Well, claiming a five-wicket haul in the test format is often hailed as one of the most decorated and commemorated milestones for a majority of international bowlers. While it continues to be a dream for a majority of bowlers to pick a fifer in the test format, a few trailblazing female bowlers have managed to claim the coveted feat more than once in their star-studded international cricketing careers. Have you ever wondered about the top four female bowlers who claimed the highest number of five-wicket hails in the test format as of May 2026? Well, let’s find out.
In this article we will take a look at the top four female bowlers with the most five-wicket hauls in the test format as of May 2026.
Top 4 Female Bowlers With Most Five-Wicket Hauls in Test
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Shubhangi Kulkarni, India
The legendary Indian former international cricketer Shubhangi Kulkarni is at the first spot on our list of the top four female bowlers who have the highest number of five-wicket hauls in the test format. Widely hailed as one of the most destructive leg-spinners in the history of the game, Shubhangi Kulkarni represented India across all formats of international cricket from 1976 to 1991 and played a record total of nineteen test matches throughout her glorious career.
The iconic Indian bowling sensation, Shubhangi Kulkarni claimed a record total of five fifers in her career, ranking her at the first spot on our list. Overall, Kulkarni claimed a phenomenal total of 60 test wickets in her career at a blistering average of 27.45.
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Marry Duggan, England
At the second spot on our list of the top four female bowlers with the most five-wicket hauls in the test format as of May 2026, we have the trailblazing English former international cricketer Marry Duggan who played for England as all-rounder between 1949 and 1963.
Widely regarded as one of the most lethal bowlers of her generation, Marry Duggan played a record total of seventeen test matches throughout her career and picked up an annihilating total of 77 wickets at an exceptional and highly impressive bowling average of 13.49. Also, the English bowling sensation Marry Duggan claimed five fifers, ranking her at the second spot on our list.
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Betty Wilson, Australia
Next, at the third spot on our list of the top four female bowlers who have the highest number of five-wicket hauls in the test format, we have the Australian former international cricketer Betty Wilson, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest women cricketers of all-time. Throughout her star-studded international cricketing career which spanned from 1948 to 1958, Betty Wilson played a record total of eleven test matches and picked up a dominant total of 68 wickets, including five fifers.
On Test debut against New Zealand in 1948, Betty Wilson picked up 10 wickets in the match, including 6/28 in an innings, announcing her arrival in style. Additionally, in 1958, Betty Wilson established herself as the first cricketer in the world to score a century and claim a record total of ten wickets in the same test match.
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Jackie Lord, New Zealand
Finally, at the fourth spot on our list of the top four female bowlers with the most five-wicket hauls in the test format as of May 2026, we have the iconic English-born New Zealand former cricketer, Jackie Lord, who is still hailed as one of the most dominating bowlers of her generation.
Throughout her glorious international cricketing career which spanned between 1963 and 1979, Jackie Lord represented New Zealand in a record total of fifteen test matches and picked up a commanding total of 50 wickets at an impressive average of 19.70. Additionally, Jackie Lord also claimed four fifers in her test career, ranking her at the fourth spot on our list. Furthermore, Jackie was also a crucial member of the England team that clinched the inaugural Women’s Cricket World Cup in 1973.
