Ashes is one of the best tournaments in the globe. It is El Classico of football between Barcelona and Real Madrid. In such a trademark event, every player wants to do well for their country, no matter what the situation is. It’s always been easier for the fast bowlers to perform compared to spinners, as the wickets in England and Australia are fast bowling friendly. But you will be amazed to know that a spinner tops the list of taking the most wickets in Ashes history.

Shane Warne
Probably the greatest leg spinner of all time, Shane Warne conquers the list of having the most wickets in the Ashesh history, 195 wickets in 36 matches. In between 1993 to 2007, Warne played 7 series, making his debut in 1993, Warne’s first ball in the 1993 Ashes is called the ball of the century. The ball got pitched on the leg stump and took the off stump of English batsman Mike Gatting. Maintaining an average of 23.25, Warne claimed 11 fifers & 4 ten-wicket hauls. The magician also holds the record of bowling the most deliveries in Ashes (10757).
Glenn McGrath
The greatest fast bowler of all time, Glenn McGrath finds himself at 2nd place in terms of claiming the most wickets in the Ashes history. The right-hand pacer bagged 157 wickets in 30 games at an impressive strike rate of 46.3. In 1997, McGrath returned with 8 for 38 at Lord’s against the host England. The ace fast bowler surpassed the 5 wicket mark 10 times in the event. McGrath was a significant part of the Australian side, always ripping the English batting lineup with his impeccable bowling.
Hugh Trumble
Former Australian off-spinner Hugh Trumble has taken the 3rd most wickets in the history of Ashes. In his 14 years of career (1890-1904), Trumble played 31 Ashes games and grabbed 141 wickets at a decent average of 20.88. The all-rounder from Victoria scalped five wickets 9 times and ten wickets 3 times. His supreme show was 8 wickets for 65 runs.
Dennis Lillee
Whenever we talk about the fastest bowlers of all time, we have to utter Dennis Lillee’s name. Dennis Lillee has also made it to this list, bagging 128 wickets in 24 matches. The pace was the major weapon of Lillee, It was tenacious for the batsmen to score against him. With an average of 22.32, Lillee had a strike rate of 54.6.
Ian Botham
Former English all-rounder, Ian Botham gets the 5th spot in the matter of grabbing the most wickets in Ashes. Botham took 128 wickets in 24 Ashes games. His bowling average is captivating of 28.04. In every 56 balls, Botham has bagged 1 wicket in Ashes. His best came in 1981 Ashes at Leeds, returned with 6/95.
Player | Matches | Innings | Wickets | Average | Strike Rate | Best | Fifers |
Shane Warne | 36 | 72 | 195 | 23.25 | 55.1 | 8/71 | 11 |
Glenn McGrath | 30 | 60 | 157 | 20.92 | 46.3 | 8/38 | 10 |
Hugh Trumble | 31 | 55 | 141 | 20.88 | 55.9 | 8/65 | 9 |
Dennis Lillee | 24 | 47 | 128 | 22.32 | 54.6 | 7/89 | 7 |
Ian Botham | 32 | 58 | 128 | 28.04 | 56.6 | 6/95 | 7 |
Bob Wills | 31 | 61 | 123 | 24.37 | 52.5 | 8/43 | 7 |
Stuart Broad | 33 | 59 | 119 | 29.72 | 56.00 | 8/15 | 7 |
Monty Noble | 39 | 66 | 115 | 24.86 | 59.9 | 7/17 | 9 |
Ray Lindwall | 29 | 51 | 114 | 22.44 | 59.0 | 7/63 | 6 |
Wilfred Rhodes | 41 | 65 | 109 | 24.00 | 53.1 | 8/68 | 6 |
Shane Warne has taken the most wickets in Ashes, 195 wickets.
Pat Cummins bagged the most wickets in Ashes 2017, 23 wickets in 5 matches.
Stuart Broad has taken the most wickets among the current active players (119).
Senior Cricket Content Editor at Skyblogs Cricket.
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