Cricket fans have been lucky to witness many great spinners over the years, from Australia’s Bill O’Reilly and Richie Benaud to India’s Anil Kumble and Pakistan’s Saqlain Mushtaq. While spin bowling may not seem as exciting as fast bowling, a battle between a skilled spinner and a strong player of spin is always a delight.
When discussing the greatest spin bowler, the debate usually comes down to Shane Warne vs Muttiah Muralitharan. Both were incredible match-winners, but let’s see if stats can help us decide who’s the best.
Overall Test Record
Both Warne and Muralitharan were dominant in Test cricket, with Muralitharan claiming more wickets despite playing fewer matches. Muralitharan’s average and strike rate are slightly better than Warne’s, making him more efficient overall.
| Player | Matches | Wickets | Average | Strike-rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shane Warne | 145 | 708 | 25.41 | 57.4 |
| Muttiah Muralitharan | 133 | 800 | 22.72 | 55 |
Muralitharan has a clear edge here, with a lower bowling average and quicker strike rate, indicating his ability to take wickets more often and with fewer deliveries.
ODI Cricket Record
Muralitharan’s record in One Day Internationals (ODIs) is significantly better than Warne’s. He played almost double the number of matches and took far more wickets, with a better average and strike rate.
| Player | Matches | Wickets | Average | Strike-rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shane Warne | 194 | 293 | 25.73 | 36.3 |
| Muttiah Muralitharan | 350 | 534 | 23.08 | 35.2 |
Despite Warne’s significant contributions in ODIs, Muralitharan clearly had a longer and more successful career in the shorter format.
Test Record in Matches Won
Both bowlers played key roles in their teams’ victories. Muralitharan has an astonishing average and strike rate in matches won, showing how vital he was for Sri Lanka’s success.
| Player | Matches Won | Wickets | Average | Strike-rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shane Warne | 92 | 510 | 22.47 | 51.2 |
| Muttiah Muralitharan | 54 | 438 | 16.18 | 42.7 |
Muralitharan’s average of just 16.18 in matches his team won underlines his unmatched ability to deliver in winning causes.
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Test Record in and Outside the Subcontinent
Subcontinental conditions favor spin bowlers, and both Warne and Muralitharan had different levels of success inside and outside this region. Muralitharan was more dominant in the subcontinent, while Warne was more balanced in all conditions.
| Region | Player | Matches | Wickets | Average | Strike-rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In subcontinent | Shane Warne | 25 | 127 | 26.81 | 52.6 |
| Muttiah Muralitharan | 97 | 612 | 21.69 | 53.2 | |
| Outside subcontinent | Shane Warne | 120 | 581 | 25.11 | 58.5 |
| Muttiah Muralitharan | 36 | 188 | 26.08 | 61 |
Muralitharan’s dominance in the subcontinent is evident, while Warne performed consistently across all conditions, with only slight variations in averages.
5 Wicket Hauls in Tests and ODIs
The number of 5-wicket hauls a bowler takes is an indicator of their match-winning capabilities. Muralitharan comfortably outshines Warne in this department, with more 5-wicket hauls in both Tests and ODIs.
| Player | Tests | ODIs | 5-wicket Hauls in Tests | 10-wicket Hauls in Tests | 5-wicket Hauls in ODIs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shane Warne | 145 | 194 | 37 | 10 | 1 |
| Muttiah Muralitharan | 133 | 350 | 67 | 22 | 10 |
Muralitharan’s 67 five-wicket hauls in Tests, and 10 in ODIs, demonstrate his match-winning ability in both formats.
Performance Against Top Test-Playing Nations
Facing top teams like England, India, and South Africa is a true test for any bowler. Warne struggled a bit against India, while Muralitharan maintained more consistency across strong teams.
| Opposition | Player | Matches | Wickets | Average | Strike-rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | Shane Warne | 36 | 195 | 23.25 | 55.1 |
| India | Shane Warne | 14 | 43 | 47.18 | 91.2 |
| South Africa | Shane Warne | 24 | 130 | 24.16 | 60.9 |
| Australia | Muttiah Muralitharan | 13 | 59 | 36.06 | 69.7 |
| England | Muttiah Muralitharan | 16 | 112 | 20.06 | 59 |
| India | Muttiah Muralitharan | 22 | 105 | 32.61 | 66.8 |
| South Africa | Muttiah Muralitharan | 15 | 104 | 22.22 | 56.8 |
Warne’s high average against India stands out, while Muralitharan’s consistency against top teams, especially England and South Africa, is notable.
Performance Against Test Match Minnows
Both Warne and Muralitharan performed exceptionally well against weaker Test nations, as expected. However, Muralitharan was even more dominant, especially against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
| Opposition | Player | Matches | Wickets | Average | Strike-rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh | Shane Warne | 2 | 11 | 27.27 | 47.6 |
| Zimbabwe | Shane Warne | 1 | 6 | 22.83 | 53.1 |
| Bangladesh | Muttiah Muralitharan | 11 | 89 | 13.37 | 30.4 |
| Zimbabwe | Muttiah Muralitharan | 14 | 87 | 16.86 | 54.2 |
Muralitharan’s dominance against minnows is evident, with significantly lower averages and strike rates, making him incredibly difficult to play against for these teams.
In summary, while Shane Warne was a well rounded bowler, excelling in various conditions and formats, Muttiah Muralitharan’s numbers indicate greater consistency and dominance, especially in Tests and ODIs. Each bowler had their strengths, making them both legends of the game.
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