee | 1971-1984 | 70 | 355 | 7/83 | 23 | 7 |
| Mitchell Johnson | 2007-2015 | 73 | 313 | 8/61 | 12 | 3 |
| Brett Lee | 1999-2008 | 76 | 310 | 5/30 | 10 | 0 |
| Mitchell Starc* | 2011-2022 | 73 | 291 | 6/50 | 13 | 2 |
| Craig McDermott | 1984-1996 | 71 | 291 | 8/97 | 14 | 2 |
| Jason Gillespie | 1996-2006 | 71 | 259 | 7/37 | 8 | 0 |
| Richie Benaud | 1952-1964 | 63 | 248 | 7/72 | 16 | 1 |