Bowling in test cricket is the hardest thing for any bowler as he has to bowl a lot of overs throughout the match and patiently wait for the wickets and sometimes the wickets fall quickly as well. And taking 5 wickets in an innings in test cricket is one of the biggest achievements for a bowler as he gets the reward for bowling in good areas for a long period of time.
There are many bowlers who have picked up 5 wickets in an innings in test cricket.
However there are only a few who have done this a lot of times in their careers.
So, it would be interesting to see who are the top 5 who have taken 5 wickets in an innings the most number of times.
1. Muttiah Muralitharan (67 times):
He is far and away the highest number of 5 wickets taken in an innings bowler. He had achieved this feat a record 67 times which is equivalent to a batter hitting 67 centuries in his career. Muttiah Muralitharan was a special bowler and the batters had no answer to his bowling and no wonder he has 800 test wickets in his kitty. He has done all this at an unbelievable average of just over 22. 67 times taking 5 wickets in an innings shows that how consistently he used to do it and how often the batters used to get out to him
2. Shane Warne (37 times):
After Muralidaran, it’s the turn of his biggest rival Shane Warne with him picking 5 wickets in an innings an incredible 37 times in his career. He used to make the batter guess where he would bowl and bowl him an absolute jaffer and the batter would be shocked. His skill was amazing to witness and he was one of the greatest of all time without question. He did well in every condition he played in.
3. Sir Richard Hadlee (36 times):
One of the greatest fast bowlers of all time and an all time great was Sir Richard Hadlee. He was the finest cricketer New Zealand produced. For a fast bowler to get 5 wickets in an innings 36 times is simply astonishing. The batters had no clue where he was bowling and the swing he got was special to see. He is an inspiration for every New Zealand cricketer and all the young fast bowlers of the world.
Also Read | Greatest Fast Bowlers Of All Time
4. Anil Kumble (35 times):
He is considered the biggest match winner India ever produced. He won matches on his own for India and his leg spin was a thing of beauty. The consistency in his bowling was top class and he also holds the record of picking 10 wickets in an innings with 2 others only. Anil Kumble was a champion and a warrior who never gave up and was willing to do anything for India. His contributions will never be forgotten and all leg spinners in the game take inspiration from him.
5. Rangana Herath (34 times):
He was the successor of Muthiah Muralidaran in a way and he did not disappoint as he picked 5 wickets in an innings 34 times in his illustrious career. His left arm spin always used to play with the batters and they used to get out to him and the amount of skin he got on all tracks showed his impressive level of skill and he is a legend of the game and Sri Lanka cricket will miss him greatly.
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