Top 5 worst bowling figures in an innings of a Test Match

Top 5 worst bowling figures in an innings of a Test Match: Bowling in test matches is one of the hardest jobs ever. One may go wicketless, spells after spells, but the belief should not be lost that he can pick up wickets. Some bowlers in their first few tests, try a lot of variations in a desperation to get wickets, but end up in being hit across all parts of the ground. Let us have a look at the top 5 cricketers, who have the worst bowling figures in an innings in a test match.

5. Fazal Mahmood (Pakistan): 85.2-20-247-2 vs West Indies, 1958

5th in the list of the bowlers with worst bowling figures in an innings in a Test Match is the Pakistani medium-fast pacer, Fazal Mahmood. Fazal was a successful bowler for Pakistan, appearing in 34 tests and he picked up 139 wickets at an average of 24.70 including 10 five-wicket hauls. However he achieved this unwanted feat on 26th February 1958, against the mighty West Indies in Kingston. However, if we consider the number of overs he bowled in the innings, the runs conceded are quite decent.

4. Khan Mohammad (Pakistan): 54.0-5-259-0 vs West Indies, 1958

4th in the list of the bowlers with worst bowling figures in an innings in a Test Match is another Pakistani medium-fast pacer, Khan Mohammad. He achieved the unwanted feat in the same match and same innings as that of his fellow-pacer, Fazal Mahmood. He went on to conced 259 runs, without picking up a single wicket at an economy close to 5, which is considered very high in test matches. He broke into the international stage at a very early age, but retired prematurely after this tour of West Indies.

3. Tommy Scott (West Indies): 80.2-13-266-5 vs England, 1930

This record is traced way back in 1930, when West Indies toured England. Tommy Scott, who is a batsman apart from a part-time leg spinner is the owner of this record as he went on to concede 266 runs from 80.2 overs. He also picked up 5 wickets in the match. In a career, that spanned 8 tests, Scott picked up 22 wickets that included this lone 5 wicket haul at an average of 42.04

2. Rajesh Chauhan (India): 78.0-8-276-1 vs Sri Lanka, 1997

The only Indian in the list is Rajesh Chauhan. He holds the 2nd spot in the list of the bowlers with worst bowling figures in an innings in a Test Match. He conceded 276 runs from the 78 overs he bowled against Sri Lanka in the match played at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. The match is remembered as one of the high-scoring tests. India declared their innings at 8 for 537, to which Sri Lanka replied by scoring 6 for 952. Sanath Jayasuriya scored 340 in that match.

1. Leslie O’Brien Fleetwood-Smith (Australia): 87.0-11-298-1, 1938

At the top of the list is the Australian left-arm Chinaman bowler, Leslie O’Brien Fleetwood-Smith. He achieved this feat against England during The Ashes Series of 1938. England led by Wally Hammond, scored 901 runs in the first innings as Australia lost by an innings and 579 runs. Len Hutton, the English opener scored 364 runs in the match and Australia managed a total of 324 runs from the two innings.

*All stats updated till 27th December 2014.