Most 5-Wicket Hauls in Tests, ODIs & T20s

The Sri Lankan legend found unprecedented success in Tests and ODIs, thanks to his unique bowling action and almost uniquely wrist flexibility.

Blending wrist-spin and off-spin, Muttiah Muralidaran boasted an arsenal of variations including the deadly doosra that turned the opposite direction.

His ability to leave batsmen guessing led to a bowling average of above six wickets a game in Test matches and a 5WI rate of almost 50 percent.

Muralidaran also achieved a unique record, claiming 10 or more wickets in a single match against each of the other nine Test-playing nations.

Shane Warne lets one rip at batsman Graham Thorpe//Getty Images

The iconic Australian spinner was perceived at times to be direct competition for Muralidaran, often trading records for the most wickets in Test cricket.

The late Shane Warne became the first bowler to reach 700 Test wickets, with Murali close behind and later retaking the lead in the so-called race.

The Aussie icon commented at one point that Muralidaran could reach 1,000 wickets, emphasising his deep respect for the Sri Lankan star.

Mitchell Starc of Australia//Getty Images

The Australian fast bowler has been missing for his country at the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan, raising concerns that he might be stepping away soon.

However, Mitchell Starc has already mentioned the need to recover from an ankle injury ahead of the 2025 World Test Championships final and international duties.

Either way, the lanky Aussie is already considered among the greats of his time, being fastest to reach 150 and 200 ODI wickets and his toughness under pressure.

Starc holds the all-time record for the most wickets in a single edition of the Men’s Cricket World Cup, reaping an impressive 27 scalps during the 2019 tournament.

Much of the Australian’s success is due to his long stride and upper body strength generating intense speed and his more classic foot placement at the crease.

Shubhangi Kulkarni showed her class as a leg-spinner from her first international match, claiming a five-wicket haul on debut.

Besides her impressive figures as a player and captain, the Indian star also found tremendous success as a cricket administrator.

Kulkarni served as secretary of the Women’s Cricket Association of India and is a member of the ICC Women’s Cricket Council.

Betty Wilson was the first woman to claim a five-wicket haul, recording figures of 6/28 on debut for Australia against New Zealand.

She would also score a century against England in her second Test match, becoming the first female player to achieve this feat.

Wilson also holds the distinction of being the first cricketer overall to score a century and claim 10 wickets in the longest format.

Sune Luus of South Africa//Getty Images

Sune Luus has become a mainstay of her national side, featuring in their second-place finish at the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

The former South African captain holds a number of records, including becoming the second player to reach a half-century and a 5WI in one WODI match.

Luus is also among the few players to reach 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in 50-over cricket and is tied with Anisa Mohammed for wickets in a calendar year (37).

Captain of the Hong Kong women’s cricket team, Kary Chan claimed her first five-wicket haul during the 2019 Women’s Twenty20 East Asia Cup.

She is tied with West Indies legend Anisa Mohammed on three 5WIs but could possibly claim the outright lead, as the Trinidadian is now retired.

Multiple players are tied on two five-wicket hauls apiece but Joanne Hicks of the Isle of Man has claimed this feat in the least amount of games (20).

By comparison, Ada Bhasin of Singapore took 36 games to achieve the same, while PNG veteran Kaia Arua reached two 5WIs in 47 matches.