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Jun 18, 20261
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96-Year-Old Record: Australia's Herbert Ironmonger Still Oldest to Take 10 Wickets in a Test Match
Herbert Ironmonger of Australia holds the record for being the oldest cricketer to take 10 or more wickets in a Test match, a record that has stood for nearly 96 years. He achieved this feat at 49 years and 311 days old against South Africa in 1932. Only three Indian bowlers feature in the top 25 of this list.
Quick Facts
Who
Herbert Ironmonger
What
Oldest player to take 10 or more wickets in a Test match
When
12 February 1932
Where
Melbourne
- Oldest player to take 10 or more wickets in a Test match
- Took 11 wickets for 24 runs
- Record stands for 96 years
- Herbert Ironmonger
- Clarrie Grimmett
A remarkable record in Test cricket continues to stand, nearly 96 years after it was set. Australia's Herbert Ironmonger remains the oldest player to take 10 or more wickets in a Test match, achieving the feat at the age of 49 years and 311 days. The record, established against South Africa in Melbourne in February 1932, has endured through decades of cricketing evolution.
Ironmonger's performance of 11 wickets for 24 runs in the match against South Africa on February 12, 1932, is a testament to the value of experience in Test cricket. He achieved this milestone at an age when most cricketers have long retired, demonstrating that age is not a barrier to excellence in the sport.
The top five list of oldest bowlers to take 10 wickets in a Test match features four players aged over 40. Second on the list is another Australian, Clarrie Grimmett, who took 13 wickets against South Africa at the age of 44 years and 65 days in 1936. England's Tich Freeman (41 years 71 days) and Sydney Barnes (40 years 301 days) also feature prominently.
In the 21st century, Sri Lanka's left-arm spinner Rangana Herath is the oldest player on the list, taking 11 wickets against Pakistan at the age of 39 years and 193 days in September 2017. He is followed by Australia's Bob Holland (39 years 34 days) and Pakistan's Nauman Ali, who achieved the record in October 2025 against South Africa at the age of 39 years and 5 days.
Among Indian bowlers, only three feature in the top 25. Ravichandran Ashwin leads the Indian contingent, having taken 12 wickets against West Indies in July 2023 at the age of 36 years and 298 days. Ravindra Jadeja (35 years 331 days) and Erapalli Prasanna (35 years 247 days) are the other Indians on the list.
Topics
Why This Matters
This record underscores that age is not a barrier to peak performance in professional sports. For cricket analysts and sports enthusiasts, it highlights the enduring value of experience and skill, and it provides a historical benchmark for evaluating contemporary players. The fact that only three Indian bowlers appear in the top 25 (Ashwin, Jadeja, Prasanna) offers a perspective on the global distribution of longevity in Test cricket.
Timeline & Sources
Feb 14, 1914
WireSydney Barnes (40y 301d) takes 14 wickets for England vs South Africa
Feb 1, 1929
WireJack White (37y 348d) takes 13 wickets for England vs Australia
Jul 27, 1929
WireTich Freeman (41y 71d) takes 12 wickets for England vs South Africa
Feb 12, 1932
WireHerbert Ironmonger (49y 311d) takes 11 wickets for Australia vs South Africa
Aug 12, 1933
WireCharles Marriott (37y 332d) takes 11 wickets for England vs West Indies
Feb 28, 1936
WireClarrie Grimmett (44y 65d) takes 13 wickets for Australia vs South Africa
Mar 27, 1948
WireHines Johnson (37y 258d) takes 10 wickets for West Indies vs England
Nov 22, 1985
WireBob Holland (39y 34d) takes 10 wickets for Australia vs New Zealand
Nov 24, 1988
WireRichard Hadlee (37y 144d) takes 10 wickets for New Zealand vs India
Jun 29, 2000
WireCourtney Walsh (37y 243d) takes 10 wickets for West Indies vs England
Dec 15, 2000
WireColin Miller (36y 313d) takes 10 wickets for Australia vs West Indies
Sep 28, 2017
WireRangana Herath (39y 193d) takes 11 wickets for Sri Lanka vs Pakistan
Jul 12, 2023
WireRavichandran Ashwin (36y 298d) takes 12 wickets for India vs West Indies
Oct 12, 2025
WireNauman Ali (39y 5d) takes 10 wickets for Pakistan vs South Africa