Test debuts are special. But it wasn’t so special for a few bowlers, who bowled taxing spells without taking a wicket. Here are the most expensive bowling figures without a wicket on Test debut.
Most Expensive Wicketless Spell on Test Debut
| Player | Bowling Figures | Overs Bowled | Opposition | Ground | Start Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adil Rashid (ENG) | 0/163 | 34.0 | Pakistan | Abu Dhabi | 13 Oct 2015 |
| Zafar Gohar (PAK) | 0/159 | 32.0 | New Zealand | Christchurch | 3 Jan 2021 |
| Mitchell Swepson (AUS) | 0/156 | 53.4 | Pakistan | Karachi | 12 Mar 2022 |
| Bryce McGain (AUS) | 0/149 | 18.0 | South Africa | Cape Town | 19 Mar 2009 |
| Pankaj Singh (IND) | 0/146 | 37.0 | England | Southampton | 27 Jul 2014 |
| John Warr (ENG)* | 0/142 | 36.0 | Australia | Sydney | 5 Jan 1951 |
| Tawanda Mupariwa (ZIM) | 0/136 | 34.0 | Sri Lanka | Bulawayo | 14 May 2004 |
| Bapu Nadkarni (IND) | 0/132 | 54.0 | New Zealand | Delhi | 16 Dec 1955 |
| Sohail Khan (PAK) | 0/131 | 21.0 | Sri Lanka | Karachi | 21 Feb 2009 |
| Sulieman Benn (WI) | 0/120 | 40.0 | Sri Lanka | Providence | 22 Mar 2008 |
Key Insights on the Most Expensive Wicketless Spells in Test Cricket History
Records for Most Runs Conceded in a Wicketless Test Innings
Pakistan’s Khan Mohammad holds the record for the most expensive figures without a wicket in any Test innings, conceding 259 runs for none in 54 overs against the West Indies in the second innings of the 1958 Kingston Test.
England’s Adil Rashid has the record for the most expensive wicketless figures in a debut Test innings, giving away 163 runs for none in 34 overs against Pakistan in the first innings of the 2015 Abu Dhabi Test.
India’s Pankaj Singh bowled the most expensive wicketless spell in a debut Test innings among pacers, conceding 146 runs for zero wickets against England in the first innings of the 2014 Southampton Test.
Costliest Match and Debut Hauls Without a Wicket
Pankaj Singh finished the 2014 Southampton Test with figures of none for 179, which is the most expensive wicketless match haul by a bowler in their debut Test.
Longest Wicketless Spells in Terms of Overs Bowled
India’s Bapu Nadkarni bowled the most overs without a wicket in his debut Test innings, sending down 54 wicketless overs against New Zealand in the first innings of the 1955 Delhi Test.
Australia’s Mitchell Swepson came close to this record, having delivered 53.4 overs without a wicket against Pakistan in the fourth innings of the 2022 Karachi Test.
Worst Economy Rates in Wicketless Test Debuts
Pakistan’s Zahid Mahmood picked up the most expensive bowling figures in his debut Test innings among the bowlers with at least one wicket, with figures of 4 for 235 against England in the first innings of the 2022 Rawalpindi Test.
Bangladesh’s Shahadat Hossain recorded the worst economy rate in a wicketless spell in his debut Test innings (minimum 60 balls bowled), delivering figures of none for 101 at an economy rate of 8.41 in 12 overs against England in the second innings of the 2005 Lord’s Test.
Australia’s Bryce McGain is the only other bowler to have an economy rate above eight in a wicketless debut Test spell, conceding 149 runs at an economy of 8.27 in 18 overs against South Africa in the 2009 Cape Town Test. This was the only time he bowled in his Test career.
List: Bowlers who picked 0 wickets in their Test Career (Min. 40 Overs)
