Achieving 400 Test wickets is a rare and remarkable feat in cricket, but doing so in the fewest number of balls bowled highlights not just longevity but also striking efficiency. Here are the top two fastest to reach the milestone by balls delivered:
- Dale Steyn: South African pace legend Dale Steyn became the first bowler to reach 400 Test wickets in the fewest deliveries, achieving the milestone in just 16,634 balls, a record for the fastest to 400 wickets by balls bowled in the history of Test cricket. Steyn achieved this feat in his 80th Test match during the 2015 series against Bangladesh, with his 400th score being Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal. He stands well clear of other greats in terms of speed to the milestone. Steyn’s record underscores his exceptional strike rate and dominance as a fast bowler during his era.
- Mitchell Starc: Mitchell Starc stamped his name in cricket history by becoming the second fastest bowler, in terms of balls bowled, to reach 400 Test wickets. Achieving this milestone in his 100th Test during the series against West Indies, Starc reached 400 wickets in just 19,062 deliveries, surpassing legends like Richard Hadlee and Glenn McGrath, but trailing South Africa’s Dale Steyn, who required only 16,634 balls for the feat. Starc’s achievement underscores his status as one of the best fast bowlers, and he remains only the fourth Australian to reach 400 Test wickets.
Also Read: Highest Score by India Captains in Men’s Test Cricket
And there you have it, the elite list of bowlers who blazed their way to 400 Test wickets in record time. Who will be the next player to join in this feat? Until then, keep celebrating the magic of red-ball greats, where every delivery tells a story and every wicket inspires a generation.
