The 2023 Ashes series is starting from June 16 and will continue till the last day of July 2023. The five venues will be Edgbaston, Lord's, Headingley, Old Trafford, and The Oval. Australia are the holders of the Ashes going into the series, having won the last series at home 4–0. The series will begin the 2023–2025 ICC World Test Championship. The Ashes is Widely regarded as the biggest Test rivalry in cricket. This is where the heroes are born. Several heroes and legends emerge from the Ashes courtesy of their performances with bat and ball. In this article, we'll have a look at the players who have taken the most wickets in a single Ashes series.

Read Also: Most runs scored by batsmen in an Ashes series

The first-ever multi-match Test series was played in 1882-83, with England claiming a 2-1 win. The history books show that Joey Palmer was the first bowler with the most wickets in an Ashes series. He bagged 17 wickets at an economy of 2.11.

Most wickets in an Ashes series (Top Five):

Jim Laker: 46 wickets in the 1956 Ashes

Jim Laker is one of the greatest bowlers ever to have played Cricket. He was the wrecker-in-chief in the first Test at Old Trafford in 1956 where he bagged 19 Australian wickets for 90 runs. With figures of 9 for 37 in the first innings and 10 for 53 in the second, the legendary English bowler also bettered the record for best figures in a first-class match previously held by Harold Arkwright (18/96). Jim Laker was also the first bowler to scalp 10 in a single Test inning, a feat matched later by India's Anil Kumble in 1999.

Terry Alderman: 42 wickets in the 1981 Ashes

Among the many bowlers that came after Jim Laker, Terry Alderman was the only player who came close to break the English legend's record for most wickets in an Ashes series, not once but twice. Alderman had a brilliant debut in Test cricket, as he bagged nine wickets in the first Ashes Test at Nottingham in 1981. He finished with 42 wickets in that series, which is the best tally in an Ashes series after Laker's 46. The performance saw him break Rodney Hogg's record for most wickets in an Ashes series by an Aussie bowler (41).

Rodney Hogg: 41 wickets in the 1978-79 Ashes

Former Australian pacer Rodney Hogg is regarded as one of the wonder bowlers in Ashes history. He failed to make a sizeable impact in his six-year-long Test career beyond the series against England.

Hogg announced himself with seven wickets in the first Test. In the second and third Tests of the 1978-79 Ashes, Hogg took 10 wickets each. Hogg finished with 41 wickets at the end of the series and became the Australian bowler with maximum wickets in a single Ashes until Terry Alderman broke his record in 1981.

Terry Alderman: 41 wickets in the 1989 Ashes

after taking 42 wickets in 1981, Terry Alderman returned in another dream series where he bagged 41 wickets. He missed out on becoming the bowler with the most wickets in a single Ashes by only 6 wickets. 8 years ago, he came close and picked 42, and this time 41. he scalped 19 wickets across the first two Tests. The Perth-born pacer went on to claim another 22 scalps in the next three tests.

Shane Warne: 40 wickets in the 2005 Ashes

Shane Warne is one of the greatest spinners to ever play cricket. He has gone down in history as England's great tormentor with spin in modern Ashes history. Warne holds the record for most wickets in the Ashes (195) and is one of the key players who helped Australia hold onto their legacy for almost two decades.

In the 2005 Ashes, the legendary Australian spinner scalped six in both innings of the fifth and final Test at the Oval, but his efforts went in vain as England won the Ashes for the first time since 1986-87. Shane Warne bagged 40 wickets in 2005 against England and he is still the last bowler to record 40 wickets or more in a single Ashes.

Most wickets in an Ashes series (Top Ten):

India vs West Indies Test series is currently in progress, with India taking a 1-0 lead after the first match. In the opening match, West Indies won the toss and chose to bat first, but Team India's bowlers quickly put them on the back foot, dismissing the Caribbean side for just 162 runs in their first innings. India then took to the crease and declared at 448 for 5, securing a commanding first-innings lead of 286 runs. In their second innings, the West Indies struggled again and were bowled out for 146, handing India a comprehensive victory by an innings and 140 runs. 

The second and final Test will be held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, starting on October 9th. Team India will aim to complete a series sweep, while the West Indies will look to level the contest.

Also Read: Result of every India vs Australia ODI series

So, before the second Test, let's take a look at the result of every India vs West Indies Test series.

India vs West Indies: Head-to-head stats in Tests

In recent years, India have the wood over West Indies as far as Test cricket is concerned. While West Indies dominated the rivalry in the 70s and 80s, India have reduced the gap with their own era of dominance. The Men in Blue haven’t lost a Test match to Wi in 23 years. India’s last Test defeat in the IND vs WI series came in May 2002. They have won the last 9 Test series in a row, without losing a single Test.

India vs West Indies: Last series result

In the ongoing two Test series, India wrapped up the first Test against West Indies by an innings and 140 runs on day three at the Narendra Modi Stadium on October 6, Saturday. The visitors had scored 162 runs in the first innings. In reply, India had declared its first innings at 448-5 with a lead of 286 runs.

West Indies performed even worse in their second innings being bowled out for 146 in 45.1 overs. Vice-captain Ravindra Jadeja, India's most valuable player in red ball cricket ran displayed his all-round credentials capping his unbeaten hundred with a four wicket haul (4 for 54).

Also Read: Cricket facts: Every ODI captain of India and their records (men’s)

India vs West Indies: Full Series Results

Cricket Australia on Friday announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming Women's ODI World Cup 2025. The Australian team will enter the World Cup under the leadership of experienced wicketkeeper-batsman Alyssa Healy. Left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux and allrounder Georgia Wareham have returned to the squad after recovering from injury.

The seven-time champion Australia is also the defending champion and will look to maintain its dominance in the upcoming competition. This tournament will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from September 30 to November 2.

Also Read: ICC Women's World Cup 2025: Prize money in Women's World Cup sets history, rise of 297 percent from the last edition

Players return from injuries

Sophie Molineux has been out since January due to a knee injury. However, she will not be able to play in the three-match ODI series against India from 14 to 20 September. Darcie Brown and Georgia Wareham also returned to the squad from recent injuries.

Ten of the 15 members named featured in the previous edition of the tournament back in 2022, with skipper Alyssa Healy taking charge of the squad in her third Cricket World Cup.

Australia to begin campaign on October 1

The Australia also includes 10 players who were also part of the last tournament played in 2022. This team also includes experienced players like Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Tahlia McGrath and Ash Gardner. Australia will begin its campaign against New Zealand in Indore on October 1.

Australia will finalise its preparations for the mega event with three ODIs against hosts India from September 14-20 in New Chandigarh and New Dehli, before opening its Women's ODI World Cup 2025 campaign.

Australia will face each of the other seven nations across the round-robin format, with the top four sides progressing to the semi-finals on October 29 and 30. The Final will be played November 2.

Also Read: ICC Women’s World Cup 2025: Indian squad announced, Shefali Verma not in the team

Women's ODI World Cup 2025: Australia Squad

Alyssa Healy (c), Darcie Brown, Ash Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.

Shreyas Iyer is on the verge of a comeback to India’s Test and T20I squads after dominating in ODIs and IPL 2025. Selectors now see Iyer as an all-format solution for India’s middle order, especially ahead of the Asia Cup and West Indies Test series. His comeback is expected to bring stability and experience, especially on spin-friendly tracks where India has struggled lately. 

Iyer has been out of favour in Tests since a back issue and poor form saw him lose his berth during the home series against England last year. The decision-makers, however, feel Iyer has done all the right things since losing his contract after expressing a reluctance to play domestic cricket. 

Also Read: Indian Cricket Team's upcoming schedule (men and women)

Let's have a look at Shreyas Iyer's best knocks in Tests.

Shreyas Iyer's best knocks in Tests

105 vs New Zealand (2021)

It was one of Shreyas Iyer's best knocks in Tests against New Zealand in the first test match in Kanpur. Iyer played a phenomenal knock of 105 runs off 171 balls, including 13 fours and two sixes. This knock was memorable for Iyer as it was his debut hundred in the test match against New Zealand.

92 vs Sri Lanka (2022)

Iyer played a gem of a knock in the pink-ball Test at M Chinnaswamy Stadium against Sri Lanka in 2022. India were 86/4 after electing to bat. Iyer shone with a blistering 92 off 98 deliveries, whipping 10 fours and four maximums.

He played with the tail-enders and was the last man to be dismissed (252/10). India eventually won by 238 runs.

87 vs Bangladesh (2022)

Bowling first, India folded Bangladesh on 227. India, however, had a shaky start and were down to 94/4. Iyer then joined hands with a ferocious-looking Rishabh Pant and the duo plundered 159 runs for the fifth wicket. The pair played a part as India snatched an 87-run lead (314/10).

Iyer smacked 87 off 105 deliveries (4s: 10, 6s: 2), lifting India from the trenches.

86 vs Bangladesh (2022)

India stumbled in the first Test too (112/4 in 31.4 overs). They needed to keep the Tigers at bay. Iyer and Cheteshwar Pujara delivered the needful, stitching a 149-run partnership before the latter departed (261/5).

Iyer got out the next day after a well-struck 86 off 192 deliveries. India ended up scoring 404 in the first innings and eventually won by 188 runs.

67 vs Sri Lanka (2022)

Rishabh Pant put the Sri Lankan attack to the sword with a record-breaking half-century while Shreyas Iyer yet again conjured up a measured fifty to let India grab complete control of the second Test over Sri Lanka.

Pant’s 31-ball 50 and Iyer’s 67 after useful contributions from top-order batters meant that India set Sri Lanka a mammoth 447-run target after declaring their second innings at 303 for nine. 

Also Read: ENG vs IND: Every record Shubman Gill broke in test series

65 vs New Zealand (2021)

It was another mature knock from Iyer while playing only his second innings in the purest format. India (41/3) were in a spot of bother when the debutant arrived. Despite running out of partners, Iyer managed to carve a 125-ball 65. He ended up top-scoring for the hosts.

He was noted for fetching pivotal stands with Ashwin and Wriddhiman Saha, helping India reach 167/7.

Matt Henry dismissed opener Brian Bennett for a duck during his first over of Zimbabwe’s second innings on the third day of the second Test, and that made it the 38th consecutive innings of him taking at least one wicket. Among pacers, only Australia’s Dennis Lillee and Pakistan’s Waqar Younis have maintained a longer streak of taking at least one wicket in an innings.

In this article, we will have a look at the pacers with longest wicket-taking streak in Tests.

Also Read: Most Hundreds in Test cricket among active players

Longest wicket-taking streak in Tests among pacers

1. Dennis Lillee | 41 Innings

One of Australia's greatest ever fast bowlers, Dennis Lillee held the record for longest wicket-taking streak in Tests. He has 41 consecutive innings of taking at least one wicket. 

Lillee finished his career with 355 Test wickets playing 70 matches, including taking a wicket off his final delivery in international cricket. He also has 23 five-wicket hauls and 7 ten-wicket hauls.

2. Waqar Younis | 41 Innings

Waqar Younis jointly holds the record for longest wicket-taking streak in Tests, as the former Pakistan seamer achieved this feat for 41 straight innings. The former right arm fast bowler is widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time.

As of 2012, Younis holds the record for the youngest Pakistani Test captain and the third youngest Test captain in history (22 years 15 days). He played 87 Tests matches for Pakistan during his international cricket career from 1989 to 2003. He has 373 wickets in test cricket with a brilliant average of 23.56. Younis also has 22 five-wicket hauls and 5 ten-wicket hauls to his name.

3. Matt Henry | 38* Innings

New Zealand’s Matt Henry is potentially two Tests and four innings away from an all-time record of Lillee and Younis after the Kiwi speedster struck in his first over of Zimbabwe’s second innings on the third day of the second Test. Henry dismissed opener Brian Bennett for a duck, and that made it the 38th consecutive innings of him taking at least one wicket.

Since the start of 2024, Henry is now taken 64 wickets at an average of 15.96. No bowler who has taken 60+ wickets during this period, not even Jasprit Bumrah, has maintained a better average. January 3, 2021, in Christchurch (second innings) against Pakistan was the last time Henry failed to take a wicket in an innings in Tests.

Also Read: Most Test Centuries in Cricket History

4. Kagiso Rabada | 38 Innings

Proteas pace ace Kagiso Rabada is the most lethal bowler in Test history. He also has 38 consecutive innings of taking at least one wicket. Rabada (39.1) also holds the record for the best SR in Test cricket history among players with more than 150 Test wickets.

In 71 Tests, Rabada managed to take 336 wickets so far with an average of 21.74. He also has 17 five-wicket hauls and four ten-wicket hauls to his name. 

Shubman Gill, who took over the captaincy of the Indian Test team after Rohit Sharma's retirement from Test cricket, proved with his performance in the current ENG vs IND Test series that the Indian selectors have not made any mistake by betting on him.

Gill not only led the Indian team going through a phase of change, but also left no stone unturned in putting pressure on England despite adverse conditions. Currently the fifth Test match between India and England is going on.

Also Read: Every record Shubman Gill broke during the ENG vs IND, 2nd test at Edgbaston

Gill has also touched new heights in batting as well as captaincy. He scored four centuries on the ENG vs IND series, including a double century. He became the second Indian to score the most runs in a Test series. Now Gill has scored 754 runs on the England tour.

There are many other records Shubman Gill broke in test series. Let's have a look.

ENG vs IND: Every record Shubman Gill broke in test series

• Most Runs For A Visiting Captain In A Test Series: Shubman Gill created the record for scoring most runs (754) by a visiting captain in a Test series.
• Second Most Runs For An Indian Batter In A Test Series: Shubman Gill created the record of scoring second most runs (774) for an Indian batter in a Test series after legendary Sunil Gavaskar.
• Most Runs By An Indian Batter In A Single Test Match: During the second Test match against England, Gill created history by becoming the India batter with most runs (430 - 269 in the first innings and 161 in the second) in a single Test match.
• Second-Most Runs By Any Batter In A Test Match: Gill created record by becoming the batter with second-most runs (430) in a Test match after Graham Gooch's 456.
• First Batter To Score A Double Century And A 150+ In Same Test: During the ENG vs IND second Test match, Shubman Gill became the first cricketer in 148 years of Test history to score a double century (269) and a 150+ score (161) in the same Test match.
• Highest Individual Score By An India Captain In Tests: Shubman Gill's 269 in the first innings of the second Test at Edgbaston is the highest individual score by an Indian captain in Test cricket. Gill surpassed Virat Kohli's unbeaten 254 against South Africa in 2019. 
• First Captain To Hit 4 Centuries In A Away Test Series: Gill became the first captain to score four centuries in a Test series away from home, surpassing Don Bradman and Sunil Gavaskar, who achieved this milestone at home.
• Fifth Player To Score Double Centuries In Both Tests And ODIs: Gill became the fifth player to score double centuries in both Test and ODI cricket.
• Most Runs By An Indian Captain In A Debut Test Series: Gill's 754 runs in the series surpassed Virat Kohli’s 449 runs (2014-15 vs. Australia) as the highest by an Indian captain in their debut Test series.
• Second-Most Runs By A Captain In A Test Series:  Shubman Gill became the captain with second-most runs (754) in a Test series after Sir Don Bradman, who scored 810 runs during 1936/37 Ashes.
• First Indian Captain To Win A Test Match In Edgbaston: Shubman Gill became the first India captain (also Asian) to win a Test match at Edgbaston.
• Most Runs By An Asian Batter In A Test Series Played In England: Shubman Gill breaks Mohammad Yousuf’s record of scoring the most runs (631) by an Asian batter in a Test series played in England.