4. Sri Lanka

Muttiah Muralitharan would arguably go down as the greatest off spinner the cricketing world has ever witnessed. Muralitharan has rewritten most of bowling records in test cricket and his 800 test wickets would take a herculean effort to break. Muralitharan played a pivotal role in shaping up the cricketing fortunes of his Island nation courtesy his match winning spells of spin bowling all round the world.

Muralitharan was simply unplayable at times on the turning tracks in Sri Lankan conditions and ran through the best of batting lineups at will. In the 90s, Muralitharan was well partnered by off-spinner Kumara Dharamasena and leggie Upul Chandana in the limited overs arena.

Veteran spinner Rangana Herath who played second fiddle to Muralitharan for most of his career has been their most successful spinner in the last decade. It is creditable for Herath to pick up 300 odd scalps in test cricket without a able spin partner at the other end.

Meanwhile, Ajanta Mendis shot into fame as the first mystery finger spinner in international cricket. Mendis, a master of variations uses his fingers to great effect in bringing those subtle variations which are very deceptive. His much talked about carom ball has mesmerized the best batsman in the world.

Meanwhile Aravinda De Silva, Sanath Jayasuriya, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Russel Arnold and Sachitra Senanayake have been handy spinners in the limited over format.

Sri Lankan Spinners with 100+ wickets in Test Cricket

5. England

The Inventors of the game had a few spin bowling greats in their cricketing history. Colin Blythe, a formidable spinner in the pre war era leapfrogged his way to 100 test wickets in just 19 test matches.

In the 50s, Jim Laker was one of England’s finest spinner who created history by taking 10 wickets in an innings of a test match. Laker was at his lethal best in the 1956 Ashes where he picked up a record 46 wickets, the most by a bowler in a 5 match test series. Laker formed a good partnership with left-arm orthodox spinner Tony Lock.

In the 60s, Derek Underwood was the best slow bowler in test cricket. Derek was known for his untiring line and impeccable length. Underwood who more often than not created havoc in damp English conditions earned the nickname “Deadly”.

From the 70s till the 90s, England surely missed out on a frontline spinner but were served well in the spin department by John Emburey, Phil Edmonds, Phil Tufnell, Ray Illingworth and Robert Croft.

With the turn of the century, Ashley Giles played his role well as a defensive spinner in a seam pronged attack for England. Off spinner Graeme Swann was one of the leading spinners in test cricket for nearly half a decade. Swann gave his off spinners a real rip and got good purchase of any wicket.Swann would be remembered for his match winning spells in the 2009 Ashes series.

Graeme Swann enjoyed bowling in the company of the lively and animated spinner Monty Panesar who was a revelation of sorts. The English fans loved Monty’s characteristic wicket taking celebrations.

Englands’ current spin attack looks well balanced with Moeen Ali, James Tredwell and Adil Rashid who lend a bit of variety with their different bowling styles.

England Spinners with 100+ Test Wickets