The third and final match of the ongoing Test series between South Africa and Australia began on Tuesday, October 27, at Newlands, Cape Town. On the first day of the match, Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood achieved a significant milestone in the history of Test cricket. Australia won the toss and elected to bowl, and Josh Hazlewood claimed his 312th Test wicket by dismissing South African opener Aiden Markram (78).
Josh Hazlewood achieved a significant milestone in the history of Test cricket
With this wicket, he has surpassed former Indian fast bowlers Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma—both of whom took 311 wickets in the format—on the all-time list of leading wicket-takers in Test cricket. Hazlewood has now moved into 35th place on the all-time list of highest wicket-takers in Test cricket history.
It is worth noting that Ishant Sharma played 105 Test matches for the Indian team between 2007 and 2021. During this period, he took 311 wickets at an average of 32.40 and an economy rate of 3.15. Ishant also recorded 11 five-wicket hauls and 10 four-wicket hauls.
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Meanwhile, Zaheer Khan played 92 Test matches for India between 2000 and 2014, taking 311 wickets at an average of 32.94 and an economy rate of 3.27. During his career, Zaheer claimed 11 five-wicket hauls and 14 four-wicket hauls, with his best bowling figures being 7/87.
In contrast, it took Josh Hazlewood only 81 matches to surpass both of these stalwarts. Between 2014 and 2026, Josh Hazlewood took 312 wickets in the 81 Test matches he played for Australia. Throughout his Test career, he maintained a bowling average of 23.91 and an economy rate of 2.78. Additionally, he recorded 11 five-wicket hauls and 15 four-wicket hauls. His best performance in Test cricket was taking 6 wickets for 49 runs.
