5 Best Spells By Part-Time Bowlers In Test Cricket History

Part-time bowlers are often a captain’s best friend when the regulars bowlers in the team are going all-round the park. Yuvraj Singh is a great example of such a kind of bowler whose job is to break partnerships. Sachin Tendulkar known for his batting records was more than a useful part-time bowler in his playing days and used to pick up important wickets.

In modern times, Glenn Maxwell and Moeen Ali are prime examples who take wickets regularly and often do a better job as part-time bowlers than regular bowlers do. In this article, we take a look at the best five spells by part-time bowlers in Test cricket history.

5 Best Spells By Part-Time Bowlers In Test Cricket History

Joe Root- 5/8 vs India (2021)

Root’s spell is the most recent example where part-time bowlers turned the match on its head for their respective teams. In the third Test match between England and India in Ahmedabad earlier this year, Root took 5/8 to bowl India out for 145 after England were bowled out for 112.

Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel shared nine wickets between themselves to bowl England out for just 81 in the second innings as India won the match by 10 wickets chasing 49 runs to win in the second innings. Though England lost the match, Root’s spell is one of the best in Indian conditions by a foreign bowler.

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Michael Clarke- 6/9 vs India (2004)

Clarke’s spell came in the famous Mumbai Test match back in 2004. His spell of 6/9 in the first innings ensured India were bowled out for just 101. In reply, Australia scored 203 as Anil Kumble took five and Murali Kartik four.

India scored 205 in the second innings and Australia just needed 106 to win in the fourth innings. However, Indian spinners Karthik and Harbhajan Singh defied the odds and scripted one of India’s most memorable victories on home soil. Michael Clarke’s spell went onto be remembered as one of the best ever by part-time bowlers.

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Michael Bevan- 6/82 vs West Indies (1997)

Bevan had the best average in ODI cricket throughout his international career. He retired averaging above 60 which has been the best with players with best averages during retirement. Meanwhile, Bevan rolled his arm over as well whenever his team required him to do so. One such spell is 6/82 against West Indies in 1997.

Bevan took six wickets in the West Indies’ second innings to bowl them out for 204 after scoring 517 in the first innings. The part-timer had match figures of 10/113 as the Aussies won the game by an innings and 183 runs. Bevan picked up the Man of the Match award.

Simon Katich- 6/65 vs Zimbabwe (2003)

In a 2003 Test match between Australia and Zimbabwe, Simon Katich picked up 6/65 as Zimbabwe were dismissed for 266 in the second innings after scoring 308 in the first.

Australia scored 172/1 inside 30 overs to win the game by nine wickets. Katich’s spell turned out to be a matchwinning one at last.

Allan Border- 7/46 vs West Indies (1989)

Former Australian skipper Allan Border’s spell culminates the list of best spells by part-time bowlers in Test cricket. His spell came way back in 1989 against the Windies in Sydney.

Border took 7/46 in the first innings as Windies were bowled out for 224. Australia scored 401 in reply while the Windies scored 256 in the second innings. It was an easy won for the Aussies at last as Border ended the Test match with figures of 11/96.

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