Most 5-Wicket Hauls in Tests
The bowlers who have claimed the most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket history -- the ultimate measure of match-winning bowling dominance.
Top 10 Bowlers by 5-Wicket Hauls in Tests
Career five-wicket innings tallies of the greatest Test bowlers
| Rank | Player | Country | Matches | 5WI | 10WM | Wickets | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka | 133 | 67 | 22 | 800 | 22.72 |
| 2 | Shane Warne | Australia | 145 | 37 | 10 | 708 | 25.41 |
| 3 | Anil Kumble | India | 132 | 35 | 8 | 619 | 29.65 |
| 4 | Richard Hadlee | New Zealand | 86 | 36 | 9 | 431 | 22.29 |
| 5 | James Anderson | England | 187+ | 32+ | 3 | 700+ | 26.50+ |
| 6 | Glenn McGrath | Australia | 124 | 29 | 3 | 563 | 21.64 |
| 7 | Courtney Walsh | West Indies | 132 | 22 | 3 | 519 | 24.44 |
| 8 | Dale Steyn | South Africa | 93 | 26 | 5 | 439 | 22.95 |
| 9 | Wasim Akram | Pakistan | 104 | 25 | 5 | 414 | 23.62 |
| 10 | Rangana Herath | Sri Lanka | 93 | 34 | 9 | 433 | 28.07 |
A five-wicket haul in a Test innings is one of bowling's greatest achievements, and Muralitharan's 67 such performances dwarf the rest of the list. His ability to produce match-winning spells consistently across 133 Tests is unmatched. Richard Hadlee's 36 five-wicket hauls in just 86 Tests highlight his incredible strike rate, while Rangana Herath's 34 in 93 Tests show the value of left-arm spin on turning pitches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the most 5-wicket hauls in Tests?+
Muttiah Muralitharan holds the record with 67 five-wicket hauls in Test cricket, nearly double the next bowler on the list. He also has the most 10-wicket match hauls with 22.
What is a 5-wicket haul?+
A 5-wicket haul (also known as a "five-for" or "5WI") is when a bowler takes five or more wickets in a single innings of a Test match. It is considered a benchmark of bowling excellence and is one of the most celebrated individual achievements in cricket.