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
| Player | Bowling Figures | Overs | Against | Venue | Match Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chuck Fleetwood-Smith (AUS) | 1/298 | 87.0 | England | The Oval | 20 Aug 1938 |
| Rajesh Chauhan (IND) | 1/276 | 78.0 | Sri Lanka | Colombo (RPS) | 02 Aug 1997 |
| Tommy Scott (WI) | 5/266 | 80.2 | England | Kingston | 03 Apr 1930 |
| Khan Mohammad (PAK) | 0/259 | 54.0 | West Indies | Kingston | 26 Feb 1958 |
| Fazal Mahmood (PAK) | 2/247 | 85.2 | West Indies | Kingston | 26 Feb 1958 |
| Mehidy Hasan Miraz (BAN) | 2/246 | 49.0 | New Zealand | Hamilton | 28 Feb 2019 |
| Rangana Herath (SL) | 3/240 | 53.3 | India | Brabourne | 02 Dec 2009 |
| Saqlain Mushtaq (PAK) | 3/237 | 50.0 | South Africa | Cape Town | 02 Jan 2003 |
| Zahid Mahmood (PAK) | 4/235 | 33.0 | England | Rawalpindi | 01 Dec 2022 |
| Stephen Boock (NZ) | 1/229 | 70.0 | Pakistan | Auckland | 24 Feb 1989 |
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.
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.
