Even though the T20I format has taken over the sport since its inception, Test cricket still holds its place as an elite format. With this elite format, a lot of dedication and consistency come into the picture, which every bowler looks to achieve.
One crucial aspect of the Test format is grabbing wickets consistently and pushing the opposition on the back foot. Many notable bowlers have done this year after year, scalping plenty of wickets with the red ball.
And here are the top 10 instances of bowlers taking the most wickets in a calendar year in Tests.
Most Wickets in a Calendar Year in Test
| Player | Innings | Wickets | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shane Warne (AUS) | 30 | 96 | 2005 |
| Muthiah Muralidaran (SL) | 21 | 90 | 2006 |
| Dennis Lillee (AUS) | 25 | 85 | 1981 |
| Allan Donald (SA) | 26 | 80 | 1998 |
| Muthiah Muralidaran (SL) | 23 | 80 | 2001 |
| Joel Garner (WI) | 29 | 79 | 1984 |
| Kapil Dev (IND) | 25 | 75 | 1983 |
| Muthiah Muralidaran (SL) | 17 | 75 | 2000 |
| Kapil Dev (IND) | 29 | 74 | 1979 |
| Anil Kumble (IND) | 23 | 74 | 2004 |
Key Insights on Leading Wicket Takers in Test Cricket in a Calendar Year
All-Time Record for Wickets in a Calendar Year
Australia’s Shane Warne picked up the most wickets in a calendar year in Tests. The spin-bowling stalwart racked up 96 wickets in 30 innings in 2005.
Warne picked up 70 or more wickets in four different calendar years, the most by a bowler in Test cricket.
Most Wickets Taken Away and At Home in a Single Year
57 of Warne’s 96 wickets in 2005 came outside Australia, the joint most by a bowler in away Tests in a year.
Muttiah Muralitharan levelled Warne’s record in 2006, taking 57 scalps in 13 innings.
79 of Muralitharan’s 80 wickets in 2001 came in Sri Lanka, the most by a bowler at home in a calendar year in Tests.
Muralitharan’s overall 80 wickets were part of his 136 scalps across formats. His 136 wickets are the most by a bowler in a single year across formats.
Top Annual Performance by Fast Bowlers and Captains
Dennis Lillee’s 85 wickets in 1981 are the most by a fast bowler in a calendar year.
Kapil Dev picked up the most wickets as a captain in a calendar year in Tests, grabbing 58 of his 75 scalps as India’s skipper in 1983. (Check Dev’s captaincy record here.)
Record Bowling Averages and Strike Rates in a Year
Imran Khan has recorded the lowest bowling average in a calendar year in Tests, averaging 13.29 while taking 62 wickets in 1982 (minimum 50 wickets).
Waqar Younis, meanwhile, registered the lowest strike rate, bagging 55 wickets at 29.5 in 1993.
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