Top 5 leading wicket takers for South Africa in Test cricket

Top 5 leading wicket takers for South Africa in Test cricket: South Africa has over the period produced, reproduced bowlers one better than the other and no doubt the world looks at South African bowlers with respect. Right from the early days Peter Pollock, Niel Adock, Faniel de Villiers to Alan Donald, Makhaya Ntini they have all threatened batsmen with their fire balls. Even today fast bowling in world cricket is ruled by another South African Dale Steyn. Steyn just yesterday during the test match against West Indies went past Makhaya Ntini’s record of 390 test wickets. Citing the chances of Steyn well taking over from Shaun Pollock the reins of the most successful South African bowler here we have the Top 5 leading wicket takers for South Africa in test cricket. 5. Jacques Kallis 291 Wickets The contribution this man has to South African cricket is unmatchable. (Photo Source: Associated Press) The contribution this man has to South African cricket is unmatchable, be it batting, bowling or slip fielding the country has seen no better player than him. On the emotional moment when he announced his departure from test cricket, fans around the world lovingly named him King Kallis. He does suit to the name every bit, he could have made it to any team in international arena purely as a bowler and for South Africa in the 165 tests that he played picked up 291 wickets and is the fifth leading wicket taker. 4. Alan Donald 330 Wickets The current South African bowling coach has picked up 330 wickets in his test career spanning 72 test matches. (Photo Source: ESPNcricinfo Ltd) The great Alan Donald, the one whose run-up was enough to make the best of international batsmen nervous. Be it bowling at unsettling pace or moving the ball he could do that without much ado for major part of his career. The current South African bowling coach has picked up 330 wickets in his test career spanning 72 test matches. More than the wickets tally his impact on the game is beyond parametric measurements. 3. Makhaya Ntini 390 Wickets Makhaya Ntini has the everlasting images of a broad smiling tall fast bowler.. (Photo Source: Getty Images) Makhaya Ntini has the everlasting images of a broad smiling tall fast bowler. Ntini with the action he had naturally moved the ball into the right handed batsmen, he was neither the quickest nor the best bowler but his determination and hard work got him the 390 test wickets that he achieved in his career spanning 101 tests. Ntini also owns the record for the best match figures by a South African 13 for 132 and is also remembered as the first black African cricketer to feature in international cricket for South Africa. 2. Dale Steyn 393 Wickets In the present scenario it is extremely difficult to find a bowler better than Steyn. (Photo Source : AFP) Dale Steyn is tall; he is well structured and in fact destined to be a fast bowler. The strong shoulders and arms that he sports give him the extra mileage to bowl quicker and with more accuracy than most in world cricket. In the present scenario it is extremely difficult to find a bowler better than Steyn though some could be termed equivalent. His ability to move the ball added with his accuracy and pace has proved to be the most lethal element in his favor as he is writing new success stories in South African cricket history. Just yesterday against the West Indies Steyn went past the second leading wicket takers record by Ntini and is at the 2nd position now with 393 wickets in 73 test matches looks good to become the all-time best shortly. 1. Shaun Pollock 421 Wickets Shaun Pollock with 421 wickets in 108 test matches has been the bar setter in South African cricket.(Photo Source: AFP) Shaun Pollock with 421 wickets in 108 test matches has been the bar setter in South African cricket. The best asset that Shaun had while growing up and as a cricketer has to be his father Peter Pollock who is still remembered as a Legendary South African fast bowler. Walking on the same lane Shaun shaped up as a fast bowler and a reliable batsman as well. For a considerable part he also captained the South African team post the exit of Hansie Cronje. He till today remains to be one of the best legacy carriers and all-rounders in South African cricket history. *All stats updated till 3rd January 2015.