Who has the quickest 50 wickets?
Vernon Philander took his first 50 wickets in seven Tests. Sydney Barnes and Muttiah Muralitharan took batches of 50 in fewer games

Muttiah Muralitharan took ten wickets at Edgbaston, the start of his hot streak in 2006 • Getty Images
Player | Start Date | End Date | Mat | Balls | Wkts | List |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
13/57, 5/48, 10/105, 17/159, 8/128 | ||||||
SF Barnes (Eng) | Aug 19, 1912 | Feb 18, 1914 | 5 | 1542 | 54 | 5/48, 10/105, 17/159, 8/128, 14/144 |
M Muralitharan (SL) | May 25, 2006 | Dec 9, 2006 | 5 | 1856 | 50 | 10/115, 11/132, 10/172, 12/225, 7/99 |
M Muralitharan (SL) | Jun 2, 2006 | Dec 18, 2006 | 5 | 1910 | 50 | 11/132, 10/172, 12/225, 7/99, 10/118 |
SF Barnes (Eng) | Jul 8, 1912 | Dec 30, 1913 | 6 | 1333 | 55 | 10/115, DNB, 13/57, 5/48, 10/105, 17/159 |
GA Lohmann (Eng) | Jan 29, 1892 | Jun 24, 1896 | 6 | 1413 | 52 | 10/142, 4/54, 15/45, 12/71, 8/87, 3/52 |
Waqar Younis (Pak) | Jan 2, 1993 | Dec 14, 1993 | 6 | 1418 | 50 | 9/81, 6/125, 4/132, 9/127, 13/135, 9/138 |
GA Lohmann (Eng) | Jan 1, 1892 | Mar 23, 1896 | 6 | 1650 | 51 | 2/93, 10/142, 4/54, 15/45, 12/71, 8/87 |
CTB Turner (Aus) | Jan 28, 1887 | Aug 31, 1888 | 6 | 1727 | 50 | 8/68, 9/93, 12/87, 10/63, 6/112, 5/86 |
M Muralitharan (SL) | Aug 4, 2006 | Jul 14, 2007 | 6 | 1727 | 55 | 12/225, 7/99, 10/118, 9/102, 5/98, 12/82 |
M Muralitharan (SL) | Jul 27, 2006 | Jul 5, 2007 | 6 | 2006 | 53 | 10/172, 12/225, 7/99, 10/118, 9/102, 5/98 |
M Muralitharan (SL) | Apr 3, 2006 | Aug 8, 2006 | 6 | 2034 | 51 | 5/85, 3/158, 10/115, 11/132, 10/172, 12/225 |
JC Laker (Eng) | Aug 13, 1955 | Aug 28, 1956 | 6 | 2067 | 53 | 7/84, 6/87, 3/64, 11/113, 19/90, 7/88 |
M Muralitharan (SL) | Jun 2, 2006 | Jun 28, 2007 | 6 | 2172 | 59 | 11/132, 10/172, 12/225, 7/99, 10/118, 9/102 |
T Richardson (Eng) | Dec 29, 1894 | Jul 18, 1896 | 6 | 2195 | 50 | 7/157, 8/164, 2/78, 9/242, 11/173, 13/244 |
M Muralitharan (SL) | Aug 14, 2001 | Nov 25, 2001 | 6 | 2204 | 54 | 8/90, 4/158, 11/196, 10/111, 11/170, 10/135 |
M Muralitharan (SL) | Mar 27, 1998 | Sep 11, 1999 | 6 | 2243 | 50 | 8/157, 9/227, 3/57, 7/90, 16/220, 7/128 |
M Muralitharan (SL) | Sep 6, 2001 | Jan 7, 2002 | 6 | 2349 | 55 | 10/111, 11/170, 10/135, 3/231, 8/88, 13/115 |
M Muralitharan (SL) | Nov 21, 2001 | Mar 10, 2002 | 6 | 2368 | 51 | 10/135, 3/231, 8/88, 13/115, 9/91, 8/127 |
M Muralitharan (SL) | Jun 27, 2003 | Mar 20, 2004 | 6 | 2408 | 50 | 4/71, 11/93, 8/124, 7/103, 11/212, 9/221 |
M Muralitharan (SL) | Dec 10, 2003 | May 8, 2004 | 6 | 2434 | 51 | 8/124, 7/103, 11/212, 9/221, 8/216, 8/82 |
M Muralitharan (SL) | Aug 29, 2001 | Dec 31, 2001 | 6 | 2435 | 53 | 11/196, 10/111, 11/170, 10/135, 3/231, 8/88 |
M Muralitharan (SL) | Mar 19, 1998 | Aug 31, 1998 | 6 | 2452 | 51 | 8/243, 8/157, 9/227, 3/57, 7/90, 16/220 |
M Muralitharan (SL) | Nov 13, 2001 | Jan 15, 2002 | 6 | 2525 | 54 | 11/170, 10/135, 3/231, 8/88, 13/115, 9/91 |
CV Grimmett (Aus) | Aug 18, 1934 | Mar 3, 1936 | 6 | 2533 | 52 | 8/167, 5/131, 6/140, 10/88, 10/110, 13/173 |
M Muralitharan (SL) | Dec 2, 2003 | Mar 28, 2004 | 6 | 2645 | 54 | 11/93, 8/124, 7/103, 11/212, 9/221, 8/216 |
Abdul Qadir (Pak) | Aug 6, 1987 | Apr 19, 1988 | 6 | 2688 | 52 | 10/211, 13/101, 7/150, 10/186, 4/157, 8/231 |
Player | Start Date | End Date | Mat | Inns | Runs | HS | Ave | 100 | 50 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DG Bradman (Aus) | Jul 20, 1934 | Dec 4, 1946 | 12 | 19 | 2056 | 304 | 120.94 | 9 | 3 |
Mohammad Yousuf (Pak) | Nov 29, 2005 | Dec 1, 2006 | 12 | 20 | 2011 | 223 | 105.84 | 10 | 3 |
DG Bradman (Aus) | Jun 27, 1930 | Feb 2, 1932 | 13 | 16 | 2088 | 334 | 139.20 | 9 | 0 |
DG Bradman (Aus) | Jul 20, 1934 | Dec 19, 1946 | 13 | 20 | 2290 | 304 | 127.22 | 10 | 3 |
DG Bradman (Aus) | Aug 18, 1934 | Jan 7, 1947 | 13 | 21 | 2114 | 270 | 111.26 | 9 | 4 |
Mohammad Yousuf (Pak) | Nov 29, 2005 | Jan 22, 2007 | 13 | 22 | 2061 | 223 | 98.14 | 10 | 3 |
DG Bradman (Aus) | Feb 23, 1933 | Jun 28, 1938 | 13 | 23 | 2002 | 304 | 95.33 | 7 | 4 |
DG Bradman (Aus) | Jun 8, 1934 | Jul 25, 1938 | 13 | 23 | 2002 | 304 | 95.33 | 8 | 3 |
DG Bradman (Aus) | Jun 27, 1930 | Feb 15, 1932 | 14 | 16 | 2088 | 334 | 139.20 | 9 | 0 |
DG Bradman (Aus) | Feb 1, 1929 | Dec 21, 1931 | 14 | 19 | 2017 | 334 | 112.05 | 9 | 1 |
DG Bradman (Aus) | Mar 8, 1929 | Jan 6, 1932 | 14 | 19 | 2088 | 334 | 116.00 | 10 | 0 |
DG Bradman (Aus) | Dec 29, 1928 | Dec 3, 1931 | 14 | 20 | 2096 | 334 | 110.31 | 9 | 2 |
DG Bradman (Aus) | Jan 1, 1937 | Dec 18, 1947 | 14 | 21 | 2002 | 270 | 111.22 | 9 | 4 |
DG Bradman (Aus) | Dec 18, 1936 | Dec 4, 1947 | 14 | 22 | 2071 | 270 | 109.00 | 9 | 5 |
DG Bradman (Aus) | Jun 8, 1934 | Aug 24, 1938 | 14 | 23 | 2002 | 304 | 95.33 | 8 | 3 |
DG Bradman (Aus) | Aug 18, 1934 | Feb 6, 1947 | 14 | 23 | 2170 | 270 | 108.50 | 9 | 5 |
Mohammad Yousuf (Pak) | Nov 29, 2005 | Jan 28, 2007 | 14 | 24 | 2162 | 223 | 94.00 | 10 | 4 |
KC Sangakkara (SL) | Mar 26, 2006 | Dec 5, 2007 | 14 | 24 | 2048 | 287 | 102.40 | 8 | 5 |
DG Bradman (Aus) | Jan 13, 1933 | Jun 14, 1938 | 14 | 25 | 2056 | 304 | 85.66 | 6 | 6 |
Mohammad Yousuf (Pak) | Jan 13, 2006 | Oct 12, 2007 | 14 | 25 | 2027 | 202 | 88.13 | 9 | 5 |
GA Gooch (Eng) | Jul 5, 1990 | Aug 27, 1991 | 14 | 27 | 2054 | 333 | 79.00 | 7 | 8 |
G Gambhir (India) | Jul 23, 2008 | Jan 21, 2010 | 14 | 27 | 2000 | 206 | 76.92 | 8 | 7 |
Player | Start Date | End Date | Mat | Inns | Runs | HS | Ave | 100 | 50 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HM Amla (SA) | Jan 23, 2009 | Mar 12, 2011 | 34 | 34 | 2009 | 129 | 64.80 | 7 | 12 |
HM Amla (SA) | Jan 26, 2009 | Mar 15, 2011 | 34 | 34 | 2014 | 129 | 64.96 | 7 | 12 |
AB de Villiers (SA) | Nov 27, 2009 | Feb 25, 2012 | 34 | 34 | 2009 | 134 | 77.26 | 10 | 8 |
HM Amla (SA) | Nov 2, 2008 | Jan 23, 2011 | 35 | 35 | 2041 | 140 | 63.78 | 7 | 12 |
HM Amla (SA) | Nov 9, 2008 | Mar 3, 2011 | 35 | 35 | 2055 | 140 | 64.21 | 8 | 11 |
HM Amla (SA) | Jan 26, 2009 | Mar 19, 2011 | 35 | 35 | 2065 | 129 | 64.53 | 7 | 13 |
HM Amla (SA) | Nov 8, 2009 | Jan 11, 2012 | 35 | 35 | 2036 | 129 | 61.69 | 8 | 12 |
HM Amla (SA) | Nov 22, 2009 | Jan 14, 2012 | 35 | 35 | 2011 | 129 | 60.93 | 8 | 12 |
AB de Villiers (SA) | Nov 27, 2009 | Feb 29, 2012 | 35 | 35 | 2040 | 134 | 78.46 | 10 | 8 |
HM Amla (SA) | Feb 24, 2010 | Mar 3, 2012 | 35 | 35 | 2033 | 129 | 61.60 | 8 | 12 |
HM Amla (SA) | Nov 2, 2008 | Feb 24, 2011 | 36 | 36 | 2055 | 140 | 62.27 | 7 | 12 |
HM Amla (SA) | Nov 9, 2008 | Mar 6, 2011 | 36 | 36 | 2097 | 140 | 63.54 | 8 | 11 |
HM Amla (SA) | Jan 26, 2009 | Mar 25, 2011 | 36 | 36 | 2072 | 129 | 62.78 | 7 | 13 |
HM Amla (SA) | Jan 30, 2009 | Oct 19, 2011 | 36 | 36 | 2016 | 129 | 59.29 | 7 | 12 |
HM Amla (SA) | Nov 22, 2009 | Feb 25, 2012 | 36 | 36 | 2019 | 129 | 59.38 | 8 | 12 |
HM Amla (SA) | Nov 27, 2009 | Feb 29, 2012 | 36 | 36 | 2054 | 129 | 60.41 | 8 | 12 |
AB de Villiers (SA) | Nov 27, 2009 | Mar 3, 2012 | 36 | 36 | 2049 | 134 | 78.80 | 10 | 8 |
BC Lara (WI) | Nov 7, 1994 | Jan 12, 1997 | 37 | 36 | 2016 | 169 | 67.20 | 7 | 10 |
HM Amla (SA) | Jan 30, 2009 | Oct 23, 2011 | 37 | 37 | 2016 | 129 | 57.60 | 7 | 12 |
Player | Start Date | End Date | Mat | Balls | Wkts | BBI | Ave | SR | 4 | 5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saqlain Mushtaq (Pak) | Sep 1, 1996 | Sep 14, 1997 | 46 | 2447 | 100 | 5/29 | 16.50 | 24.47 | 4 | 4 |
Saqlain Mushtaq (Pak) | Aug 31, 1996 | Sep 13, 1997 | 46 | 2459 | 100 | 5/29 | 16.85 | 24.59 | 4 | 4 |
AA Donald (SA) | Jan 9, 1996 | Jan 23, 1998 | 46 | 2544 | 100 | 6/23 | 17.71 | 25.44 | 6 | 1 |
Saqlain Mushtaq (Pak) | Sep 1, 1996 | Sep 17, 1997 | 47 | 2447 | 100 | 5/29 | 16.50 | 24.47 | 4 | 4 |
AA Donald (SA) | Jan 9, 1996 | Jan 26, 1998 | 47 | 2562 | 100 | 6/23 | 17.88 | 25.62 | 6 | 1 |
Saqlain Mushtaq (Pak) | Sep 18, 1996 | Sep 28, 1997 | 48 | 2495 | 101 | 5/29 | 16.63 | 24.70 | 4 | 4 |
Saqlain Mushtaq (Pak) | Sep 17, 1996 | Sep 21, 1997 | 48 | 2501 | 100 | 5/29 | 17.06 | 25.01 | 4 | 4 |
Saqlain Mushtaq (Pak) | Apr 4, 1997 | Apr 7, 1999 | 48 | 2502 | 100 | 5/38 | 18.14 | 25.02 | 5 | 2 |
Saqlain Mushtaq (Pak) | Sep 1, 1996 | Sep 18, 1997 | 48 | 2507 | 101 | 5/29 | 16.81 | 24.82 | 4 | 4 |
AA Donald (SA) | Jan 9, 1996 | Apr 17, 1998 | 48 | 2610 | 101 | 6/23 | 17.92 | 25.84 | 6 | 1 |
Travis Basevi is a cricket statistician and UK Senior Programmer for ESPNcricinfo and other ESPN sports websites. George Binoy is an Assistant Editor at ESPNcricinfo