Most wickets taken by a pace trio in a calendar year in Test cricket

(3) Morne Morkel / Makhaya Ntini / Dale Steyn - 123 wickets in 2008

South Africa had a great pace attack in 2008

South Africa had a brilliant year in 2008, winning every series except one against India, which they drew. Their bowling lineup was a boon to Graeme Smith, a pace attack which wreaked havoc even on spinning pitches in India.

Morne Morkel was consistent as South Africa defeated England away from home, while Dale Steyn was the chief destroyer in Australia. South Africa won 11 out of 15 Tests that year, playing 11 of those away from home. Dale Steyn was at his peak in the 2007-08 season, ending with 74 wickets in 11 Tests.

Makhaya Ntini - 54 wickets at an avg of 28.46

Morne Morkel - 43 wickets at an avg of 32.16

Dale Steyn - 74 wickets at an avg of 20.01

(The cumulative wickets taken were 171, but 123 wickets were taken when they played together as a pace trio)