Two exceptionally talented spinners of modern cricket—Ravichandran Ashwin and Nathan Lyon—fought a fierce battle to emerge as the highest Test wicket-taker of the year. It was Lyon who eventually came out on top with his spectacular bowling throughout 2023. The Australian capped off the year with 47 wickets from 10 Test matches. In 2023, Lyon also became the eighth bowler and the third Australian to claim 500 Test wickets. He achieved this remarkable feat during the opening Test against Pakistan in Perth in December. Lyon’s economy rate in Tests this year has also been an impressive 2.93. Meanwhile Cummins pipped Ashwin on the final Test of the year with a 10-wicket haul.
Let us take a look at the top Test wicket-takers of 2023:
Nathan Lyon
The spin magician has emerged as the highest Test wicket-taker of 2023 having earned 47 scalps in 10 matches. Lyon scripted his best Test bowling figures of the year against India in March. He had claimed eight wickets, giving away 64 runs in the second innings of that fixture in Indore.
Pat Cummins
The Australia captain claimed 10 wickets in the last Test of the year. He ended up 2023 with 42 scalps in his kitty. He claimed three five-wicket haul this year and played a pivotal role in his team’s success.
Ravichandran Ashwin
India’s Ravichandran Ashwin finished third by picking up 41 Test wickets in 2023. The Indian spinner played in seven Tests this year and registered an economy rate of 2.53.
Stuart Broad
England’s Stuart Broad is the third-highest Test wicket-taker of the year. Broad finds himself just three wickets behind Ravichandran Ashwin and Pat Cummins on this exclusive list of bowlers. Overall, Broad represented England in eight matches in a year which he bid adieu to Test cricket.
Mitchell Starc
The left-arm speedster capped off 2023 with 36 Test wickets under his belt. Starc’s brilliance with the ball also helped him secure the most expensive contract in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Kolkata Knight Riders shelled out Rs 24.75 crore to acquire the services of Starc.
Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja is at number five having earned 33 Test dismissals in 2023. Overall, India’s star all-rounder featured in seven Tests this year.
Prabath Jayasuriya
Sri Lanka’s Prabath Jayasuriya had a brilliant Test campaign in 2023. The 32-year-old left-arm spinner is the sixth-highest Test wicket-taker with 30 scalps under his belt.
Josh Hazlewood
Another Australian finds a mention on this list and this time it is Josh Hazlewood. The right-arm fast bowler claimed 27 wickets.
Taijul Islam
Bangladesh’s Taijul Islam occupies the eighth position having secured 26 Test wickets. The left-arm spinner had two five-wicket hauls.
Tim Southee
Tim Southee is the only Kiwi cricketer on the list of top-10 Test wicket-takers of 2023. Southee claimed 24 wickets.
Gudakesh Motie
This elite of bowlers ends with West Indies spinner Gudakesh Motie. The 28-year-old earned 22 Test dismissals at an economy rate of 3.16.
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