Most Wickets by Australia in Tests (Updated Stats)

Shane Warne has the most wickets by Australia in Test cricket with 708 wickets in 145 matches (1992-2007), with 37 five-wicket hauls and 10 ten-wicket matches at an average of 25.41. No other spin bowler or fast bowler for Australia has exceeded 563 wickets.

As of 2025, Nathan Lyon has overtaken Glenn McGrath with 570+ Test wickets, while McGrath finished with 563 at 21.64. Along with Starc, Cummins, and Hazlewood, Australia’s attack has over 1,100 Test wickets combined and became the first team with four bowlers over 250 wickets each.

Most Wickets by Australia in Tests - Top 10 List

Player	Span	Mat	Inn	Wkts	Avg	Econ	Best	Type / Status
Shane Warne	1992–07	145	273	708	25.41	2.65	8/71	Leg-Spin / Deceased
Nathan Lyon*	2011–26	142+	270+	572+	30.1	2.91	8/50	Off-Spin / Active
Glenn McGrath	1993–07	124	243	563	21.64	2.49	8/24	RM-Pace / Retired
Mitchell Starc*	2011–26	100+	195+	420+	26.5	3.41	7/58	LM-Pace / Active
Dennis Lillee	1971–84	70	132	355	23.92	2.7	7/83	RM-Pace / Retired
Pat Cummins*	2011–26	75+	148+	316+	21.9	2.84	6/23	RM-Pace / Active
Mitchell Johnson	2007–15	73	137	313	28.4	3.28	8/61	LM-Pace / Retired
Brett Lee	1999–08	76	145	310	30.82	3.54	5/30	RM-Pace / Retired
Josh Hazlewood*	2014–26	70+	137+	300+	24.1	2.96	6/67	RM-Pace / Active
Craig McDermott	1984–96	71	138	291	28.63	3.28	8/97	RM-Pace / Retired

* Active player. Stats reflect career through March 2026. LM = Left-arm Medium. RM = Right-arm Medium.

4 Things This Table Does Not Tell You

The 708 of Shane Warne in the Most Wickets by Australia in Tests cannot be matched, with Nathan Lyon in second with 572 wickets, 136 wickets behind him.

It would take Nathan Lyon approximately four further complete Test series, at his present average wicket-taking rate, to match the Australian record of Shane Warne, which is not easy at the age of 38. It is not impossible, but the true challenge is to be as long-lived and as long as Warne has been brilliant.

The average of 21.64 in 563 Test wickets of Glenn McGrath is the highest of Australian fast bowlers with 300 or more wickets; Pat Cummins (21.9) is the nearest active bowler.

The significance of 21.64 stands out: Lillee averaged 23.92, Johnson 28.40, Lee 30.82. McGrath was not fast, but hard, disciplined precision, who gave nothing loose. His 21.64 reflects control. The closest match in operation is Cummins (21.9).

In 2024, the first-ever Test team in history to have had four bowlers with 250+ wickets simultaneously was Australia: Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood and Lyon.

It was also the time when Hazlewood fired Alick Athanaze in Adelaide vs WI. Lyon had 530+, McGrath 563 near, Warne 708 untouchable, and all four Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood, Lyon over 250 wickets. This collective longevity is only attained by no other Test team.

The 37 wickets of Mitchell Johnson during the 2013-2014 Ashes are the most taken by an Australian since 1936. His average in five Tests was 13.97 with Australia triumphing 5-0.

The 2013-2014 Ashes is regarded as a high-performance of bowling. Johnson, who had been dropped and had doubts after 2009 and 201011, came back to conquer England with 145 – 150 kph pace and pressure of short balls. He took 37 wickets at 13.97, far beyond his career figures (313 at 28.40).

Glenn McGrath: 563 Wickets, average 21.64, the fast bowler who transformed the accuracy in Test cricket.

Glenn McGrath took between 1993 and 2007 in 124 Tests with a simple but almost impossible formula: bowling incessantly a fourth or fifth stump line on a good length, never, however, relinquishing a poor delivery. Secondary were seam movement and late swing, control, and consistency were the basis.

His achievement was by making the opposition make mistakes instead of circumstances, such as his 8/24 vs Pakistan at Perth in 2004 on a flat pitch. He constantly harassed England in the Ashes in cricket with 36 wickets, and sent Alec Stewart home 19 times with the same line of inquiry. He had 563 wickets at 21.64 and an economy of 2.49, which was founded on incessant accuracy.

Australia's Top Test Wicket-Takers - Bowling Average Compared

Player	Wickets	Average	Economy	Strike Rate	5-fors	10-fors
Glenn McGrath	563	21.64	2.49	52.1	29	3
Pat Cummins	316+	21.9	2.84	46	15+	1+
Dennis Lillee	355	23.92	2.7	52	23	7
Josh Hazlewood	300+	24.1	2.96	49	11+	0
Shane Warne	708	25.41	2.65	57.5	37	10
Mitchell Starc	420+	26.5	3.41	46.5	18+	3
Jason Gillespie	259	26.13	2.94	53.6	8	0
Mitchell Johnson	313	28.4	3.28	51.9	12	1
Nathan Lyon	572+	30.1	2.91	62	24+	5+
Brett Lee	310	30.82	3.54	52.4	10	1

Will Nathan Lyon reach 600 Test wickets, and last to 2027 Ashes in the Most Wickets by Australia in Tests debate?

Nathan Lyon is about 30 wickets short of 600, with a clear path through the 2026 WTC cycle and 2026-27 Ashes, averaging 30-40 wickets a year at 38 with no major decline, as seen in his 8/50 in 2023. In the “Most Wickets by Australia in Tests” context, he remains central as Australia’s only frontline spinner.

Reaching Warne’s 708 needs another 136 wickets and 3-4 more seasons, which is unlikely but possible if fitness holds. With Australia’s ageing “Awesome Foursome” and emerging backups like Todd Murphy and Lance Morris, Lyon’s late-career stretch depends mainly on workload and longevity.

708. The number Warne left, defining the most wickets by Australia in tests story, everything else is a long effort to see how far it stands from the rest.

FAQs - Most wickets by Australia in Tests

Who has taken the most wickets by Australia in Test cricket?

Shane Warne holds the record for the most Test wickets for Australia, with 708 wickets in 145 matches between 1992 and 2007.

Can Nathan Lyon break Shane Warne’s record?

Nathan Lyon needs over 130 more wickets to surpass Warne’s 708. While it is possible, it would require 3-4 more years of consistent performance, making it a difficult challenge.

Who is Australia’s best fast bowler in Test cricket?

Glenn McGrath is widely regarded as Australia’s greatest fast bowler, with 563 wickets at an outstanding average of 21.64.

Australian bowler taken more than 600 Test wickets?

So far, only Shane Warne has crossed 600 Test wickets. Nathan Lyon is close and could become the second Australian to achieve this milestone.

How strong is Australia’s current Test bowling attack?

Australia’s current attack – Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon – has over 1,000 combined wickets, with each bowler having 250+ wickets, a rare achievement in Test history.

Who has the best bowling average among Australian greats?

Glenn McGrath has the best average (21.64) among Australian bowlers with 300+ wickets, highlighting his exceptional accuracy and consistency.

What is Mitchell Johnson’s most iconic Test performance?

Mitchell Johnson delivered one of the greatest performances in the 2013-14 Ashes, taking 37 wickets in five Tests at an average of 13.97.

Is Australia the first team with four bowlers having 250+ wickets?

Yes, in 2024, Australia became the first Test team to have four bowlers-Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood, and Lyon-with 250+ wickets at the same time.

What role does Nathan Lyon play in Australia’s Test team?

Nathan Lyon is Australia’s primary spinner and a key part of the bowling attack, especially important for balance in overseas conditions.

How secure is Shane Warne’s 708-wicket record?

Warne’s record remains highly secure due to the difficulty of maintaining long-term consistency and fitness in modern Test cricket.