Sign In
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
When we talk about the top bowlers to have ever graced the red-ball cricket in particular, Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan's name can't be forgotten. A master tactician of his field, Muralitharan was inarguably the greatest-ever bowlers to have ever the played the game of cricket. The former off-spinner, who was best known for his unique bowling style, wrecked havoc on his opposition with his magical bowling skills.
Muralitharan, in his hey days, was considered to be one of the most fiercest bowlers between the 22 yards as he successfully managed in helping Sri Lanka win crucial clashes with his exceptional bowling. Better known as a man for the big stages, Muralitharan proved himself to be match-winner for his side in big ICC events, where he produced some notable performances with the ball.
Legendary spinner Muttiah Muralitharan is the only bowler in the history of cricket to snap 800 wickets in the Test format. The veteran Sri Lankan bowler has represented his country in 133 matches and leads the elite chart of the bowlers with most wickets in the longest format of the game. Interestingly, the Muralitharan is also the leading wicket-taker in the ODI format as well with 534 wickets to his name. In total, he has scalped 1334 wickets in Tests and ODIs.
Meanwhile, along with being the highest wicket-taker in the history of Test cricket, Muralitharan also holds the record of claiming the most number of five-wicket hauls in the format. The Sri Lanka has a record 67 fifers in Test cricket and the closest to this record in Australia's Shane Warne who has 37 fifers to his name, 30 less than Muralitharan's record. With an impressive economy rate of 2.47 and an average of 23, Muralitharan has the best figures of 9/51 in the format.
He is among the very few bowlers to have claimed 9 wickets in an innings. Former Indian spinner Anil Kumble is the only bowler in the history of the red-ball cricket to have snapped all the 10 wickets in a Test innings. He is the only bowler in the history of Test cricket to claim 50 or more wickets against every Test playing nation. Muralitharan has claimed 100 or more wickets against India, England and South Africa.
Some of his other records in the format include winning the most number of player of the series awards and having the highest strike rate in an innings. He has also bowled the most number of balls in the history of cricket.
