Presenting bowlers with 120-plus Test wickets as designated captains
What's the story
Australian captain Pat Cummins recently became the highest wicket-taker as an Australian skipper in Test matches. The achievement came during the opening Test of a three-match series against West Indies in Barbados. Cummins surpassed Benaud's long-standing mark of 138 wickets to become the captain with the second-most Test wickets. On this note, let's look at the skippers with 120-plus Test wickets as designated captains.
#3
Richie Benaud - 138 wickets
Cummins's compatriot Benaud is now third on this list. Having led in 28 Tests between 1958 and 1963, the leg-spinner claimed 138 wickets at an average of 25.78. His best figures while leading the team reads 6/70 as he was the first bowler to complete a century of Test scalps as captain. Notably, captain Benaud clocked an economy rate of under 2 (1.99). Meanwhile, he claimed nine fifers as Australia's Test skipper.
#2
Pat Cummins - 140 fifers
Cummins entered the Barbados Test with 137 wickets as captain, just one short of equaling Benaud's record. He took three wickets in Australia's 159-run triumph and went past Benaud in the process. Having captained across 35 Tests, the pacer has raced to 140 wickets at a sensational average of 22.79, as per ESPNcricinfo. The tally includes nine five-wicket hauls and a match 10-fer. Notably, Cummins first took over the charge in December 2021.
#1
Imran Khan - 187 wickets
Pakistan legend Imran Khan leads this list. The talismanic all-rounder, who is also the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, led in 48 Tests between 1982 and 1992. He returned with 187 wickets in these matches at a mighty fine average of 20.26. Alongside 12 fifers, he also claimed four 10-wicket match hauls. Pakistan's Intikhab Alam (2) is the only other bowler with multiple such hauls as captain.