Best bowling figures at The Oval

The longest format of the sport often pushes players to perform at the best level. While it is quite challenging for bowlers to get breakthroughs on a consistent basis, there have been quite a few who have outrightly dominated at certain venues. In this piece, we take a look at the top three cricketers with the best bowling figures at the Oval-

3. Sydney Barnes (ENG) | 8/29

England’s Sydney Barnes occupies the third spot in this elite list as he returned with eight scalps during a match against South Africa in 1912. Notably, in the first innings, he recorded a five-wicket haul for 28 runs in his 21 overs. Later he followed it with eight wickets in his second innings for 29 runs in his 16.4 overs at a stunning economy of 1.74.

2. Mutthiah Muralidaran (SL) | 9/65

Arguably one of the greatest spinners, Sri Lanka’s Muthiah Muralidaran, recorded magnificent bowling figures in an innings at The Oval against the English side. It was in One-off Test in 1998 when Muralidaran eclipsed Barnes’ record with an impeccable nine wickets for just 65 runs in his 54.2 overs. Impressively, he got seven scalps in the first innings thereby taking 16 wickets in the contest.

1. Devon Malcolm (ENG) | 9/57

The English speedster holds the record for the best bowling figures at The Oval in London when he claimed nine scalps for 57 runs. This impressive feat came against South Africa during the third Test in 1994. Interestingly, the pacer only got one wicket in the first innings, however, he came all guns blazing in the second and returned with nine wickets for 57 runs in his 16.3 overs of the contest at an economy of 3.45. Malcolm was adjudged player of the match in England’s eight-wicket win against the Proteas.