Most economical fifers in Test cricket
Test cricket is known to asset players’ skill and patience. Among these, a few bowlers registered their names in history by their discipline to deliver the most economical spells. An economy rate depicts a bowler’s efficiency, and a low rate shows how impactful their performance is.
Recently, West Indies pacer Jayden Seales recorded a historic spell against Bangladesh in Kingston. Bowling 15.5 overs with 10 maidens, Seales conceded just five runs and claimed four wickets, finishing with an economy rate of 0.31.
This feat ranks him second in the history of Test cricket for economy rates (minimum 90 balls bowled), just behind India’s legendary Bapu Nadkarni. Nadkarni’s spell of 32 overs, including 27 maidens, conceded a mere five runs at an economy rate of 0.15 against England in 1964. Meanwhile, some names have not only picked fifers which is a huge feat for a bowler, but have also maintained their economy.
3. 5/6 – Bert Ironmonger (Australia) vs South Africa, Melbourne, 1932
On February 15, 1932, Bert Ironmonger recorded his name in history books during Australia’s victory over South Africa in Melbourne. The match which lasted only 5 hours and 53 minutes, remains the shortest completed Test in terms of playing time. South Africa were bowled out for just 36 and 45, while Australia scored 153, securing victory by an innings and 72 runs. Ironmonger’s left-arm spin dismantled South Africa as he picked 11 wickets for just 24 runs across both innings to record the most economical ten-wicket haul in Test cricket history. His first-innings figures of 5/6 in 7.2 overs were followed by a stunning 6/18 in 15.3 overs in the second gave him a spot in the history books for the ages. With an economy of just 1.16 in the match, he became one of the bowlers to have the best economical 5-fers in Test cricket.
2. 6/3 – Jermaine Lawson (West Indies) vs Bangladesh, Dhaka, 2002
Former West Indies pacer Jermaine Lawson delivered one of the most economical five-wicket hauls in Test cricket during the first Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka in 2002. His figures of 6 for 3 in just 6.5 overs in the second innings, including four maidens, left Bangladesh struggling in their second innings, as they bundled out for just 87 and the visitors registered a victory by an innings and 310 runs. Across his brief Test career, Lawson played 13 matches, claiming 51 wickets at an average of 29.64. His best figures were 7 for 78 against Australia.
1. 5/2 – Ernie Toshack (Australia) vs India, Brisbane, 1947
Australian left-arm medium pacer, Ernie Toshack holds the record of delivering one of the most economical five-wicket hauls in Test cricket history. Toshack’s best moment came against India during the first Test of the 1947 series in Brisbane. In India’s first innings, Toshack bowled just 2.3 overs and dismantled the Indian lineup with figures of 5/2. Following on, India faced the same dominance, with Toshack claiming another six wickets for just 29 runs in 17 overs. These figures contributed combined as 11 wickets for 31 runs in the end. Across his career, Toshack played 12 Tests, picking 47 wickets at an economy rate of 1.88.
