The hallowed turf of The Gabba, the historic grandeur of Lord's, the imposing stands of the MCG – these are the theatres for cricket's most storied and intense rivalry: The Ashes. As we count down to the first ball of the next chapter on 21 November, the air is thick with anticipation.
To fuel the pre-series excitement, we're putting your cricketing knowledge to the ultimate test. Forget the batsmen for a moment; this is a celebration of the destroyers, the artists of deception, the men who have defined modern Ashes contests with leather and willow since 2005.
The period since the legendary 2005 series has been a golden age for fast bowling in this contest, producing spells and spells of sheer brilliance that have swung the tiny urn back and forth across the globe. So, can you name the top Ashes wicket-takers since 2005?
The Unquestionable King: Stuart Broad's Ashes Dominance
Topping the list is a man who seemed to reserve his very best for the old enemy. The retirement of Stuart Broad at the end of the 2023 series marked the end of an era, but his staggering tally of 167 Ashes wickets since 2005 stands as a monumental testament to his skill, longevity, and sheer competitive fire.
Broad's career was a masterclass in evolution. He burst onto the scene as a fiery, hit-the-deck quick, but refined his craft to become one of the most cunning and relentless seam bowlers the game has ever seen. His ability to exploit English conditions, particularly his famed "around-the-wicket" angle to left-handers, became the stuff of nightmares for Australian batters.
Who could forget his spellbinding 8-15 at Trent Bridge in 2015, a performance that ripped the heart out of the Australian batting lineup and secured the urn for England? Reflecting on his career, Broad noted the unique pressure of the fixture, "There's something about the Ashes, it lifts you, it tests you, it defines you. You have to be at your absolute peak, both mentally and physically, for every single ball."
The Relentless Workhorse: James Anderson's Surgical Precision
If Broad was the fiery heart of England's attack, James Anderson has been its metronomically accurate soul. Slotting in just behind his long-time partner is Anderson himself, with a remarkable 157 Ashes wickets in this period.
Anderson's mastery of swing bowling, both conventional and reverse, has made him a threat in all conditions, even on the less responsive Australian pitches where he has worked tirelessly for his rewards. His duel with modern Australian greats, particularly Steve Smith, has been a fascinating subplot of recent series.
While his future involvement is uncertain, his legacy is not. As former Australian captain Ricky Ponting once observed, "Facing Jimmy in England is the ultimate challenge for any batsman. He makes the ball talk in a language only he fully understands."
The Australian Titans: Lyon and Cummins Lead the Charge
The list is not an English monopoly. The leading Australian wicket-taker in this era is the unassuming but utterly indispensable Nathan Lyon. With 121 wickets, 'The GOAT' has been a constant thorn in England's side, providing control, drift, dip, and crucial breakthroughs on pitches that often don't favour spin.
Lyon's importance to the Australian setup cannot be overstated. He has out-bowled his English counterparts on their own soil on multiple tours, a key factor in Australia's overseas successes. His durability and ability to bowl long, pressure-building spells have allowed Australia's formidable pace attack to rotate effectively.
Hot on his heels is the current Australian captain, Pat Cummins. With 102 wickets from fewer matches, Cummins's rise has been meteoric. He combines express pace with a disconcerting bounce and a cricketing brain that has made him one of the most complete fast bowlers in the world.
His leadership has added another dimension to his game, and his performances in the 2021-22 and 2023 series were instrumental in Australia retaining the urn. Commenting on the intensity of an Ashes battle, Cummins has said, "It's ten weeks of absolute war. There's no hiding, no easy sessions. It's what you play for."
Other Notable Hunters
Beyond the top four, the list is a who's who of modern bowling greats. It includes:
- Mitchell Johnson (95 wickets): The author of arguably the most devastating individual series in modern memory in 2013-14, where his raw pace and aggression yielded 37 wickets and shattered English morale.
- Mitchell Starc (89 wickets and counting): The left-arm yorker specialist, capable of blistering spells that can change a match in a single session.
- Graeme Swann (88 wickets): England's premier spinner during their era of dominance, his guile and consistency provided perfect foil for the pacemen.
- Josh Hazlewood (76 wickets): The epitome of line-and-length perfection, whose metronomic accuracy builds unrelenting pressure.
What is striking about this list is the blend of styles. It features out-and-out speed merchants, crafty swing bowlers, a master of spin, and relentless seamers. This diversity highlights the multifaceted nature of bowling and the different skills required to succeed at the highest level.
What Makes a Top-Tier Ashes Bowler?
Accumulating wickets in the Ashes requires more than just skill. The data and history point to several key attributes shared by these elite performers:
- Mental Fortitude: The Ashes pressure is immense. The crowd, the media scrutiny, and the history weigh on every delivery. The ability to handle this and execute under fire is non-negotiable.
- Adaptability: Succeeding in both English seaming conditions and Australian bouncy tracks requires a bowler to constantly adjust their length, line, and plans.
- Longevity and Fitness: Ashes series are a marathon, not a sprint. The likes of Broad, Anderson, and Lyon have maintained world-class standards for over a decade.
- A Killer Instinct: The great Ashes bowlers have a knack for producing a magical delivery or a devastating spell just when their team needs it most.
This is what separates the good from the truly great in the context of this unique rivalry. It's not just about taking wickets; it's about taking them when it matters most.
The Stage is Set for New Legends
As we look ahead to the next series, the question is not just who will add their name to this prestigious list, but who will forge their own legacy. With the retirements of Broad and possibly Anderson, a new generation is ready to step up.
England will look to the express pace of Mark Wood and the developing skills of Josh Tongue, while Australia will rely on the continued excellence of Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood, with Nathan Lyon still spinning his web.
The battle for the Ashes is, and always will be, decided by those who can take twenty wickets. The names of Broad, Anderson, Lyon, and Cummins are already etched in history. The next chapter awaits, and with it, the chance for a new hero to emerge from the cauldron of competition and inscribe their name alongside the greats.