Top Best Bowling Figures in Test Cricket History
The best part about Test cricket is the fact that it’s an evenly balanced contest between bat and ball. For batsmen playing in the Test format, application of ability and an undeterred concentration is what allows them to excel whereas, for bowlers, it’s all about the relentless pursuit of line and length. Below, we’ve put together a list of the best bowling figures in Test cricket, bowlers who have single-handled turned the tide of the Test match in their teams’ favor.
These bowling spells have been marked by the disciplined and relentless pursuit of good length deliveries that have led to the dismissal of the batsman.
1. JContents
- 1. Jim Laker (England, 1956) – 10/53
- 2. Anil Kumble (India, 1999) – 10/74
- 3. Ajaz Patel (New Zealand, 2021) – 10/119
- 4. George Lohmann (England, 1896) – 9/28
- 5. Jim Laker (England, 1956) – 9/37
- 6. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka, 2002) – 9/51
- 7. Richard Hadlee (New Zealand, 1985) – 9/52
- 8. Abdul Qadir (Pakistan, 1987) – 9/56
- 9. Devon Malcolm (England, 1994) – 9/57
- 10. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka, 1998) – 9/65
1. Jim Laker (England, 1956) – 10/53
ng all 10 wickets of the opposition in a single innings by one bowler is almost unheard of. Yet, this seemingly impossible feat did take place for the first time way back in 1956 when English off-spinner Jim Laker went on to take all 10 wickets while Australia was batting. With this, Laker recorded the best bowling figures in Test cricket. In a total of 51.2 overs that he bowled, Laker gave away just 53 runs with 23 maidens in the process and claimed all 10 wickets.
Contents
- 1. Jim Laker (England, 1956) – 10/53
- 2. Anil Kumble (India, 1999) – 10/74
- 3. Ajaz Patel (New Zealand, 2021) – 10/119
- 4. George Lohmann (England, 1896) – 9/28
- 5. Jim Laker (England, 1956) – 9/37
- 6. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka, 2002) – 9/51
- 7. Richard Hadlee (New Zealand, 1985) – 9/52
- 8. Abdul Qadir (Pakistan, 1987) – 9/56
- 9. Devon Malcolm (England, 1994) – 9/57
- 10. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka, 1998) – 9/65
This bowling effort sits at the top of the best bowling figures in Test cricket and will be hard to emulate even in the times to come.
2. Anil Kumble (India, 1992. Anil Kumble (India, 1999) – 10/74
in bowlers to have ever played the game, Indian spinner Anil Kumble was known for his wicket-taking ability especially on pitches that had something to offer for the spinners. Against arch-rivals Pakistan, Anil Kumble went on to take all 10 wickets in one inning and at the time became only the second bowler in Test history to take all 10 wickets in a single inning.
Having bowled 26.3 overs with 9 maidens, Kumble gave away just 74 runs and single-handedly dismissed the Pakistani batsman.
3. Ajaz Patel (New Zealand, 3. Ajaz Patel (New Zealand, 2021) – 10/119
t the Wankhede stadium, Ajaz Patel of New Zealand who has Indian roots went on to bowl one of the best spells in Test match cricket as he dismissed all 10 Indian batsmen in one inning, becoming just the third bowler in the history of Test cricket to have achieved the feat. Ajaz bowled a total of 47.5 overs in which he gave away just 119 runs and bowled 12 maidens in the process of dismissing all 10 Indian batsmen.
4. George Lohmann (England, 184. George Lohmann (England, 1896) – 9/28
produced a bowling spell of a lifetime as he took 9 wickets and helped in dismissing the South African innings for a low score. During his bowling spell, Lohmann bowled a total of 14.2 overs in which he gave away just 28 runs with 6 maidens and claimed 9 wickets at a miserly economy of just 2.33.
5. Jim Laker (England, 1956) – 95. Jim Laker (England, 1956) – 9/37
tures twice on the list of best bowling figures in Test cricket. The English off-spinner left Australia in a daze as he claimed 9 Australian wickets in a single inning and gave away just 37 runs. Laker bowled a total of 16.4 overs with 4 maidens during his spell which claimed the 9 wickets.
6. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka, 6. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka, 2002) – 9/51
o have played the game is Sri Lankan off-spin bowler Muttiah Muralitharan and it’s only natural that his name features in the list of best bowling figures in Test cricket.
4. George Lohmann (England, 1896) – 9/28
produced a bowling spell of a lifetime as he took 9 wickets and helped in dismissing the South African innings for a low score. During his bowling spell, Lohmann bowled a total of 14.2 overs in which he gave away just 28 runs with 6 maidens and claimed 9 wickets at a miserly economy of just 2.33.5. Jim Laker (England, 1956) – 95. Jim Laker (England, 1956) – 9/37
tures twice on the list of best bowling figures in Test cricket. The English off-spinner left Australia in a daze as he claimed 9 Australian wickets in a single inning and gave away just 37 runs. Laker bowled a total of 16.4 overs with 4 maidens during his spell which claimed the 9 wickets.
6. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka, 6. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka, 2002) – 9/51
o have played the game is Sri Lankan off-spin bowler Muttiah Muralitharan and it’s only natural that his name features in the list of best bowling figures in Test cricket.
6. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka, 2002) – 9/51
o have played the game is Sri Lankan off-spin bowler Muttiah Muralitharan and it’s only natural that his name features in the list of best bowling figures in Test cricket.
In a spell during which Muralitharan bowled 40 overs and gave just 51 runs, he went on to claim 9 wickets and recorded one of the best bowling figures in Test cricket.
7. Richard Hadlee (New Zealand, 1985) – 7. Richard Hadlee (New Zealand, 1985) – 9/52
have ever played the game of cricket, Richard Hadlee of New Zealand etched his name into the history books as he went on to claim 9 wickets in a single innings against Australia. In the 23.4 overs that Hadlee bowled, he gave just away 52 runs and claimed 9 wickets.
8. Abdul Qadir (Pakistan, 1987) – 9/56
8. Abdul Qadir (Pakistan, 1987) – 9/56
g figures in Test cricket, Pakistan’s spin bowler Abdul Qadir left England in a daze as he spun his bowling web around the English batsmen. Having bowled 37 overs with 13 maiden overs, Qadir gave away just 56 runs at a miserly economy rate of just 1.51.
9. Devon Malcolm (England, 1994) – 9/57
10. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka, 1998) – 9/65
10. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka, 1998) – 9/65
tures on the list of best bowling figures in Test cricket as he went on to take 9 wickets against England in their Test match at the Oval. Having bowled 54.2 overs with 27 maidens, Muralitharan dismissed 9 English batsmen giving away just 65 runs at an economy of just 1.19.
In this article, we look at the biggest Test win registered by England versus Australia in August 1938. We also look at other biggest wins in Test cricket registered since. Interestingly, all of these wins were innings victories with the most registered after imposing a follow-on against the losing side. England (Innings and 579 runs) […]
In this article, we look at the shortest Test match ever played. For our purpose, we have used the number of balls bowled as a measure. We have also ensured that the matches we considered were completed in all respects, whether or not interrupted by inclement weather. Australia vs South Africa, February 12-15, 1932 (656 […]
The first ever day-night Test match – the third match of a three-Test series during New Zealand’s tour of Australia – was hosted at Adelaide between November 27 and 29, 2015. In this article, we discuss the history of day-night cricket and review the first day-night Test match. Summary History of Cricket Under Lights Date […]
Test cricket is the longest format of the game. You can ask any player, and they will tell you that Test cricket is the most-renowned format of the sport when compared to ODI and T20. Due to such reasons, players [both past and present] love playing this format. Apart from being the longest, it’s also […]
There are many test cricketing nations out there that are all set to through young and fresh talent right at the deep end, believing the ideology that “if they are good enough, they are old enough”. There have been many cricket legends who started playing test cricket at a young age. Through this article, you […]
In cricket, it can be really difficult to lead a team in Test format. The captain needs top-notch qualities, including patience and a high concentration level for the next five days. Despite the challenges, Test stars proved themselves as the best youngest Test captain in history. Below is a table and a list of the […]