Wickets and Partnerships win Test matches in Cricket. We have spoken a lot about Partnership records in Cricket before, and it’s time to highlight some of the best bowlers of the Test teams. Anil Kumble of India and Jim Laker of England are the only bowlers to pick all ten wickets in a Test innings and eventually top the best bowling figures for their respective country.
I have listed below country-wise best bowling figures in a Test innings.
| COUNTRY | BOWLER | BEST BOWLING | AGAINST | DATE | VENUE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Rashid Khan | 7/137 | Zimbabwe | Mar 2021 | Abu Dhabi |
| Australia | Arthur Mailey | 9/121 | England | Feb 1921 | Melbourne |
| Bangladesh | Taijul Islam | 8/39 | Zimbabwe | Oct 2014 | Dhaka |
| England | Jim Laker | 10/53 | Australia | Jul 1956 | Manchester |
| India | Anil Kumble | 10/74 | Pakistan | Feb 1999 | Delhi |
| Ireland | Tim Murtagh | 5/13 | England | Jul 2019 | London |
| New Zealand | Richard Hadlee | 9/52 | Australia | Nov 1985 | Brisbane |
| Pakistan | Abdul Qadir | 9/56 | England | Nov 1987 | Lahore |
| South Africa | Hugh Tayfield | 9/113 | England | Feb 1957 | Johannesburg |
| Sri Lanka | Muttiah Muralitharan | 9/51 | Zimbabwe | Jan 2002 | Kandy |
| West Indies | Jack Noreiga | 9/95 | India | Mar 1971 | Port of Spain |
| Zimbabwe | Paul Strang | 8/109 | New Zealand | Sep 2000 | Bulawayo |
Stats Insights
- Muttiah Muralitharan and Jim Laker are the two bowlers to pick more than 9-wickets in a Test innings. Murali also has three 8 wicket-hauls. You can read here Muralitharan’s insane bowling records.
- Next to Muralitharan (5), George Lohmann of England has picked 8 or more wickets four times in his Test career. Kapil Dev (India) and Sydney Barnes (England) have three each.
- Lohmann is also the first-ever Test bowler to pick a 9-wicket haul. His best bowling figure of 9/28 came against South Africa in 1896 at Johannesburg. This is also the best bowling figure for an away bowler in Test cricket.
- Lohmann’s 9/28 is also the lowest run conceded in an innings by a bowler after picking 9 or more wickets.
Bonus: Check out this strange record, in which Anil Kumble tops the list.
