Top 5 bowlers who have taken the highest number of wickets in the history of The Ashes

The Ashes, a renowned Test series between England and Australia, remains one of the most fiercely contested competitions in cricket. It originated in the 1882/83 season and has endured to this day. Cricket enthusiasts worldwide eagerly anticipate the clashes between England and Australia for the prestigious urn.

In recent times, the rivalry between the two teams has been highly competitive. Since 2005, they have engaged in ten Ashes series, with England emerging victorious in five, Australia in four, and one series resulting in a draw. Presently, Australia holds the title and aims to defend the Ashes in the upcoming five-match series against England.

As anticipation builds in the cricketing community for the commencement of the series, let us examine the bowlers who have left a significant mark on the Ashes. Let us delve into the top five wicket-takers in the history of the Ashes.

1. Shane Warne | 195

Shane Warne, a highly esteemed cricketer, holds a magnificent record for the highest number of wickets taken in the Ashes, a record that befits his legendary status. Throughout his illustrious Test career, the former leg-spinner participated in 36 Ashes Tests and achieved an astonishing 195 wickets, averaging at 23.25. Notably, Warne accomplished eleven instances of claiming five or more wickets against England.

Warne's distinct personality made him an exceptional player, arguably unparalleled in the realm of cricket showmanship. He not only revitalised the art of leg-spin in cricket but also did so with flair and panache.

His debut in the Ashes in 1993 became instantly iconic with the famous 'Gatting Ball,' and from that point onward, he continued to plague England for several years until his retirement in 2007. His Ashes journey was adorned with numerous unforgettable moments, including taking eight wickets at the Gabba, a hat-trick at the MCG, and capturing his 700th Test wicket on the Boxing Day Test in 2006.

2. Glenn McGrath | 157

Glenn McGrath, a legendary cricketer, holds the second position on this list. During the 1990s and early 2000s, he played a crucial role in Australia's dominant performance against England. Out of the seven Ashes series he participated in, McGrath emerged victorious in six of them.

However, in the 2005 Ashes series, the only one he lost, McGrath was unable to play the two decisive matches due to injury, resulting in England winning both games. Despite not being the fastest bowler, his exceptional command over swing and length made him a formidable opponent for batsmen. McGrath is widely esteemed as one of the finest fast bowlers in the history of the game.

Throughout his Ashes career, he competed in 30 matches and claimed an impressive 157 wickets at an astonishing average of 20.92. Additionally, McGrath achieved ten five-wicket hauls against England. Overall, he retired from the sport with a remarkable record of 563 Test wickets and 381 ODI wickets.

3. Hugh Trumble | 141

Hugh Trumble holds the third position on this list. He is one of only two spinners on the list. It is fair to say that Trumble's international career revolved around the Ashes. Out of his 32 Test matches, 31 were played against England in the Ashes series. The remaining one was against South Africa, which came after a streak of 27 consecutive Tests against England.

Trumble made his debut against England in 1890 and bid farewell to the game 14 years later, also against England. Throughout this period, he took 141 wickets against England at an impressive average of 19.79. He was the first bowler to surpass the milestone of 140 wickets in the Ashes, and to this day, only three bowlers have achieved this feat.

Trumble achieved nine instances of taking five wickets in an innings in the Ashes. In first-class cricket, he accumulated a remarkable total of 979 wickets in 213 matches, including an impressive count of 69 five-wicket hauls.

4. Stuart Broad | 131

Stuart Broad, the England cricket star, holds the fourth position on this list. Not only is he the sole representative of England in this ranking, but he is also the only active bowler included. Broad's remarkable journey began in 2009 when he made his debut in the Ashes series and immediately left a lasting impression. With an impressive tally of 18 wickets across five Tests, he emerged as England's highest wicket-taker, contributing significantly to their 2-1 victory and the regaining of the Ashes.

Since then, Broad has become an integral part of England's Ashes squad, playing a crucial role in their recent dominance over Australia. In his career, he has played 35 Tests against Australia, claiming an impressive 131 wickets at an average of 29.05. Furthermore, he has achieved eight instances of taking five wickets in a single innings against Australia.

Broad has delivered some of his finest performances in Tests against the Australian team. One notable highlight was during the Trent Bridge Test in 2015, where he produced a truly devastating spell, capturing eight wickets for a mere 15 runs. This exceptional display of bowling prowess resulted in England dismissing Australia for a meagre total of 60 runs. As Australia and England prepare to face each other in the upcoming Ashes series, Broad will undoubtedly aim to replicate such influential performances.

5. Dennis Lillee | 128

Considered one of the swiftest bowlers to ever grace the sport, Dennis Lillee is an integral figure in the legendary Ashes rivalry. Alongside Jeff Thomson, his former bowling partner, Lillee formed one half of an exceptionally menacing fast bowling attack.

The former Australian pace sensation left an indelible mark on the renowned series, securing his place in the annals of Australian cricket history. Across 24 Test matches against England, Lillee amassed an impressive tally of 128 wickets at an average of 22.32, including seven instances of taking five wickets in an innings. Notably, his most remarkable Ashes performance occurred in 1972, where he claimed a remarkable 31 wickets in the five-match series.

Lillee bid farewell to Test cricket in 1984, leaving behind a legacy as one of the all-time greats. Throughout his illustrious career, he represented Australia in 70 Tests, accumulating 355 runs and amassing an impressive total of 103 wickets. His Test career also featured an impressive 23 instances of taking five wickets in an innings.