Legendary Australian cricketer Charlie Turner was the fastest to 50 Test wickets after he reached the incredible milestone against arch-rivals England at Manchester in 1888.
The former medium pacer achieved the long-standing record in just six matches, breaking the record of his compatriot Frederick Spofforth, who reached a half-century of wickets in his eighth Test match against England in Sydney in 1877.
The second on the list of fastest to 50 Test wickets is ex-England fast bowler Tom Richardson, who attained the record in seven Test matches. Richardson achieved the feat against Australia at the iconic Lords in 1896.
Among the bowlers in the 21st century, former South Africa pacer Vernon Philander is the fastest to reach 50 wickets in Test cricket. In 2012, Philander reached the milestone against New Zealand at Wellington in his seventh Test match.
While Spofforth is fourth on the list, he is followed by former West Indies spinner Alf Valentine. The left-arm orthodox bowler took eight Test matches to reach 50 wickets, reaching the milestone against Australia in Melbourne in 1951.
Fastest to 50 Test wickets: Know the full list
| Player | Opposition | Year | Matches |
| Charlie Turner (AUS) | England | 1888 | 6 |
| Tom Richardson (ENG) | Australia | 1896 | 7 |
| Vernon Philander (SA) | New Zealand | 2012 | 7 |
| Frederick Spofforth (AUS) | England | 1883 | 8 |
| Alf Valentine (WI) | Australia | 1951 | 8 |
| Rodney Hogg (AUS) | Pakistan | 1979 | 8 |
| Terry Alderman (AUS) | Pakistan | 1981 | 8 |
| Bobby Peel (ENG) | Australia | 1888 | 9 |
| John James Ferris (AUS/ENG) | South Africa | 1892 | 9 |
| Sydney Barnes (ENG) | Australia | 1908 | 9 |
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Featured photo: Christiaan Kotze / AFP
