List of Players with More than 800 Wickets in International Cricket

They say cricket is a batter's game and to a reasonable extent it is fine to even believe that but that is only unless and until you run into a table comprising the players with more than 800 wickets in international cricket. If that is not a big number, then what is? Now, furthermore, if the batters have indeed been able to raise the game, make run scoring a habit and score loads of runs around the world, then that's just one part of the story or let's say, half the story or narrative.

The other half of the story is quite simply the fact that there have been world class bowlers, who by virtue of their inherent skill and redoubtable talent been able to change the context of a game giving all the hardwork for the batters to do. These are some real legends of the game and heroes whose efforts must actually be cited and recited more than what happens. Let us therefore, explore more on the names and talents of the players with more than 800 wickets in international cricket:

Let's look at a list of Players with More than 800 Wickets in International Cricket : 

1. Muttiah Muralitharan (1347 Wickets in 945 Matches)

What a hero of the game and yet one, who wasn't and still isn't always talked a great deal about or given the due he so deserves. The likes of Tendulkar, Lara, Dravid, Laxman, Waugh brothers and Ponting and even Kallis often found it hard to read Murali with only Brian Lara managing on occasions to counter the master. Murali was and will always be treated as the finest Sri Lankan bowling legend. He took 800 Test match wickets and is still the only man to have done so, which in itself, is an iconic and rare feat. A salute to the great man.

2. Shane Warne (1001 Wickets in 339 Matches)

The great legend Warne, who is no longer with us, is perhaps the greatest and most stylish name on the list of players with more than 800 wickets in international cricket. His ability to generate turn and contain the flow of runs from an end was second to none. He was always that sort of cricketer who would stand tall in great contests, taking big wickets and that too, in crucial moments of the game. For instance that envy-inspiring feat of taking 195 of his 708 Test wickets against England was exemplary in defining his legend as a great leg spin bowler. That he and Kumble and Murali were operational at the same time on many occasions was simply breathtaking for the fans.

3. James Anderson (1001 Wickets in 339 Matches)

 James Anderson is gladly and remarkably on the list of the players with more than 800 international wickets in cricket and the icon of swing bowling got, more often than not, the prized wickets of great batters of their day, in the form of Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Steve Smith among the other big players of their day and age.

Anderson's amazing ability to swing and make the ball do the talking usually kept England in the game and in the driver's seat and he will always be remembered for being extremely match fit and for being a champion of the game.

4. Anil Kumble (991 Wickets in 401 Matches)

The great leg-spinner from Bangalore, Karnatka was all about varying his speed and line and length to make the life of batters out there exceedingly difficult. As a matter of fact, Anil Kumble's name on the list of the players with more than 800 international wickets is hardly a surprise. He is the only bowler from the competitive sphere of leg spin who took all ten wickets in a single inning and made the life for batters out there difficult. One of the great bowling spells that Kumble, the fighter, was responsible for was that really fine and high quality spell of spin bowling at the 2002 Antigua Test match, where despite wearing a bandage around his entire jaw (which had been broken in that very game) he kept persevering and persisting for his country and even claimed the big wicket of Brian Lara.

5. Glenn McGrath (949 Wickets in 376 Matches)

From finding the near-perfect line around the off stump to generating bounce on wickets on which it was often hard to ultimately being responsible for famous dismissals in international cricket that would give slip fielders and keepers a real good chance in the game, Glenn McGrath played like a champion. And back in his great playing days, along with Warne and Fleming and as seen on other occasions, Gillespie was responsible for breaking the backs of major batting line-ups of their time. 

That's true whether you speak of the West Indies team featuring Brian Lara and Shivnarine Chanderpaul or the Indian team featuring the great trinity of Laxman, Sachin and Dravid.

McGrath made the off stump line his own and his nagging accuracy was the key exemplifier of his worldwide success.

Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQ):

Q1. Which bowler has most international wickets to his name? 

The great Sri Lankan legend Muralidaran has 1347 international wickets to his name and what a feat that is!

Q2. Which famous Australian bowler finds himself on this list?

The answer to that is undoubtedly the icon of the world of cricket, the heroic leg spin legend Shane Warne with 1001 international wickets to his name

Q3. Is there a leading Indian cricketer on this great list?

Anil Kumble, a bowling icon, with 619 test wickets to his name is on this list.