Best Bowling Figures in an Innings in WTC: When it comes to Test cricket, a single spell of a bowler can change the direction of the entire match. Similar moments were seen in the ICC World Test Championship also where bowlers bowled the best bowling figures of their career in an innings and took full responsibility for winning the match. This list contains the same 7 bowlers who bowled the most impactful spells in a single innings during the WTC. These were not just bowling, these were spells that could write the story of the entire match. Let’s take a look at the most amazing individual bowling performances of the WTC.
Best Bowling Figures in an Innings: ICC World Test Championship Stars Who Changed the Game
1. Ajaz Patel – 10/119 vs India (Wankhede, 2021)
- Overs: 47.5 | Mdns: 12 | Runs: 119 | Wickets: 10 | Economy: 2.48
Ajaz Patel did what only two bowlers had been able to do before in the history of cricket at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, taking 10 wickets in an innings. This performance is counted not just among the most iconic spells of WTC but also of Test cricket.
2. Sajid Khan – 8/42 vs Bangladesh (Mirpur, 2021)
- Overs: 15.0 | Mdns: 4 | Runs: 42 | Wickets: 8 | Economy: 2.80
Sajid Khan destroyed Bangladesh with his off-spin in a crucial match of the WTC. Taking 8 wickets is difficult at any level, and in this match, his tight line and sharp turn gave Pakistan a clear edge.
3. Noman Ali – 8/46 vs England (Multan, 2024)
- Overs: 16.3 | Mdns: 1 | Runs: 46 | Wickets: 8 | Economy: 2.78
Noman Ali’s spell against a batting-heavy team like England is one of the most underrated gems of the WTC. His control and accuracy on a turning track broke England’s middle order.
4. Nathan Lyon – 8/64 vs India (Indore, 2023)
- Overs: 23.3 | Mdns: 1 | Runs: 64 | Wickets: 8 | Economy: 2.72
Nathan Lyon showed his experience in the Indore Test. His spell against India was not just about wickets, but it was a masterclass in timing and impacting the match situation.
5. Marco Jansen – 7/13 vs Sri Lanka (Durban, 2024)
- Overs: 6.5 | Mdns: 1 | Runs: 13 | Wickets: 7 | Economy: 1.90
An explosive left-arm seamer spell where wickets fell without any resistance. Marco Jansen’s bowling performance in the WTC is an example of how pace and swing, if hit at the right places, can collapse any team.
6. Matt Henry – 7/23 vs South Africa (Christchurch, 2022)
- Overs: 15.0 | Mdns: 7 | Runs: 23 | Wickets: 7 | Economy: 1.53
This spell of Matt Henry was the result of discipline and patience. Tight channel bowling and the South African batting lineup falling under pressure made a perfect combo, which gave New Zealand control of the match.
7. Keshav Maharaj – 7/32 vs Bangladesh (Durban, 2022)
- Overs: 10.0 | Mdns: 0 | Runs: 32 | Wickets: 7 | Economy: 3.20
Maharaj dominated Bangladesh with spin in the last innings. Maximum damage in a short spell shows that match-winning performance sometimes comes from impact and not from a long spell.
Impact of Bowling Legends in the ICC World Test Championship
These top 7 best bowling figures in an innings of the ICC World Test Championship are those moments where the bowlers changed the narrative of the game with their solo effort. Be it Ajaz Patel’s 10-wicket haul or Jansen’s express 7-for, these spells are not just stats but the soul of Test cricket. It is because of these performances that a format like WTC became exciting. If you want to see bowling brilliance, you must watch these matches.
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