Three bowlers closing in on 500 Test wickets

The 500-wicket mark in Test cricket remains one of the sport’s most exclusive achievements. Only one active bowler has crossed this threshold, making the pursuit of this milestone a significant measure of a cricketer’s longevity and skill in the longest format. Nathan Lyon of Australia stands as the sole active player to have surpassed this landmark, having claimed 567 wickets across 142 Test matches. His achievement underscores the rarity of reaching such a milestone in international cricket.

Mitchell Starc of Australia has emerged as the closest active challenger to this historic milestone. The left-arm fast bowler has taken 445 wickets in 107 Test matches and requires 55 more wickets to reach 500. Starc recently added to his tally with a 10-wicket haul against Bangladesh in Mackay, which propelled him into the overall top 10 wicket-takers in Test history. His recent performances have accelerated his climb towards the 500-wicket milestone, demonstrating his continued effectiveness as a fast bowler at the international level.

Here are 3 active cricketers closest to 500-wicket mark in Test cricket

1. Mitchell Starc (Australia)

With 55 wickets still required, Mitchell Starc remains the most likely of the three to reach this landmark in the near future. The Australian left-arm fast bowler’s recent 10-wicket haul against Bangladesh demonstrated his continued ability to take wickets in bunches at the international level.

His entry into the overall top 10 wicket-takers in Test history reflects his sustained excellence across more than a decade of Test cricket. Starc’s pace and skill with the new ball continue to make him a potent force in Australia’s bowling attack.

2. Ravindra Jadeja (India)

Ravindra Jadeja of India stands as the world number one Test all-rounder and has accumulated approximately 356 wickets across 91 Test matches. The left-arm spinner requires around 144 wickets to reach the 500-wicket milestone. Jadeja has continued to add to his tally in recent matches, including performances in the Colombo Test, where he took wickets in both the first innings and the follow-on.

His dual role as a batter and bowler has made him invaluable to India’s Test squad, yet his bowling record alone places him firmly in contention for this exclusive club. The distance between Jadeja and the 500-wicket mark remains substantial compared to Starc, though his consistency suggests he could eventually reach the milestone.

3. Kagiso Rabada (South Africa)

Kagiso Rabada of South Africa has taken 340 wickets in 73 Test matches, placing him third among active bowlers in the race to 500 wickets. The fast bowler requires 160 more wickets to join the exclusive club, a target that remains achievable given his consistent performances at the international level.

Rabada’s trajectory suggests he could potentially reach the milestone in the coming years, though the distance between him and the leaders remains substantial. Among the three bowlers, Starc’s proximity to 500 wickets makes him the most likely to achieve this landmark in the near future, with Jadeja following at a greater distance and Rabada still requiring a significant number of additional wickets.