Top 10 Best Bowling Figures In Test Cricket History 2024 Guide

Introduction to Test Cricket Bowling Figures

Test matches hold a special place in the illustrious realm of cricket, known for their endurance, strategy, and skill. Among the many statistics that define a Test cricketer’s career, bowling figures stand out as a testament to a bowler’s prowess on the field. This article delves into the top 10 best bowling figures in Test cricket history, celebrating remarkable performances that have left an indelible mark on the sport.

Understanding Bowling Figures in Test Cricket

What do bowling figures represent?

Best Bowling Figures encapsulate a bowler’s performance in a Test match, providing insights into their effectiveness, consistency, and impact. These figures include key metrics such as the number of overs bowled, maidens delivered, runs conceded, and wickets taken.

How are Best Bowling Figures calculated?

Best Bowling Figures are calculated based on the number of overs bowled by a player and the corresponding maidens, runs conceded, and wickets taken. The standard format for bowling figures is overs-maidens-runs-wickets (O-M-R-W), offering a comprehensive snapshot of a bowler’s contribution to the game.

Importance of Best Bowling Figures in Test Cricket

Impact on the match outcome

Bowling figures play a crucial role in shaping the outcome of a Test match, as bowlers strive to restrict the opposition’s scoring opportunities while taking wickets at regular intervals. Exceptional bowling figures often tilt the game’s balance in favor of the bowling side, exerting pressure on the batters and altering the course of play.

Significance in a bowler’s career

For bowlers, achieving remarkable bowling figures in Test cricket is a testament to their skill, perseverance, and ability to excel under pressure. These performances contribute to team victories and enhance a bowler’s reputation and legacy in the annals of cricketing history.

Top 10 Best Bowling Figures In Test Cricket History

 

10. Muttiah Muralitharan – 9/65 [1998]

On this list of the greatest bowlers in the history of Test cricket, Muralitharan is one of just two bowlers with two very noteworthy bowling spells.

On August 27, 1998, at the Oval, he claimed nine wickets in a test match against England.

He took 27 overs to be maiden while bowling 54.2 overs. Muralitharan bowled with an economy of just 1.19, giving up 65 runs in the innings.

 

9. Devon Malcolm – 9/57 [1994]

Devon Malcolm, a former English Pacer and one of the all-time great fast bowlers played 40 tests and 10 One-Day Internationals for his country.

In addition, during a match against South Africa, he recorded the eighth-best bowling stats in test cricket. On August 18, 1994, he accomplished that marvel at the Oval.

In that encounter, he gave up just 57 runs while taking 9 wickets. Malcolm took 2 maiden overs in his 16.3 overs of bowling.

8. Abdul Qadir – 9/56 [1987]

Abdul Qadir, a former Pakistani bowling wizard, has the seventh-best bowling average in the history of test matches.

In the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, the handsome Master claimed nine wickets against England. In that match, he bowled 37 overs and conceded just 56 runs.

Abdul amassed an economy rate of 1.51 while taking 13 maiden overs. The game took place on November 25, 1987.

 

7. Richard Hadlee – 9/52 [1985]

On November 8, 1985, Sir Richard Hadlee, one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history, recorded his best bowling stats against Australia.

Hadlee’s 52 runs from 9 wickets remain the sixth-best total in the competition’s history. On that day, he bowled 23.4 overs and conceded just 52 runs.

Taking four maiden overs, he had a 2.19 economy rate. Brisbane’s spectators were treated to a spectacular game that day.

 

6. Muttiah Muralitharan – 9/51 [2002]

A legendary bowler from Sri Lanka holds the global record for most wickets in Test and ODI cricket. He is regarded by many as one of the all-time greats in cricket.

In addition, on June 4, 2002, he grabbed 9 wickets in a match against Zimbabwe. In that encounter, he bowled forty overs, taking 19 maiden overs.

Muralitharan had an outstanding economy rate of 1.27 in that game, giving up just 51 runs. There was undoubtedly a great bowling performance that day for the Kandy spectators.

5. Jim Laker – 9/37 [1956]

Jim Laker, a former English off-spinner, claimed nine Australian wickets for a meager 37 runs. He is currently regarded as one of Australia’s all-time best cricket players.

On July 26, 1956, in Manchester, his performance ranked fourth among the greatest bowling performances in Test cricket history.

That day, Laker took four maiden overs and bowled 16.4 overs. In that match, he had an outstanding economy rate of 2.22.

 

4. George Lohmann – 9/28 [1896]

Lohmann took nine South African wickets at Johannesburg on March 2, 1896. With it, he achieved the third-best bowling numbers in the history of Test cricket.

Even though they had to bowl five balls every over at that point, he got those wickets in 14.2 overs.

Despite taking six maiden overs that day, he only allowed 28 runs. During that match, Lohman had an amazing economy rate of 2.33.

 

3. Ajaz Patel – 10/119 [2021]

Ajaz Yunus Patel, a left-arm orthodox Kiwi spinner of Indian descent, performed a feat on the field on December 3, 2021, during a test match against India.

In that game, which took place at Mumbai, India’s Wankhede Stadium, Patel gave a standout effort for New Zealand.

With an economy rate of just 2.48, he got all 10 of the Indian team’s wickets in just 47.5 overs. He destroyed the Indian team, conceding 119 runs in 12 maiden overs.

Read More: Most Sixes In An Innings Of ODI By A Player Updated 2024.

 

2. Anil Kumble – 10/74 [1999]

Ajaz Yunus Patel, a left-arm orthodox Kiwi spinner of Indian descent, performed a feat on the field on December 3, 2021, during a test match against India.

In that game, which took place at Mumbai, India’s Wankhede Stadium, Patel gave a standout effort for New Zealand.

With an economy rate of just 2.48, he got all 10 of the Indian team’s wickets in just 47.5 overs. He destroyed the Indian team, conceding 119 runs in 12 maiden overs.

 

1. Jim Laker – 10/53 [1956]

The global record holder for the greatest bowler in test cricket history, Jim Laker, tops the list.

In Manchester, the former English spinner claimed all ten wickets in an Australian match. On July 26, 1956, he destroyed Australia’s innings by himself.

Of the 51.2 overs he bowled, 23 overs were maidens. Laker gave up just 53 runs with an economy of 1.03 that day.

 

Honorable Mention

11. Jasubhai Patel – 9/69 [1959]

Jasubhai Patel, a former Indian off-spinner, dismissed nine batters from Australia while conceding 69 runs.

He played in Kanpur in 1959 against Australia.

He claimed his highest-ever number of wickets in this Test match—14. On that particular day, Patel took 16 maiden overs and bowled 35.5 overs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the top 10 best bowling figures in Test cricket history stand as enduring monuments to the skill, talent, and dedication of the bowlers who achieved them. These performances not only showcase individual brilliance but also enrich the tapestry of cricketing history, inspiring future generations of players to strive for greatness on the field.