Top 10 Bowlers Who Are the Fastest to 200 Wickets in Tests

In Test cricket, taking 200 wickets is a huge achievement for any bowler. But some legends did it not only with great skill but also in the shortest time possible. These bowlers reached the 200-wicket milestone faster than anyone else and left their mark in the history of the game. Here, we bring you the list of the Fastest to 200 Wickets in Tests with complete details in simple English for everyone to understand.

List of Top 10 Bowlers Who Are the Fastest to 200 Wickets in Tests

10. Shane Warne (Australia)

Shane Warne, the legendary leg-spinner from Australia, was not just a bowler; he was a magician. Warne’s ability to spin the ball on any surface and outfox batters with flight, turn, and variation made him one of the most feared bowlers in the world. He reached the 200-wicket mark in just 42 matches, showing how impactful he was even in the early stages of his career.

This entry in the list of Fastest to 200 wickets in Tests proves why Warne was a once-in-a-generation talent.

Player	Country	Opposition	Debut	200th Wicket	Matches Taken
Shane Warne	Australia	Sri Lanka	2 Jan 1992	8 Dec 1995	42

9. Malcolm Marshall (West Indies)

Malcolm Marshall was known for his deadly pace, swing, and aggressive attitude. Representing the great West Indies pace battery of the 1980s, he terrorized batters with both new and old balls. Marshall completed 200 wickets in 42 matches, joining the elite list of the Fastest to 200 wickets in Tests.

He remains one of the most complete fast bowlers in Test history.

Player	Country	Opposition	Debut	200th Wicket	Matches Taken
Malcolm Marshall	West Indies	England	15 Dec 1978	7 Mar 1986	42

8. Stuart MacGill (Australia)

Often overshadowed by Shane Warne, Stuart MacGill was an incredible leg-spinner in his own right. His turn and bounce were difficult to handle, and despite playing fewer matches, he consistently picked wickets. He reached 200 Test wickets in just 41 games, earning him a spot among the Fastest to 200 wickets in Tests.

His numbers are a testament to his underrated brilliance.

Player	Country	Opposition	Debut	200th Wicket	Matches Taken
Stuart MacGill	Australia	Sri Lanka	30 Jan 1998	8 Nov 2007	41

7. Ian Botham (England)

Ian Botham, one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history, was also a highly effective wicket-taker. His ability to swing the ball and take wickets under pressure made him a threat to every team. Botham completed 200 Test wickets in just 41 matches and earned his place among the Fastest to 200 wickets in Tests.

Botham’s charisma and aggression made him a fan-favorite all over the world.

Player	Country	Opposition	Debut	200th Wicket	Matches Taken
Ian Botham	England	Australia	28 Jul 1977	27 Aug 1981	41

6. Dale Steyn (South Africa)

Dale Steyn is regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of the modern era. With his express pace and lethal outswingers, he demolished batting line-ups across all continents. Steyn reached the 200-wicket mark in just 39 Tests, making him a proud member of the Fastest to 200 wickets in Tests club.

Steyn’s fiery bowling brought excitement back into fast bowling.

Player	Country	Opposition	Debut	200th Wicket	Matches Taken
Dale Steyn	South Africa	West Indies	17 Dec 2004	10 Jun 2010	39

5. Waqar Younis (Pakistan)

Waqar Younis was known for his devastating toe-crushing yorkers and lethal reverse swing. He could turn a match with a single spell. It took him only 38 matches to reach 200 wickets, proving why he is one of the Fastest to 200 wickets in Tests and a Pakistani legend.

Waqar’s bowling was poetry in motion, especially in the latter overs.

Player	Country	Opposition	Debut	200th Wicket	Matches Taken
Waqar Younis	Pakistan	New Zealand	15 Nov 1989	8 Dec 1995	38

4. Dennis Lillee (Australia)

Dennis Lillee was the face of aggressive fast bowling in the 1970s and early 1980s. His fiery pace, attitude, and ability to take wickets under pressure made him a match-winner. He got to 200 wickets in 38 matches and is remembered for being among the Fastest to 200 wickets in Tests.

Lillee was a bowler who never gave up and loved a good fight on the field.

Player	Country	Opposition	Debut	200th Wicket	Matches Taken
Dennis Lillee	Australia	England	29 Jan 1971	1 Feb 1980	38

3. Ravichandran Ashwin (India)

Ashwin is India’s premier off-spinner and one of the most intelligent cricketers of his era. With clever variations, sharp spin, and strategic mind games, Ashwin reached 200 wickets in just 37 matches. His spot among the Fastest to 200 wickets in Tests is well-earned.

Ashwin continues to dominate, especially in subcontinent conditions.

Player	Country	Opposition	Debut	200th Wicket	Matches Taken
R Ashwin	India	New Zealand	6 Nov 2011	22 Sep 2016	37

2. Clarrie Grimmett (Australia)

Clarrie Grimmett was a pioneer of spin bowling in the early 20th century. Even in a time when cricket was evolving, he showed skill, patience, and mastery of flight and spin. He reached 200 wickets in 36 matches, a record that stood unchallenged for decades. He’s truly one of the Fastest to 200 wickets in Tests.

Grimmett’s contribution to spin bowling laid the foundation for future greats.

Player	Country	Opposition	Debut	200th Wicket	Matches Taken
Clarrie Grimmett	Australia	South Africa	27 Feb 1925	15 Feb 1936	36

1. Yasir Shah (Pakistan)

Yasir Shah tops the list of the Fastest to 200 wickets in Tests. This Pakistani leg-spinner took the cricket world by storm with his quick breakthroughs and clever spin. Yasir achieved this milestone in just 33 matches, the quickest in the long history of Test cricket. His control, variations, and ability to bowl long spells make him a special talent.

He remains a true ambassador of leg-spin bowling and has earned his name in cricket’s history books.

Player	Country	Opposition	Debut	200th Wicket	Matches Taken
Yasir Shah	Pakistan	New Zealand	22 Oct 2014	3 Dec 2018	33

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