| Player | Against | 5-W Hauls | Matches | Innings | Total Wickets | Best Bowling (Innings) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sir Richard Hadlee (NZ) | Australia | 14 | 23 | 41 | 130 | 9/52 |
| Sydney Barnes (ENG) | Australia | 12 | 20 | 36 | 106 | 7/60 |
| Sydney Barnes (ENG) | South Africa | 12 | 7 | 14 | 83 | 9/103 |
| Terry Alderman (AUS) | England | 11 | 17 | 32 | 100 | 6/47 |
| Clarrie Grimmett (AUS) | England | 11 | 22 | 39 | 106 | 6/37 |
| Dennis Lillee (AUS) | England | 11 | 29 | 57 | 167 | 7/89 |
| Muttiah Muralitharan (SL) | Bangladesh | 11 | 11 | 22 | 89 | 6/18 |
| Muttiah Muralitharan (SL) | South Africa | 11 | 15 | 27 | 104 | 7/84 |
| Tom Richardson (ENG) | Australia | 11 | 14 | 24 | 88 | 8/94 |
| Charlie Turner (AUS) | England | 11 | 17 | 30 | 101 | 7/43 |
| Shane Warne (AUS) | England | 11 | 36 | 72 | 195 | 8/71 |
| Anil Kumble (IND) | Australia | 10 | 20 | 38 | 111 | 8/141 |
| Glenn McGrath (AUS) | England | 10 | 30 | 60 | 157 | 8/38 |
Key Insights – A Look at Test Cricket’s Unparalleled Dominance
Dominating the Opposition:
The ability of a bowler to consistently trouble a single opponent over a long period is a testament to skill and endurance. This organized content highlights the most remarkable records for five-wicket hauls and other bowling milestones against a specific Test team.
Most 5-Wicket Hauls Against a Single Opponent
Richard Hadlee of New Zealand holds the all-time record, having taken 14 five-wicket hauls against Australia in just 23 matches.
Muttiah Muralitharan is the only bowler to have taken five or more five-wicket hauls against all nine Test teams he faced in his career. He also tops the most 5-fers chart in Tests by a far distance.
Dominating Opponents at Home and Away
Most 5-Wicket Hauls in an Opponent’s Home: Richard Hadlee and Australia’s Terry Alderman are tied with 10 five-wicket hauls each at an opponent’s home. Hadlee achieved this feat in Australia, while Alderman did so in England.
Most 5-Wicket Hauls Against an Opponent at Home: Muttiah Muralitharan (against Bangladesh and South Africa in Sri Lanka) and India’s Ravichandran Ashwin (against England in India) are tied with eight five-wicket hauls each.
The SENA Specialists
SENA is an acronym for South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia, often considered the toughest places to tour.
Here is a video of Muralitharan picking a 10-wicket match haul against England at Edgbaston:
Most Five-Fors Against SENA Teams: Muttiah Muralitharan has a remarkable 29 five-wicket hauls against these four nations.
Five-Fors Against All SENA Teams at Home: Ravichandran Ashwin is the only bowler to have taken five or more five-wicket hauls against each of the SENA teams in home Tests.
Check: Asian Bowlers with Most Test 5-Wicket Hauls in SENA Countries
Records as Captain and Other Milestones
Most 10-Wicket Hauls Against an Opponent: England’s Sydney Barnes took an incredible six 10-wicket hauls against South Africa in just seven matches.
Most Five-Fors as Captain: Pakistan’s Imran Khan is the only skipper to take four five-wicket hauls against three different opponents (England, India, and the West Indies).
Most Wickets Against a Single Opponent: Australia’s Shane Warne holds the record for the most wickets against a single team, having taken 195 scalps against England.
