The Ashes 2023: Most wickets in an Ashes series

Many consider the Ashes series between England and Australia to be the pinnacle of Test cricket. It is a true test of a player’s character, skill, and commitment.

Both batsmen and bowlers are under enormous pressure to succeed for their respective countries in this series, with the entire world watching with bated breath.

While some players rise to the occasion and flourish by seizing the bull by the horns, others collapse under the weight of expectation that comes with the Ashes.

It is the series where heroes are born, and their outstanding performances cement their place in cricket history.

While batsmen get the most attention for their hitting performances, it is the bowlers who actually win matches.

Some bowlers have distinguished themselves with their bowling excellence in the Ashes series by claiming, and here we look at those people who shone brightest for their sides with the ball by claiming the most wickets in an Ashes series.

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Most wickets in an Ashes series

Player	Series	Matches	Wickets	Average	Economy
Jim Laker (England)	1956	5	46	9.60	1.55
Terry Alderman (Australia)	1981	6	42	21.26	2.74
Rodney Hogg (Australia)	1978-79	6	42	12.85	1.81
Terry Alderman (Australia)	1989	6	41	17.36	2.64
Shane Warne (Australia)	2005	5	40	19.92	3.15
Alec Bedser (England)	1953	5	39	17.48	2.57
Dennis Lillee (Australia)	1981	6	39	22.30	2.79
Maurice Tate (England)	1924-25	5	38	23.18	2.09
Mitchell Johnson (Australia)	2013-14	5	37	13.97	2.74
Glenn McGrath (Australia)	1997	6	36	19.47	2.80

 

Jim Laker – 46 wickets in 1956

Jim Laker holds the record for most wickets in an Ashes series. During the 1956 Ashes series, the England off-break bowler captured 46 wickets in five matches at an astounding average of 9.60. During the fourth Test of the series in Manchester, he became the first bowler in history to record ten wickets in an innings. In the same game, he finished with the best numbers in an Ashes Test, recording figures of 19/90. His heroics aided England’s 2-1 victory in the series.

Terry Alderman – 42 wickets in 1981

Terry Alderman of Australia enjoyed bowling against England and has the second most wickets in an ashes series of any bowler. In the 1981 series, England won, he took 42 wickets at an average of 21.26 in six games. Alderman took two four-fers and four five-fers in this series, and he was Australia’s go-to bowler throughout. In the third Test, he grabbed 6/135 in the second innings, his best numbers in this series. His efforts, however, were unable to avert an English victory. Later in his career, Alderman would take 41 wickets in the 1989 Ashes series.

Rodney Hogg – 41 wickets in 1978-79

Rodney Hogg’s 41 wickets for Australia in the 1978-79 Ashes series are tied for third most by a bowler. He got his 41 scalps in six matches at a 12.85 average. Hogg went on to record 10 wickets in a match twice during the series, in addition to two four-fers and five five-fers. Hogg’s best numbers of 6/74 came in the first Test of the series, which England won to launch their way to a 5-1 series victory.

Also Read: The Ashes Trophy: Know its size, history and what’s written on it (cricfiles.com)