Ashes: Five highest wicket-takers from cricket’s oldest rivalry
The hugely awaited Ashes Test series between Australia and England will begin on 8th December 2021, and the opening rubber will be played at The Gabba in Brisbane. The Ashes is arguably the most scrutinized and important Test series in cricket, and the two teams will look to outdo each other when they take the field in Australia.
The previous Ashes series that was held in the year 2019 resulted in a 2-2 draw. In this article, let us take a look at the top 5 highest wicket-takers in The Ashes.
5. Ian Botham
The 5th spot in the list is occupied by legendary England all-rounder Ian Botham. Botham featured in 32 Ashes Test matches and scalped 128 wickets at an average of 28.04. He has also taken 7 five-wicket hauls and 1 ten-wicket haul in The Ashes.
Ian Botham played 102 Test matches for England and picked up a total of 383 wickets in his illustrious career. He also scored over 5000 runs with the bat as well in the whites.
4. Dennis Lillee
The 4th spot in the list is taken by Dennis Lillee. The Aussie legend featured in 24 Ashes Test matches and gobbled up 128 willow wielders. Lillee averaged a miserly 22.32, and also scalped his wickets at a strike rate of 54.60. Lillee took 355 wickets in 70 Test matches for the kangaroos in his Test career.
3. Hugh Trumble
Hugh Trumble bags the 3rd spot on the list. Trumble scalped a staggering 141 wickets in 31 Test matches in The Ashes. He also scalped 9 five-wicket hauls and 3 ten-wicket hauls and picked up his wickets at an average of 20.88. Trumble played his last Test match for Australia in the year 1904. He passed away in 1938.
2. Glenn McGrath
Iconic Australian pacer Glenn McGrath is placed at the 2nd spot in this elite list. McGrath played 30 Ashes Test matches and picked up 157 wickets at a sensational average of 20.92. The tall right-arm pace bowling icon also picked up 10 five-wicket hauls in The Ashes. McGrath is the second-highest wicket-taker for Australia in Test match cricket and has taken a whopping 563 wickets in 124 Test matches.
1. Shane Warne
Leg spin bowling magician Shane Warne is the most prolific wicket-taker in the history of The Ashes. Warne played 36 Ashes Test matches and picked up a whopping 195 wickets against England at an average of 23.25. The leg spinner also picked up 11 five-wicket hauls and 4 ten-wicket hauls in The Ashes.
Shane Warne is the highest wicket-taker for Australia in Test cricket and has taken a staggering 708 wickets in the whites. He played his last Test match in the year 2007.
