Shane Warne commands list for bowlers with most wickets against one opponent in Test cricket

Legendary Australian cricketer Shane Warne holds the record for most wickets against one opponent in Test cricket.

The spinner, who picked up four wickets in his very first match against the Ashes rival in 1993, ended his career with 195 wickets in 36 Tests against England.

Warne’s best spell came in 1994 when his 8/71 inspired Australia to a 184-run victory at Brisbane. Among his victims were Graeme Hick (80), Graham Thorpe (67) and Graham Gooch (56) who played strong cameos in England’s second innings total of 323.

Among his 195 scalps against England, Shane Warne dismissed Alec Stewart a record 14 times.

Warne’s tally of wickets is second to none. The next bowler in the line to take most wickets against one opponent in Test cricket is Dennis Lillee. The former Australian quick grabbed 167 wickets in 29 Tests against Australia, and his best figures (7/81) coming in the 1981 Ashes Test at the Oval.

West Indian icon Curtly Ambrose is the third bowler with most wickets against one opponent in Test cricket. The towering bowler is the leading Windies wicket-taker against England, with 164 wickets in 34 matches. He is best remembered for his match-winning spell of 8/45 that propelled West Indies to a 164-run win at Bridgetown in 1990.

Glenn McGrath and Ian Botham wrap up the top-five list of bowlers with most wickets against one opponent in Test cricket.

McGrath, Australia’s leading Test wicket-taker in history with 563 wickets in 124 games, was one of England’s greatest tormentors in modern day cricket. In 30 head-to-head games, Glenn McGrath claimed 157 wickets with his best figures in an innings (8/38) coming in the 1997 Lord’s Test. His efforts helped the visitors reduce England to one of their lowest scores in red-ball cricket (77).

Lastly, Ian Botham grabbed 148 scalps in 36 meetings with Australia. The England icon’s best performance against the Aussies (6/78) came in a 138-run loss in the 1979 Perth Test.

Anil Kumble holds the Indian record for most wickets against one opponent in Test cricket. The iconic spinner grabbed 111 wickets in 20 matches against Australia, with his best spell coming in the 2004 Sydney Test

Most wickets against one opponent in Test cricket

Featured photo: AFP / WILLIAM WEST