In cricket, SENA Countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) represent some of the most challenging places to play, especially for Asian teams. These countries are known for their fast, bouncy pitches, vastly different from Asian conditions. However, there are still some bowlers from outside the mainland who have performed exceptionally well in these conditions for their nation.
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Let's take a look at the Asian bowlers who have the most test wickets in SENA countries.
Most Test wickets in SENA | Asian Bowlers
1# Wasim Akram | 146 Wickets
Former Pakistani fast bowler Wasim Akram has the most Test wickets in SENA countries. Akram had taken 146 wickets in 32 Tests at an average of 24.11. Known as the “King of Swing,” Wasim Akram is undoubtedly one of the greatest fast bowlers in the history of cricket. Akram’s ability to generate swing made him deadly in foreign conditions.
Though he fell short of 150 wicket milestone, his contribution to Pakistan’s pace attack remains legendary.
2# Anil Kumble | 141 Wickets
Anil Kumble, who is India's highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, picked up 141 wickets in 35 Tests at an average of 37.04 played in SENA countries during his playing career. He also has claimed a five-wicket haul six times in the SENA nations and has been one of the most successful spinners not just among Indians but in the whole world. Kumble was most successful in the Australian conditions.
In 109 games across formats and across the SENA nations, Kumble managed to pick up 219 wickets for India.
3# Jasprit Bumrah | 134 Wickets
In 29 Test matches for India Jasprit Bumrah has 134 wickets to his name in SENA countries including 53 in Australia (10 matches), 37 in England (9 Tests), 6 in New Zealand (2 Tests), and 38 in South Africa (8 Tests). Bumrah needs 13 wickets in the two remaining Test Matches in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to overtake Wasim Akram and become the Asian bowler with the most test wickets in SENA countries.
Bumrah is also India's leading Test wicket-taker in Australia. He surpassed Kapil Dev's previous record of 51 wickets as he has 52 wickets from 10 Tests in Australia. He made his Test debut in South Africa and picked four wickets in his very first Test.
4# Ishant Sharma | 130 Wickets
Ishant Sharma, who last played for India in 2021, accumulated 130 wickets in 41 Tests at an average of 36.86, including 31 in 13 Tests in Australia and 51 in 15 Tests in England. He took 28 wickets in six Tests in New Zealand and 20 in seven Tests in South Africa. His best bowling figure of 7/74 came in England.
Who can ever forget Ishant Sharma’s iconic spell at the WACA when the 19-year-old rattled Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting with his relentless inswinging deliveries. The tall right-arm pacer was one of the stalwarts of the Indian cricket team under MS Dhoni.
Also Read: Most Wickets in Test Cricket
5# Muttiah Muralitharan | 125 Wickets
Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan is one of the most successful bowlers in the SENA countries as he took 125 wickets against them at an average of 26.69. Murali is also the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, with 800 wickets in 133 matches.
With the hepl of Muralitharan's figures of 7/155 and 9/65 in a one-off Test against England at The Oval in London, Sri Lanka defeated England for the first tim on English soil.