Fewest matches taken to reach 100 Test wickets
A bowler’s Test career is all about how many wickets they take within a stipulated number of matches. Meanwhile, taking a few matches to register 100 scalps in the longest format is no mean feat either with only a few of them having succeeded in this. Without further ado, here’s a look at three of the bowlers who have made this record in the least time.
3. Ravichandran Ashwin (18)
India’s seasoned off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin finds a notable mention on this elite list. He has numerous Test records to his name and is well on his way to becoming the second spinner after Anil Kumble to register 500 Test scalps. Meanwhile, it only took Ashwin 18 matches to reach 100 Test wickets. He achieved this feat by dismissing Daren Sammy during a Test match in Mumbai in November 2013.
2. Yasir Shah (17)
Yasir Shah is one of Pakistan’s lethal spinners and has the weapon of making any world-class batter look ordinary. Shah was brilliant while bowling in the UAE and English conditions.
It was during a Test match against West Indies that he became the joint-fastest bowler to register 100 Test scalps along with Charlie Turner, Sydney Barnes and Clarrie Grimmet, in just 17 red-ball appearances. He achieved the feat when he clean bowled Miguel Cummings during the day-night Test match in Dubai.
- George Lohmann (16)
Former English cricketer George Alfred Lohmann made a name in the gentleman’s game during the 1800s with his remarkable pace and accuracy. The legendary bowler became the first cricketer to achieve this feat during a match against South Africa at Johannesburg in March 1896. It has been well over a century and the feat remains intact to date. It took him just 10 Test matches to complete 50 scalps.
