4 spinners to pick 500 wickets in Test match cricket

Spinners have always had the upper hand in the Test match cricket. The spinners have already been compared with the masters and have been considered the architects of turning the game for their team's benefit. Their talent is based on their ability to exploit the complexities of the longest format, when patience, finesse, and a deep awareness of pitch conditions come into play.

The achievement of claiming 500 wickets in Test cricket is a credit to a bowler's remarkable skill and everlasting commitment to the sport. In Test match cricket, spinners are often responsible for holding one end tight and helping the pacers as well. They work as the silent architects in the longest format of the game. Spinners in the subcontinent have displayed some brilliant shows and created trouble for the batters with the pitch offering more turn and bounce. 

In the article, we will be looking at the spinners, who have picked 500 test wickets in international cricket.

Here are the 4 spinners to take 500 wickets in Test cricket

4. Nathan Lyon 

Nathan Lyon is the recent spinner to achieve the milestone of picking 500 wickets in red-ball cricket. He has been the greatest finger spinner for the Aussies, and the first spinner after Shane Warne to pick achieve the feat in the longest format of the game. On Sunday, during Pakistan's second innings of the first Test at Perth Stadium, Lyon claimed his 500th wicket in Test cricket history by trapping Faheem Ashraf in front of the wickets. He would have been on the list if his 12-year international career had not have shortened by injuries. He picked a fifer in Australia's 360-run win against Pakistan. The spinner has 501 wickets in 123 matches. 

3. Anil Kumble 

Anil Kumble is one of the greatest spinners that India has ever produced. Kumble has achieved the astounding achievement of 500 wickets in just 105 matches, remains the second fastest to the milestone, and the only Indian to do so, with Ashwin (489 wickets) only a few matches away from joining him. He had 619 scalps in 132 Tests at the end of his career. The great leggie also has the record of picking 10 wickets in an innings for the Men in Blue side in test match cricket. 

2. Shane Warne 

Shane Warne is the greatest leg-spinner of all time. The greatest leg-spinner of all time was a nightmare to the batters and he tried to ball into the rough to get more turn off the pitch. The ball which he bowled to Mike Gatting was named as the ball of the century. He was the second bowler to achieve the feat and the first among spinners. Warne finished his career with 708 wickets in 145 matches, including 37 five-wicket hauls. 

1. Muttiah Muralitharan

Muttiah Muralitharan is one of the finest spinners of all time. The Sri Lankan great in his initial days struggled a lot with this action and after serving the ban for chucking the ball, Murali became the greatest ever spinner to ever play the sport. He was destructive with his doosra for the batters. He picked up 500 Test wickets, having achieved it in just 87 innings. He ended his career with 800 wickets which most ever in history in 133 appearances with 67 fifers and 22 ten-wicket hauls.