This article lists the Test bowlers who have taken the most wickets in their first 50 career matches.
| PLAYER | COUNTRY | WICKETS AFTER 50 TESTS | AVERAGE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ravichandran Ashwin | IND | 279 | 25.39 |
| Dennis Lillee | AUS | 262 | 23.40 |
| Dale Steyn | SA | 260 | 22.91 |
| Allan Donald | SA | 251 | 22.12 |
| Muttiah Muralitharan | SL | 245 | 26.37 |
| Waqar Younis | PAK | 244 | 22.07 |
| Malcolm Marshall | WI | 239 | 21.42 |
| Richard Hadlee | NZ | 235 | 23.94 |
| Shane Warne | AUS | 235 | 23.72 |
| Glenn McGrath | AUS | 234 | 22.77 |
Stats Insights – Top Bowlers after 50 Tests
Ravichandran Ashwin leads the all-time list. The Indian off-spinner holds the record for the most wickets after 50 Tests, with 279 wickets at an average of 25.39. Just four matches after his 50th Test, Ravichandran Ashwin set another record by becoming the fastest bowler to reach 300 Test wickets in his 54th Test match.
While a spinner tops the list, the upper echelons are heavily populated by fast bowlers who hit the ground running. Australia’s Dennis Lillee (262 wickets), South Africa’s Dale Steyn (260 wickets), and Allan Donald (251 wickets) are all in the top five, showcasing their early dominance.
England’s Trevor Bailey recorded the best bowling figures in a bowler’s 50th Test match. Find out who else made the list in The Best Bowling Figures in a Bowler’s 50th Test Match.
Malcolm Marshall has the best bowling average on this list after 50 long-format games, at 21.42. Meanwhile, Allan Donald holds the best bowling average for any bowler who has taken more than 250 wickets in their first 50 Tests.
Looking to join these greats is Jasprit Bumrah, who has already taken 200+ wickets at an impressive average of around 19, despite not yet having played his 50th Test.
