Top five Australian bowlers with the most Test wickets
Khel Now published on August 22, 2026 a list naming the five Australian bowlers who have taken the most wickets in Test cricket, with statistics updated to August 22, 2025. The list is headed by Shane Warne, who finished his career with 708 Test wickets.
Australia’s cricket history features both pace and spin, driven in part by fast, bouncy home pitches and a succession of bowlers who produced match-winning performances. The article highlights bowlers who carried a significant wicket-taking burden for the team across different eras, encompassing fast bowlers and specialist spinners.
Denis Lillee took 355 wickets in 70 Tests at an average of 23.92 and claimed 23 five-wicket hauls. Lillee’s best Test figures were 7/83 against West Indies in 1981 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), and he finished his career with a batting average of 15; he partnered with Jeff Thompson as a prominent pace duo in the 1970s and 1980s.
Mitchell Starc has taken 441 wickets in 107 Test matches at an average of 26.27, including 19 five-wicket hauls, with best innings figures of 7/58. Described as a left-arm speedster known for deadly in-swingers, Starc has been a regular in the Test side since his debut in 2011.
Glenn McGrath claimed 563 wickets in 124 Tests at an average of 21.64 and recorded 29 five-wicket hauls over a 14-year career. Nicknamed "Pigeon," McGrath’s best Test figures were 8/24 against Pakistan in 2004 at Perth.
Nathan Lyon is credited with 568 wickets in 143* Tests at an average of 30.32 and an economy rate of 2.94. Referred to as the "GOAT," Lyon is noted as the only specialist bowler to play 100 consecutive Test matches for Australia and for his disciplined length bowling that supported his bowling partners.
Shane Warne leads Australian Test wicket-takers with 708 wickets at an average of 25.41, including 37 five-wicket hauls. Warne’s total is the second-highest in Test history behind Muttiah Muralitharan (800); he took 69 of his 145 Tests on pace-friendly Australian pitches and died in March 2022.
All statistics are updated till August 22, 2025. For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.
