Over the years, the iconic Ashes series has witnessed some remarkable performances by bowlers from both England and Australia. In this article, we will look into the bowlers with most wickets in Ashes history.
Just like the list of best batters in Ashes history, bowlers list also contains some legendary names. In ashes best bowlers list Australian bowlers just edging out Englishmen as they featured 6 times in list of top bowlers in Ashes series.
Most Wickets in Ashes History
Shane Warne (Australia)
Undoubtedly one of the greatest leg-spinners in the history of cricket, Shane Warne is the best bowler in Ashes history as he sits at the top spot in list of bowlers with staggering 195 wickets in 36 Test Matches of the Ashes.
His variations, pinpoint accuracy, and ability to turn the ball sharply troubled even the best English batsmen. Shane Warne took 11 fifers and 4 ten-wicket hauls in his Ashes career.
Glenn McGrath (Australia)
Known for his extra-ordinary accuracy with the ball, Glenn McGrath stands as the second-highest wicket-taker in The Ashes with 157 wickets. He is the highest wicket-taking paceman of the Ashes.
With his trademark line and length, McGrath proved to be a nightmare for English batters, consistently extracting movement off the pitch. Glenn McGrath has 10 Ashes fifers to his name.
Hugh Trumble (Australia)
Hugh Trumble, the Australian off-break bowler has 141 wickets in 31 Ashes Test Matches. He took 9 five-wicket hauls and 3 ten-wicket hauls in his Ashes career.
Stuart Broad (England)
Stuart Broad, a relentless force with the ball, is the highest wicket-taker for England in Ashes history with 131 wickets to his name. Stuart Broad has registered 8 fifers and 1 ten-wicket haul in his Ashes career.
He is also one of the two active bowlers featuring in the list of most wicket in Ashes history.
Dennis Lillee (Australia)
Dennis Lillee, a true fast bowling legend, etched his name in Ashes history with 128 wickets in 24 Ashes Tests. He is at 5th spot in bowlers who had highest wickets in Ashes. Renowned for his ferocious pace, Lillee averaged 22 with the ball in The Ashes. There are 7 fifers and 2 ten-wicket hauls to his name in The Ashes.
Ian Botham (England)
Ian Botham, one of England’s greatest all-rounders, made a significant impact with both bat and ball in The Ashes. With his ability to swing the ball, Botham also took 128 wickets (similar to Dennis Lillee) but in 32 Ashes Tests. He has 7 five-wicket hauls to his name along with a ten-wicket haul.
Bob Willis (England)
Bob Willis, an aggressive fast bowler with a distinctive action, made a significant impact in The Ashes. His raw pace and ability to extract bounce from the pitch often troubled Australian batsmen, that led to Willis picking up 123 wickets in 31 Ashes Tests. Willis has 7 Ashes fifers to his name.
Monty Noble (Australia)
With 115 wickets to his name in 39 Ashes Tests, Monty Noble was regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders ever produced by Australia. The former Australian captain has 9 fifers to his name along with 2 ten-wicket hauls.
Ray Lindwall (Australia)
Ray Lindwall, one of Australia’s finest fast bowlers, left an indelible mark on The Ashes with 114 wickets. Known for his accurate line and length, Lindwall possessed the ability to generate both pace and swing. He has 6 five-wicket hauls in his Ashes career.
James Anderson (England)
The highest wicket-taker among fast bowlers in Test cricket, James Anderson has left an indelible mark on The Ashes as well. His masterful control, swing, and seam movement have troubled Australian batsmen consistently. Anderson has 112 wickets in his Ashes career of 35 matches. He has 5 fifers and 1 ten-wicket haul to his name in Ashes.
List of bowlers with most wickets in Ashes History
| S.# | Player | Career | Mat | Inns | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | SR | 5WI | 10WM |
| 1 | SK Warne (AUS) | 1993-2007 | 36 | 72 | 195 | 8 for 71 | 12 for 246 | 23.25 | 55.16 | 11 | 4 |
| 2 | GD McGrath (AUS) | 1994-2007 | 30 | 60 | 157 | 8 for 38 | 9 for 82 | 20.92 | 46.36 | 10 | – |
| 3 | H Trumble (AUS) | 1890-1904 | 31 | 55 | 141 | 8 for 65 | 10 for 89 | 20.88 | 55.99 | 9 | 3 |
| 4 | SCJ Broad (ENG) | 2009-2022 | 35 | 64 | 131 | 8 for 16 | 11 for 121 | 29.05 | 55.14 | 8 | 1 |
| 5 | DK Lillee (AUS) | 1971-1982 | 24 | 47 | 128 | 7 for 89 | 11 for159 | 22.32 | 54.67 | 7 | 2 |
| 6 | IT Botham (ENG) | 1977-1989 | 32 | 58 | 128 | 6 for 95 | 10 for 253 | 28.04 | 56.65 | 7 | 1 |
| 7 | RGD Willis (ENG) | 1971-1983 | 31 | 61 | 123 | 8 for 43 | 9 for 118 | 24.37 | 52.56 | 7 | – |
| 8 | MA Noble (AUS) | 1898-1909 | 39 | 66 | 115 | 7 for 17 | 13 for 77 | 24.86 | 59.95 | 9 | 2 |
| 9 | RR Lindwall (AUS) | 1946-1959 | 29 | 51 | 114 | 7 for 63 | 9 for 70 | 22.44 | 59.01 | 6 | – |
| 10 | JM Anderson (ENG) | 2006-2022 | 35 | 64 | 112 | 6 for 47 | 10 for 158 | 33.76 | 68.52 | 5 | 1 |
With 195 wickets Shane Warne is the highest wicket taker in Ashes history.
