UPSC Prelims 2007 Q39: Current Affairs – Cricket
Who among the following bowlers have taken more than 500 wickets in Test cricket?
1. Wasim Akram
2. Richard Hadlee
3. Glenn McGrath
4. Courtney Walsh
Select the correct answer
using the code given below:
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 3 and 4 only
- (c) 1, 2 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (b) 3 and 4 only
Explanation
Bowlers with 500+ Test wickets (as of 2006)
| Bowler | Test wickets (career) | 500+? |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Wasim Akram | 414 | No |
| 2. Richard Hadlee | 431 | No |
| 3. Glenn McGrath | 563 | Yes |
| 4. Courtney Walsh | 519 | Yes |
Only bowlers 3 and 4 (McGrath and Walsh) took more than 500 Test wickets; Akram and Hadlee, though legendary, fell short of the milestone.
Answer: (b) 3 and 4 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Neither Wasim Akram (414) nor Richard Hadlee (431) reached 500 wickets.
- (b) CORRECT. Only Glenn McGrath (563) and Courtney Walsh (519) crossed 500 Test wickets.
- (c) Incorrect. Richard Hadlee's 431 wickets fall short of 500.
- (d) Incorrect. Wasim Akram's 414 wickets also fall short of 500.
Key point
Only Glenn McGrath (563) and Courtney Walsh (519) among these four bowlers took 500+ Test wickets; Akram (414) and Hadlee (431) fell short.
Remember
500+ Test wickets (2006): McGrath and Walsh only, among Akram/Hadlee/McGrath/Walsh.
Common mistakes
- Assuming all legendary fast bowlers automatically crossed the 500-wicket mark.
- Confusing Wasim Akram's and Richard Hadlee's high but sub-500 wicket tallies with the 500+ club.
- Not knowing the precise wicket counts of each bowler listed.
Exam tip
The 500-Test-wicket club (as of 2006) includes McGrath and Walsh among these four — Akram and Hadlee, though great, fell just short.
Sources
- Wisden Cricketers' Almanack — Test cricket: career bowling records (most wickets)
- ESPNcricinfo — Statsguru: Test bowling records, career wickets