Most Expensive Bowling Figures in a Test Innings

Test cricket is a more balanced format than the other 2 limited-over formats, ODI and T20I. The batters and bowlers have a fair chance of taking on each other in red-ball cricket.

However, on some days, they might have bad outings, like a batter getting out on a paltry score or a bowler getting smacked by batters across the park.

Speaking of bowlers, there have been instances of them bowling frustrating long spells, conceding a lot of runs with no respite from batters.

In this article, we’ll look at the top 10 most expensive bowling figures delivered by bowlers in a single Test innings.

Most Expensive Bowling Figures in a Test Innings

Key Insights

1/298 by Chuck Fleetwood-Smith is the most expensive bowling figure by any bowler in a single Test innings. He conceded a whopping 298 runs out of 903 runs scored by England — the highest team total for England in Test cricket.

8.85 is the worst economy rate by a bowler in an innings with 100+ runs conceded during their spell. Pakistan’s leg spinner Yasir Shah bowled 14 overs and gave away 124 runs by picking 1 wicket against Australia in 2017.

Khan Mohammad’s (PAK) wicketless figure of 259 9 in the 1958 Test against West Indies is the highest a bowler has conceded without picking a wicket in a Test match. Look for it in detail here.

If we increase the cut-off to 200+ runs, then another Pakistani leg spinner has an inferior economy rate. Zahid Mahmood returned with bowling figures of 4 for 235 runs at an economy rate of 7.12 against England in 2022. He is the only bowler to concede 6 or more runs per over in an innings.

Thus far, there are 2 instances of 2 bowlers each from a team leaking more than 200 runs in the same innings of a Test match. 

The first incident dates back to 1958, when Pakistan’s Fazal Mahmood and Khan Mohammad delivered figures of 2/247 and 0/259, respectively, against the West Indies. 

The second instance involves India’s Rajesh Chauhan and Anil Kumble, who conceded 276 and 223 runs, respectively, while picking up 1 wicket each against Sri Lanka in 1997. The Lankan team scored a staggering 952/6d — Sri Lanka’s highest team score in Tests.

The West Indies’ Sonny Ramadhin delivered the most balls in a single Test innings (588). He bowled 98 overs against England in 1957, returning with bowling figures of 2 for 179 runs.