Test cricket is the purest form of the game as it tests every aspect of a player. Each player in the world aspires to play tests due to its toughness and supremacy. Most of the players play the format for a few matches but some talented guys sustain for a long time. Only eight bowlers have achieved the 500 test wicket mark in history and four of them are spinners. Moreover, taking a crazy number of wickets takes potential, fitness, and a lot of practice. Let’s talk about the spinners with 500 test wickets.
Shane Warner
Late spin king, Shane Warne was the first spinner and 2nd overall bowler to take 500 test wickets. He needed 108 matches to reach the mark and it happened during the Australia tour of Sri Lanka in 2004. The legendary figure had an illustrious career with 708 wickets in 145 matches.
Muttiah Muralitharan
The highest wicket-taker across formats, Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan achieved the feat of getting 500 test wickets in the same test series as Warne. However, the off-spinner took 21 matches fewer than Shane Warne to get there. His unparalleled variations and wit helped him to finish his career with 800 wickets in 133 games laced with 67 fifers.
Anil Kumble
The only spinner in the globe who tasted success in tests despite not turning the ball much, Anil Kumble joined the elite list of spinners with 500 test wickets in 2006 against England in his 105th test. Having played 132 tests over 16 years, the lanky leg spinner bagged 619 wickets.
Nathan Lyon
Nathan Lyon became the 4th spinner to scalp 500 test wickets during the 1st test of the Pakistan tour of Australia 2023 in Perth. Lyon was waiting on 496 before the test and Faheem Ashraf became his 500th victim. The ace off-spinner needed 123 matches to accomplish this milestone.