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Cricket is a sport where batters try to score runs and bowlers try to get them out. This article will tell you about some of the best bowling performances ever, where the bowler took many wickets in a short time and completely changed the game. We will see the top ten wicket-break bowling of all time in cricket.
1. Muttiah Muralitharan: 9 for 53 vs England (1998)
Cricket legend Muttiah Muralitharan delivered a spectacular bowling performance that cemented his status as a master spinner. Facing a powerful England batting lineup at Galle, England seemed comfortable at 204 runs for only 2 wickets down. But then, Muralitharan turned the tables. His doosra, a delivery that deceives batsmen by spinning away from right-handers, proved to be unplayable. England’s batsmen fell one after another, completely confused by Muralitharan’s trickery. He ripped through the remaining batting order, taking an incredible 9 wickets for just 53 runs. This spell is considered the most impressive in Test cricket history, not just for the number of wickets taken, but for the incredibly low average runs conceded per wicket.
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2. Anil Kumble: 10 for 74 vs Pakistan (1999)
India’s spin legend, Anil Kumble rewrote history at Feroz Shah Kotla in 1999 with a spell of sheer dominance. Pakistan who boasted a strong batting order seemed on track for a big total. However, Kumble single-handedly turned the tide. Bowling with relentless accuracy and extracting sharp turns, he dismantled the Pakistani batting. This incredible feat, achieved by taking all ten wickets in a single innings, remains a defining moment in Indian cricket history.
3. Jim Laker: 10 for 53 vs Australia (1956)
This spell by the English off-spinner Jim Laker remains a timeless classic. Playing at Old Trafford, Laker produced a masterclass in control and variation. He exploited damp conditions to perfection, pitching the ball on a good length and getting it to turn prodigiously. The bewildered Australian batsmen fell victim to his mastery, with Laker achieving the incredible, and at the time record-breaking, feat of taking all ten wickets in a Test innings for the first time since 1888. This remarkable bowling display secured a comfortable victory for England.
4. Shane Warne: 7 for 55 vs Ashes Debut (1993)
The “Ball of the Century” catapulted Shane Warne into the cricketing spotlight. Facing England in his Ashes debut at Old Trafford, Warne bamboozled Mike Gatting with a delivery that defied logic. The ball pitched outside leg stump and spun impossibly from leg to off, leaving Gatting rooted to the spot. Gatting, completely befuddled, could only manage a bewildered prod as the ball clipped his bails. This audacious delivery set the tone for a match-winning spell. Warne picked up seven wickets, announcing himself as a magician with the ball.
5. Glenn McGrath: 8 for 87 vs South Africa (1997)
Glenn McGrath, the quintessential fast bowler, showcased his lethal accuracy on a lively Perth pitch. Swinging the ball with precision and bowling at a brisk pace, he made life a nightmare for the South African batsmen. Wickets fell at regular intervals, and McGrath single-handedly bundled out the Proteas for a paltry 152. This demolition put Australia in a commanding position (and you could add: “paving the way for a comfortable Australian victory”).
6. Richard Hadlee: 9 for 52 vs India (1985)
New Zealand’s fast bowling hero, Richard Hadlee, bowled an amazing spell in Napier. India started well batting first, but Hadlee came on and surprised them with his super fast bowling and the ball swinging a lot. He took full advantage of the conditions at the beachside ground, tearing apart the Indian batsmen one by one. His incredible bowling, taking 9 wickets for only 52 runs, completely changed the game. In the end, New Zealand won the match by a big margin.
7. Malcolm Marshall: 8 for 85 vs England (1984)
Malcolm Marshall, a super scary fast bowler back in his day, ripped through the English batsmen at Headingley. His bowling balls were like firecrackers – super fast and hard to handle! He bowled well and fast, taking 8 wickets for only 85 runs. The English team just couldn’t handle his bowling and their batsmen kept getting out.
8. Wasim Akram: 7 for 48 vs India (1990)
Pakistan’s bowling champion, Wasim Akram, put on a show with his amazing bowling skills in Lahore. India needed a decent score to win, but Akram’s deliveries were like magic tricks! He could make the ball swing in any direction, completely confusing the Indian batters. Akram took an incredible 7 wickets for only 48 runs, and India just couldn’t score enough runs to win the match.
9. Mitchell Starc: 6 for 28 vs New Zealand (2015 World Cup Final)
In the white-hot heat of the World Cup final, Mitchell Starc delivered a masterclass in swing bowling. Facing New Zealand at the MCG, Starc took full advantage of the swinging conditions. He unleashed a fiery spell, swinging the ball prodigiously and leaving the Kiwi batsmen exposed. His crucial wickets of big hitters Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill in quick succession put New Zealand on the back foot early. Starc’s dominant spell restricted them to a manageable total, paving the way for a thrilling Australian victory.
10. Lasith Malinga: 6 for 38 vs South Africa (2009 Champions Trophy Final)
Lasith Malinga, Sri Lanka’s “Slinga Slinger,” became a hero in the electric atmosphere of the Champions Trophy final. Facing South Africa in Johannesburg, Malinga’s unique bowling style, full of twists and turns, and his deadly toe-crushers (yorkers) were impossible for the Proteas batsmen to handle. He kept taking wickets at key moments, completely stopping South Africa’s chase in its tracks. Malinga’s phenomenal spell of 6 wickets for just 38 runs was instrumental in securing Sri Lanka a historic Champions Trophy victory.
These ten spells represent the pinnacle of bowling brilliance in cricket history. From the guile of spin wizards like Muralitharan and Kumble to the raw pace of Akhtar and Marshall, these bowlers defied technique and temperament to leave their mark on the game. The artistry and skill displayed in such spells continue to inspire generations of young cricketers, solidifying their place in the pantheon of cricketing legends.
