Top five fastest bowlers to 300 Test wickets by balls bowled

Over time, test cricket has transformed. Throughout its rich history, It has witnessed numerous teams evolve and adapt. Although the style of play has continued to change, test cricket’s nature of testing players on their endurance and determination level has remained constant.

Test cricket is still considered as the best format of the game, and a player's performance there is still regarded as the standard for their legacy. It challenges every player who takes the field, but bowlers in particular are tested not only on their skill set but also on their ability to plan and persevere.

In the 147-year history of test cricket, 39 bowlers have claimed 300 or more wickets. In terms of matches played, Ravichandran Ashwin is the fastest player to reach the milestone, but he took more than 15,000 balls to do so, making him not the fastest player in terms of balls taken. 

In light of that, let’s look at the top five fastest bowlers to pick 300 wickets in test cricket in terms of balls taken.

5. Malcolm Marshall – 13,728 balls

Malcolm Marshall, the sole bowler from the West Indies on the list, is widely regarded as one of the best fast bowlers of all time. In 1978, Marshall made his debut in Bangalore (now Bengaluru) against India. He was renowned for his ability to produce additional bounce from the surface and his disciplined bowling.

Malcolm Marshall created history against Australia in Melbourne in 1988 when he became the then fastest bowler (by balls taken) to take 300 test wickets. Marshall ended his career at the Oval against England with 376 wickets at a bowling average of 20.94.

4. Allan Donald – 13,672 balls

Allan Donald, popularly known as the "White Lightning," is considered to be among the fastest bowlers in cricket history. Donald made his debut against the West Indies in 1992 and immediately became one of the world's most formidable fast bowlers.

In 2000, Donald etched his name in the history books when he took the 300th test wicket of his career against New Zealand in Bloemfontein. He claimed 300 test wickets in 13,672 deliveries. In 2003, Donald ended his illustrious ten-year career in Johannesburg against Australia.

3. Dale Steyn – 12,605 balls

South African speedster Dale Steyn is next on the list. Known as the "Steyn Gun," he achieved this unique milestone against New Zealand in the first test of the SA vs NZ test series in Cape Town in 2013. Steyn made history by becoming the fastest South African bowler to reach 300 wickets in test cricket in terms of balls taken, surpassing Allan Donald's previous record.

Throughout his illustrious career, Steyn took 439 test wickets at a bowling average of just 22.95. Steyn’s career was cut short due to frequent injuries. Unfortunately, Steyn did not play 100 Test matches during his career, despite being one of the best fast bowlers of this century.

2. Waqar Younis – 12,602 balls

Waqar Younis, one of Pakistan's all-time great fast bowlers, made his debut in Karachi in 1989 against India. Waqar reached the remarkable milestone of taking 300 test wickets against Sri Lanka at Colombo in the year 2000. Waqar's 300th test wicket came after 12,602 balls. 

Known for his incredible pace and deadly reverse swing, Waqar formed a legendary bowling partnership with Wasim Akram. Following a brilliant 14-year career, Waqar retired from test cricket in 2003. With a bowling average of just 23.5 during his career, Waqar claimed 373 test wickets.

1. Kagiso Rabada – 11,817 balls

Topping the list is the leader of the current South African pace attack Kagiso Rabada. He is also the third South African on the list, demonstrating the nation's strength in the fast bowling category.

In the first test of South Africa's 2024 tour of Bangladesh, Rabada completed 300 test wickets. He completed the feat in 65 matches, which is the third-fastest of all South African bowlers, and with just 11,817 deliveries, the fastest of all 39 bowlers to reach 300 test wickets.

Cover Credits - ICC Official