The Top 10 Wickets Taken in Cricket

In cricket, the pitcher -- called a bowler -- tries to throw the ball so that it gets past the batter -- called a batsman -- and hits the wicket, knocking one or both of the smaller sticks off. This is called "taking the wicket" and is equivalent to a "strikeout" in baseball. Championship matches are called "test matches," and success in a test match gives a player great prestige. There have been ten extraordinary bowlers in cricket test match history.

  1. Glenn McGrath - Australia

    • Because McGrath took more wickets than anyone else -- 550 -- he is considered the best bowler in cricket history. He played for 14 years.

    Courtney Walsh -- West Indies

    • Walsh played successfully for 17 years and took 519 test wickets. Walsh stood 6 feet 6 inches tall and bowled with a quiet, efficient motion.

    Wasim Akram - Pakistan

    • Akram bowled left-handed and was considered the fastest bowler of his time. He took 350 test wickets including twice winning three test matches in a row.

    Kapil Dev - India

    • Dev had a reputation for total commitment to the game. His batting was exceptional as well as his bowling. Dev is credited with taking over 430 wickets in test matches.

    Allan Donald - South Africa

    • Donald carried the nickname "White Lightning" for his bowling speed, and took 300 wickets in test matches.

    Sir Richard Hadlee -- New Zealand

    • Hadlee played for New Zealand for 18 years and took 431 test wickets. Besides his skill at bowling, he was known for his running, scoring over 3,000 test runs.

    Jeff Thompson - Australia

    • Jeff Thompson terrorized opposing batsmen over his short career. In a sport where an 85 mph bowl is considered fast, Thompson threw at batters at 99 mph. He took 200 wickets until injuries forced him out of the game.

    Dennis Lillee - Australia

    • Lillee's short temper and incredible bowling intimidated opposing batters. He took 350 wickets in test matches.

    Michael Holding

    • Holding played for a number of teams, bowled and batted right handed and became a cricket commentator after his career. He took 248 wickets and his nickname among his teammates was "Whispering Death."

    Malcolm Marshall -- West Indies

    • Marshall crowned his career with 376 wickets taken. Unfortunately, Marshall passed away from colon cancer at the age of 41. At 5 feet 10 inches, Marshall was short for a fast bowler, but he used accuracy and cunning to become of the best bowlers ever.