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-wise Best Bowling Figures in Tests
| Country | Bowler | Best Bowling | Against | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Rashid Khan | 7/137 | Zimbabwe | Abu Dhabi | 2021 |
| Australia | Arthur Mailey | 9/121 | England | Melbourne | 1921 |
| Bangladesh | Taijul Islam | 8/39 | Zimbabwe | Mirpur | 2014 |
| England | Jim Laker | 10/53 | Australia | Manchester | 1956 |
| India | Anil Kumble | 10/74 | Pakistan | Delhi | 1999 |
| Ireland | Andy McBrine | 6/118 | Bangladesh | Mirpur | 2023 |
| New Zealand | Ajaz Patel | 10/119 | India | Wankhede | 2021 |
| Pakistan | Abdul Qadir | 9/56 | England | Lahore | 1987 |
| South Africa | Hugh Tayfield | 9/113 | England | Johannesburg | 1957 |
| Sri Lanka | Muttiah Muralitharan | 9/51 | Zimbabwe | Kandy | 2002 |
| West Indies | Jack Noreiga | 9/95 | India | Port of Spain | 1971 |
| Zimbabwe | Paul Strang | 8/109 | New Zealand | Bulawayo | 2000 |
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.
