Flashback: The quickest to 100 Test wickets
Achieving 100 wickets in any format is a special milestone for any bowler, but to get to the feat in a quick time is a more noteworthy and exceptional success. George Lohmann of England made it look like a cakewalk and he was he became the fastest to 100 wickets in Test cricket.
The right arm medium fast bowler achieved the feat in his 16th game against South Africa in Johannesburg in the year 1896. He dismantled the Proteas batting line-up in the first innings by picking up 9/28 in 14.2 overs, which included six maidens. In reply to England’s 482, the hosts got bundled out for just 151 thanks to a historic spell bowled by Lohmann as he took 3/43 in 17 overs with four maidens in the second innings.
The English side won the match by an innings and 197 runs and Lohmann’s spectacular nine-wicket haul is still the fourth-best in the history of Test cricket. Australia’s pair of Charlie Turner and Clarrie Grimmett, England’s Sydney Barnes, and Pakistan spinner Yasir Shah are all behind Lohmann and tied on the second spot with all reaching the landmark of 100 Test scalps in their 17th match.
Lohmann, who made his debut against Australia in Manchester in the year 1886, played 18 games and took 112 wickets at an incredible average of 10.75 and a strike rate of 34.1, with his best bowling figures being 9/28 and match figures being 15/45. Nine times the pacer took a five-wicket haul and five times he grabbed ten wickets in a match. His last appearance also came against the Aussies at Lord’s in the year 1896. He took his last breath on December 01, 1901, as he passed away aged 36y 182d.
