Top 5 Best Bowling Figures In Test Cricket

India and New Zealand are currently playing the second of the two-match Test series at Wankhede Stadium. A sensational knock from Mayank Agarwal helped India post 325 runs in the first innings. The Indian opener amassed 150 off 311 deliveries, including 17 fours and 4 sixes.

India are dominating the Test at the moment. Riding on sensational spells from Mohammed Siraj and Ravi Ashwin, India bundled out New Zealand for just 62 runs in the second innings. India might be in a dominating position and might go on to win the Test but this Test will always be remembered for Ajaz Patel’s sensational spell of spin bowling.

On Saturday, he wrote his name in the history books after picking all ten wickets of the Indian team in the first innings. It was, unarguably, one of the best bowling performances in the history of Test Cricket. For the unversed, Ajaz Patel has now become only the third bowler to have picked 10 wickets in a single inning of a Test match. On that note, we take a look at the best five bowling figures in Test Cricket

Top 5 Best Bowling Figures In Test Cricket

5. Jim Laker: 9/37 

Former England right-arm off break, James Laker is regarded as one of the greatest spin bowlers in the history of Test Cricket. He represented England Cricket Team and produced some of the finest bowling performances for England in Test Cricket. Laker also played an instrumental role in making Sussex a formidable side in the 1950s.

His brilliant spells helped the club claim seven consecutive titles from 1952 and 1958. He holds the record for picking the fifth-best Test bowling figures against Australia in Manchester.

In the fourth Test between England and Australia during Australia’s 1956 tour of England, J Laker picked 9 wickets for just 37 runs to bundle out Australia for 84 runs. England won that game by an innings and 170 runs.

4. George Lohmann: 9/28

Former England pacer, George Lohmann is counted among the greatest fast bowlers of all time. He was known for varying his pace, flight, and break deceptively. It helped him trouble batsmen on good pitches. George Lohmann has the fourth-best bowling figures in Test Cricket.

He achieved the feat in the second Test against South Africa in 1896. After England posted a mammoth 482 run-total in the first innings, George Lohmann ran through South Africa’s batting unit in the second innings. He took 9 wickets for just 28 runs to bundle out South Africa for just 151 runs. England won that game by an innings and 197 runs.

3. Ajaz Patel: 10/119

Ajaz Patel created history on Saturday during the second day of the second Test between India and New Zealand. He became only the third player in the history of Test Cricket to pick all 10 wickets in a single inning of a Test match. Patel picked the first four on the first day of the Test.

He then picked all six remaining wickets on the second day of the Test. He finished with figures of 10-119 in 47.5 overs as India were bowled out for 325 runs in the second innings.

2. Anil Kumble: 10/74

Legendary Indian spinner, Anil Kumble is at the second position in the elite list. Kumble will always be remembered for his unbelievable performance against Pakistan in the second Test during Pakistan’s tour of India, 1999. India batted first and scored a below-par 252-run total in the first innings.

Anil Kumble picked four wickets in the second innings to bundle out Pakistan for 172 in the second innings. India then notched 339 runs in the third innings to give Pakistan a 419-run target. Anil Kumble then exhibited an unbelievable spell of 10 for 74 runs in 26.3 overs to bundle out Pakistan for just 207 runs. India won that game by 212 runs.

1. J Laker: 10/53

Legendary bowler, J Laker, once again, find his name in the elite list. He holds the record for claiming the best figures in Test Cricket. Laker achieved the feat against Australia in the fourth Test during Australia’s tour of England in 1956. England batted first in that game and notched a mammoth 459-run total in the first innings.

Australia, in reply, were bundled out for just 84 runs, thanks to an exceptional spell from Laker who picked 9 wickets for just 37 runs. He followed it up with a 10-wicket haul in the third innings. Laker picked all 10 wickets for 53 runs when Australia batted again. In all, J Laker picked 19 wickets in the match and helped England win the match by an innings and 170 runs.