Often hailed as one of the most challenging and popular formats of international cricket, the test cricket format is undoubtedly followed by millions of cricket aficionados from every nook and corner of the world. The glorious and star-studded history of test cricket, which spans over decades, has been witness to numerous path-breaking bowlers, including Muttiah Muralitharan, Noman Ali, Jasprit Bumrah, Mitchell Starc and many others who have proven to be a walking nightmare for the finest batting lineups in the world with their unmatched and lethal bowling attacks.
While a majority of these bowlers have claimed the most crucial wickets with their breakneck deliveries, a few of these trailblazing bowlers have also created history and led their teams to phenomenal test victories with their dot ball deliveries. Have you ever wondered about the top four bowlers with the most dot balls in the test format? Well, let’s find out.
In this article we will take a look at the top four bowlers with the highest number of dot balls as of January 2026.
Top 4 Bowlers With the Most Dot Balls in Test
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James Anderson, England – 31,551 Balls
The legendary former English international cricketer, James Anderson, who represented England across all formats of international cricket from 2002 to 2024, is at the first spot in our list of the top four bowlers who hold the record for the highest number of dot balls in the test formats as of January 2026.
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Widely hailed as one of the most lethal and successful bowlers of all-time, James Anderson played a record total of 188 test matches between 2003 and 2024, picking up a phenomenal total of 704 wickets at an average of 26.5 and an economy rate of 2.79 making him one of the most successful bowlers in the history of the format. Additionally, James Anderson also continues to hold the record for the highest dot ball deliveries as of January 2026, i.e. 31,551.
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Stuart Broad, England – 26,158 Balls
At the second spot in our list of the top four bowlers with the highest number of dot balls as of January 2026, we have the English former international cricketer who represented England from 2007 to 2023 across all formats of international cricket. The legendary former English bowler, Stuart Broad, played a total of 167 test matches throughout his star-studded cricketing career and picked up a total of 604 wickets, making him one of the most successful bowlers of his generation.
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Additionally, Stuart abroad also played a major role in restricting the opponent team and annihilating their run rate with the second-highest number of dot ball deliveries, i.e. 26,158, ranking him at the second spot in our list.
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Nathan Lyon, Australia – 25,739 Balls
Next, at the third spot in our list of the top four bowlers with the highest number of dot balls as of January 2026, we have the trailblazing Australian international cricketer Nathan Michael Lyon, who is often hailed as one of the greatest off spinners of all-time. As of January 2026, Nathan Michael Lyon has played a total of 141 test matches and has picked up a record total of 567 wickets, which continues to be the second-highest total of wickets ever picked up by an international cricketer in the test format as of January 2026.
Also, Nathan Lyon holds the record for delivering the third-highest total of dot balls as of January 2026 i.e. 25,739 balls ranking him at the third spot in our list. The Australian off-spinner Nathan Michael Lyon played his career’s 100th test match against India in January 2021.
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Ravichandran Ashwin, India – 20,376 Balls
Finally, at the fourth spot in our list of the top four bowlers with the highest number of dot balls as of January 2026, we have the legendary Indian international cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest off spinners of all-time. As of January 2026, Ravichandran Ashwin has played a record total of 106 test matches and has successfully picked up a total of 537 wickets at an economy rate of 2.84 and an average of 24.0, speaking volumes about his bowling dominance on the field.
Interestingly, often regarded as the ‘balancing factor’ of the Indian bowling unit, Ravichandran Ashwin has also showcased his unmatched bowling skills and restricted the finest batting lineups from scoring massive totals with his consistent dot deliveries. Throughout his star-studded test career so far, Ravichandran Ashwin has bowled a total of 20,376 dot deliveries, which continues to be the fourth-highest in the world.
