Have you ever watched a cricket match where one bowler seemed unplayable? You’re about to discover the most magical moments That made the best bowling figures in test cricket history, where bowlers turned into superheroes on the cricket field.
From Jim Laker, who made England proud in the past, to more recent performances like Washington Sundar, we will explore the top 20 times when bowlers were simply unstoppable. By the end of this article, you’ll know precisely where the bowlers played like a legend and when.
Get ready to be amazed by bowlers who turned matches on their heads.
Top 20 Best Bowling Figures In Test Cricket
Here’s a look at the top 20 best bowling figures in an innings in Test cricket. These records show the incredible skill and talent of bowlers who have dominated matches with their outstanding performances.
| Rank | Bowler | Figures | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jim Laker (England) | 10/53 | Australia | Old Trafford | 1956 |
| 2 | Anil Kumble (India) | 10/74 | Pakistan | Feroz Shah Kotla | 1999 |
| 3 | Ajaz Patel (New Zealand) | 10/119 | India | Wankhede | 2021 |
| 4 | George Lohmann (England) | 9/28 | South Africa | Johannesburg | 1896 |
| 5 | Jim Laker (England) | 9/37 | Australia | Old Trafford | 1956 |
| 6 | Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) | 9/51 | Zimbabwe | Kandy | 2002 |
| 7 | Richard Hadlee (New Zealand) | 9/52 | Australia | Brisbane | 1985 |
| 8 | Abdul Qadir (Pakistan) | 9/56 | England | Lahore | 1987 |
| 9 | Devon Malcolm (England) | 9/57 | South Africa | The Oval | 1994 |
| 10 | Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) | 9/65 | England | The Oval | 1998 |
| 11 | Johnny Briggs (England) | 8/11 | South Africa | Cape Town | 1889 |
| 12 | Sarfraz Nawaz (Pakistan) | 9/86 | Australia | Melbourne | 1979 |
| 13 | JM Noriega (West Indies) | 9/95 | India | Port of Spain | 1971 |
| 14 | Subhash Gupte (India) | 9/102 | West Indies | Kanpur | 1958 |
| 15 | Sydney Barnes (England) | 9/103 | South Africa | Johannesburg | 1913 |
| 16 | Hugh Tayfield (South Africa) | 9/113 | England | Johannesburg | 1957 |
| 17 | Arthur Mailey (Australia) | 9/121 | England | Melbourne | 1921 |
| 18 | Rangana Herath (Sri Lanka) | 9/127 | Pakistan | Colombo (SSC) | 2014 |
| 19 | Keshav Maharaj (South Africa) | 9/129 | Sri Lanka | Colombo (SSC) | 2018 |
| 20 | Washington Sundar (India) | 7/59 | New Zealand | Pune | 2024 |
| 21 | Michell Santner (New Zealand) | 7/53 | India | Pune | 2024 |
Best Bowling Figures In Test Cricket: A Detailed Overview
Let’s take a detailed look at the best bowling figures in test cricket:
1. Jim Laker (England) – 10/53 vs. Australia (1956)
Jim Laker’s performance at Old Trafford remains unparalleled in the history of Test cricket. His off-spin dismantled the Australian batting lineup, making him the first player to take all 10 wickets in an innings.
Laker’s 10/53 was a feat of precision and skill, showcasing his exceptional talent.
Match result: England won by an innings and 170 runs.
2. Anil Kumble (India) – 10/74 vs. Pakistan (1999)
Anil Kumble’s historic achievement at Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi saw him become the second player to take all 10 wickets in an innings. Kumble’s leg-spin was unplayable that day, and his 10/74 against Pakistan is remembered as one of the greatest spells in cricket history.
Match result: India won by 212 runs.
3. Ajaz Patel (New Zealand) – 10/119 vs. India (2021)
Ajaz Patel’s stunning spell in Mumbai, where he took all 10 Indian wickets, etched his name in the record books. Becoming only the third bowler to achieve this milestone, Patel’s 10/119 highlighted his skill and perseverance against a strong Indian batting lineup.
Match result: India won by 372 runs.
4. George Lohmann (England) – 9/28 vs. South Africa (1896)
George Lohmann’s remarkable figures of 9/28 in Johannesburg showcased his mastery of seam and swing. His performance remains one of the best in the history of cricket, underlining his dominance as a bowler in the late 19th century.
Match result: England won by an innings and 197 runs.
5. Jim Laker (England) – 9/37 vs. Australia, Old Trafford, 1956
In the same match where he took 10 wickets in the first innings, Jim Laker also claimed 9/37 in the second innings. This outstanding double spell led England to a crushing victory by an innings and 170 runs, making Laker’s performance the greatest in Test history.
Match Result: England won by an innings and 170 runs.
6. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) – 9/51 vs. Zimbabwe, Kandy, 2002
Muttiah Muralitharan’s 9/51 against Zimbabwe showcased his unmatched spin-bowling ability. Sri Lanka dominated the match, winning by an innings and 94 runs. Muralitharan’s spin was simply too much for Zimbabwe to handle.
Match Result: Sri Lanka won by an innings and 94 runs.
7. Richard Hadlee (New Zealand) – 9/52 vs. Australia, Brisbane, 1985
Richard Hadlee’s 9/52 against Australia in Brisbane is one of the finest fast-bowling displays in Test cricket. His efforts helped New Zealand win the match by an innings and 41 runs. Hadlee’s lethal swing bowling was crucial in this memorable victory for New Zealand.
Match Result: New Zealand won by an innings and 41 runs
8. Abdul Qadir (Pakistan) – 9/56 vs. England, Lahore, 1987
Abdul Qadir’s 9/56 against England in Lahore was an exhibition of brilliant leg-spin bowling. Pakistan won the match by an innings and 87 runs, with Qadir’s unplayable spin being the highlight of the game.
Match result: Pakistan won by an innings and 87 runs.
9. Devon Malcolm (England) – 9/57 vs. South Africa, The Oval, 1994
Devon Malcolm’s 9/57 against South Africa at The Oval is remembered for his raw pace. After being hit on the helmet earlier in the game, Malcolm unleashed a devastating spell to take 9 wickets. England won the match by 8 wickets, and Malcolm’s fiery bowling was the turning point.
Match Result: England won by 8 wickets.
10 Muthiah Muralidaran (Sri Lanka) – 9/65 vs. England(1998)
Muttiah Muralitharan’s spectacular spell of 9/65 at The Oval in 1998 showcased why he was one of cricket’s most feared spinners. In his second innings, with over 54.2 overs of mesmerizing spin bowling, including 27 maidens, Muralitharan maintained an incredibly economical rate of just 1.19 runs per over.
Conclusion: Jim Laker Has The Best Bowling Figure In Test
Jim Laker’s 10/53 remains the best bowling figure in Test cricket, a true example of skill and accuracy. Achieving such great figures is not just about talent – it’s a mix of conditions, pitch behavior, and the bowler’s ability to outsmart the batsman.
Each performance on this list shares similar factors. Muttiah Muralitharan’s spin control or Richard Hadlee’s swing and seam bowling were key to their success.
When we look ahead, current bowlers like Ravichandran Ashwin, Nathan Lyon, or rising stars like Shaheen Afridi could break into this list. With more Test matches and different playing conditions, future bowlers have a chance to set new records.
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