Muttiah Muralitharan is the highest wicket-taker in Sri Lankan history. The legendary spinner claimed 534 Test wickets in 133 matches at an average of 22.72. He is also the leading wicket-taker in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) with 534 scalps in 350 games.
Muralitharan is the only bowler in history to claim 800 Test wickets. He achieved the milestone in his final Test match against India in 2010. The Sri Lankan great is also the leading wicket-taker in first-class cricket with 1,281 wickets.
Chaminda Vaas is the second highest wicket-taker in Sri Lankan history. The left-arm pace bowler claimed 400 Test wickets in 111 matches at an average of 29.58. He is also the second leading wicket-taker in ODIs with 282 scalps in 213 games.
Vaas is the only bowler in history to claim a Test match hat-trick on the first day of the match. He achieved the feat against Bangladesh in 2001. The Sri Lankan pace legend is also the only bowler to claim two Ten-Wicket Hauls in ODIs.
Rangana Herath is the third highest wicket-taker in Sri Lankan history. The left-arm spinner claimed 433 Test wickets in 93 matches at an average of 28.07. He is also the third leading wicket-taker in ODIs with 338 scalps in 227 games.
Herath is the leading wicket-taker in Test matches among left-arm spinners. He surpassed Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara’s record of 433 Test wickets in 2017. The Sri Lankan great is also the leading wicket-taker in first-class cricket among left-arm spinners with 1,361 wickets.
Kumar Sangakkara is the fourth highest wicket-taker in Sri Lankan history. The legendary batsman claimed 433 Test wickets in 134 matches at an average of 32.58. He is also the fourth leading wicket-taker in ODIs
2. The top three wicket takers of all time
Sri Lanka has produced some of the finest cricketers in the world and it is no surprise that three of the top ten wicket takers of all time hail from the island nation. Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas and Lasith Malinga are three of the most decorated bowlers in the history of the game and have been instrumental in Sri Lanka’s success over the years.
Muralitharan is the leading wicket taker in both Test and ODI cricket and is widely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers of all time. He made his debut for Sri Lanka in 1992 and quickly established himself as a world-class performer. He has taken over 1500 wickets in international cricket and is the only bowler to have taken 800 Test wickets.
Vaas is second on the list of leading wicket takers for Sri Lanka. He made his debut in 1994 and played a key role in Sri Lanka’s triumph at the 1996 World Cup. He is the only bowler to have taken two hat-tricks in Test cricket and is also the only Sri Lankan to have taken 300 Test wickets.
Malinga is the third Sri Lankan on the list of leading wicket takers. He made his debut in 2004 and quickly established himself as one of the most feared bowlers in world cricket. He is the only bowler to have taken four wickets in four balls in an ODI match and has also taken two hat-tricks in international cricket.
These three legends of Sri Lankan cricket have been instrumental in the success of the national team over the years. They have all been world-class performers and have set numerous records. They are all deserving of their place in the top ten wicket takers of all time.
3. A look at the top bowlers in Sri Lankan cricket
The island of Sri Lanka has produced some of the world’s finest cricketing talent over the years. The likes of Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, and Lasith Malinga have all represented the country with distinction and have been instrumental in Sri Lanka’s success on the international stage.
Today, we take a look at the three highest wicket-takers in Sri Lankan cricket history.
1. Muttiah Muralitharan – 800 Test wickets
Arguably the greatest spin bowler of all time, Muttiah Muralitharan is the leading wicket-taker in both Test and ODI cricket. He made his debut for Sri Lanka in 1992 and quickly established himself as one of the team’s leading bowlers.
Muralitharan was at his peak during the late 1990s and early 2000s, where he was virtually unplayable on pitches that favoured spin bowling. He finished his Test career with an astonishing 800 wickets, the most by any bowler in history.
2. Chaminda Vaas – 355 Test wickets
A left-arm fast bowler, Chaminda Vaas is regarded as one of the finest seam bowlers to have represented Sri Lanka. He made his debut in 1994 and was a key member of the Sri Lankan team that won the Cricket World Cup in 1996.
Vaas was at his best during the late 1990s and early 2000s, where he was virtually unplayable on pitches that favoured seam bowling. He finished his Test career with an impressive 355 wickets, the second-most by a Sri Lankan bowler.
3. Lasith Malinga – 301 Test wickets
A right-arm fast bowler, Lasith Malinga is one of the most feared bowlers in world cricket. He made his debut for Sri Lanka in 2004 and quickly established himself as one of the team’s leading bowlers.
Malinga was at his peak during the mid-2000s, where his unique bowling action and ability to bowl yorkers at will made him a nightmare for batsmen. He finished his Test career
4. Why these bowlers are considered legends
The island nation of Sri Lanka has produced some of the finest cricketers in the world. The country has a rich cricketing heritage and has produced some of the greatest cricketers of all time.
The Sri Lankan cricket team is currently ranked seventh in the world in the ICC Test rankings and has won the Cricket World Cup on two occasions. The team has also been runners-up in the World Cup on two occasions.
Sri Lanka has produced some of the finest bowlers in the history of the game. The island nation has produced some of the greatest cricketers of all time.
The following bowlers are considered legends in Sri Lankan cricket.
1. Muttiah Muralitharan
Muttiah Muralitharan is widely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers of all time. He is the leading wicket-taker in both Test and ODI cricket. He has taken more than 1600 wickets in his career.
Muralitharan is a spin bowler and is known for his ability to spin the ball both ways. He is also known for his accuracy and control. He has been a key member of the Sri Lankan cricket team for many years and has played a major role in the team’s success.
2. Chaminda Vaas
Chaminda Vaas is another legend of Sri Lankan cricket. He is a fast bowler and is the second leading wicket-taker in Test cricket for Sri Lanka. He has taken more than 400 wickets in his career.
Vaas is known for his ability to swing the ball both ways and for his accuracy. He has been a key member of the Sri Lankan cricket team for many years and has played a major role in the team’s success.
3. Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga is a fast bowler and is the third leading wicket-taker in Test cricket for Sri Lanka. He has taken more than 350 wickets in his career.
Malinga is known for his ability to bowl fast and accurate yorkers. He is also known for his slinging action which makes it
5. How they have helped Sri Lanka become a top cricketing nation
The island nation of Sri Lanka has produced some of the world’s greatest cricketing talents over the years. From the great Muttiah Muralitharan to the current captain Angelo Mathews, Sri Lanka has always been a force to reckon with in the cricketing world. In this blog, let’s take a look at five of the most influential Sri Lankan cricketers who have helped the country become a top cricketing nation.
1. Muttiah Muralitharan
Undoubtedly the greatest Sri Lankan cricketer of all time, Muttiah Muralitharan is also one of the greatest spin bowlers in the history of the game. He made his Test debut in 1992 against Australia and went on to play 133 Test matches for Sri Lanka, claiming an incredible 800 wickets at an average of 22.72. He is the leading wicket-taker in both Test and ODI cricket and is the only bowler to have taken 1000 international wickets.
2. Kumar Sangakkara
One of the most elegant batsmen of his generation, Kumar Sangakkara is also one of the most successful Sri Lankan cricketers of all time. He made his Test debut in 2000 against South Africa and went on to play 134 Test matches for Sri Lanka, scoring 12,400 runs at an average of 57.40.
3. Mahela Jayawardene
One of the most stylish batsmen of his generation, Mahela Jayawardene is also one of the most successful Sri Lankan cricketers of all time. He made his Test debut in 1997 against India and went