The history of The Ashes

Australia’s first test win in England came at The Oval in 1882. At the time, the British tabloid had stated that “English Cricket had died at The Oval”. Since 1882, 70 Ashes series have been played. Australia has won 33 Ashes series. But who has taken the most Ashes wickets?

England has emerged victorious 31 times and there have been 6 drawn series. In this time, there have been some stunning bowling performances.

Recent examples include Stuart Broad’s 8-15 at Trent Bridge in 2015 and Nathan Lyon’s 6-49 at Edgbaston in 2019. But which bowlers have taken the most Ashes wickets?

Shane Warne – #Most Ashes Wickets

Shane Warne of Australia celebrates the wicket of England batsman Alec Stewart for 1 run during the 3rd Test match between England and Australia at Old Trafford, Manchester, 6th July 1997. Australia won the match by 268 runs. (Photo by Professional Sport/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)

Shane Warne has the highest number of wickets in Ashes history. He played 36 games between 1993-2007 and took 195 wickets. He was the tormentor of many English batsmen during his career.

His variations such as the slider and the flipper proved to be difficult to pick especially for the lower-order. His four 10-wicket hauls remain the joint highest for any bowler in Ashes cricket and the highest post World War 2.

Glenn McGrath

Glenn Mcgrath has the most wickets by a fast bowler in Ashes history. He took 157 wickets in just 30 test matches.

He was more successful against Michael Atherton than any other bowler in test history – having dismissed Atherton 19 times. Plus he also dismissed Alec Stewart and Mark Butcher 10 and 9 times respectively.

Warne & Mcgrath have taken lots of wickets, but have they ever made the Lords Honours Board?

Find out here – 5 Legends who are not on the Lord’s Honours Board

Hugh Trumble

Hugh Trumble is the only bowler on this list to have played in the Pre-War era. His career spanned between 1890 and 1904. His off-breaks garnered him 141 Ashes wickets in just 31 games. Hugh Trumble’s economy of just 2.23 is the lowest on this list.

Dennis Lillee

Dennis Lillee is regarded by some pundits as the greatest fast bowler of all time. He terrorised English batsmen both at home and away. He took 96 wickets on English soil at an average of just 20.56 – including six 5-wicket hauls.

Ian Botham

Ian Botham is the only English bowler to make this list. He is only the only all-rounder to make this list. In 32 Ashes tests, Ian Botham took 128 wickets at an average of 28.04. Perhaps his finest spell was at Edgbaston in 1981, where he took 5 wickets for just 1 run and helped England regain The Ashes.

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Who has taken the most Ashes wickets?