Numbers game: Fastest to 50 Test wickets in 21st Century

Kyle Jamieson, on the second day of the first Test against India, reached 50 Test wickets in just nine matches. The tall fast bowler became the fastest New Zealander to do so. He broke the record of the gun Blackcaps pacer Shane Bond who achieved the milestone in 12 matches. Making his debut last year in 2020 against India, Jamieson has already taken 20 scalps against Team India in his just fourth Test against them.

Speaking of bowlers reaching fastest to 50 wickets in this 21st century, in terms of matches, the accurate South African quick Vernon Philander reached the feat in his seventh game against New Zealand in 2012. India’s R Ashwin is equalled with Jamieson and Yasir Shah as the off-break bowler got to the milestone in his ninth match against England in 2012. Yasir Shah also recorded the same feat in his ninth Test against Sri Lanka in the year 2015.

Fastest to 50 Test wickets for New Zealand:

Kyle Jamieson (9 matches)
Shane Bond (12 matches)
Chris Martin (13 matches)

The dream run continues.#INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/MIhbm3tJWs

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) November 27, 2021

Pakistan’s pacer Shabbir Ahmed reached a half-century of wickets in his 10th Test. Two more Pakistan speedsters, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Abbas rushed to 50 scalps in their 10th match too. Australia’s Stuart Clark did the job in the same number of matches.

Pakistan bowlers dominate the record of reaching the fastest 50 scalps in this century

Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rahman, Pakistan’s spinners reached the achievement in 11 games. Danish Kaneria, Umar Gul and the latest Pakistani sensation Hasan Ali all three of them took only 12 Test matches to reach the 50 wickets mark. Pakistan has always been known for producing quality bowlers over the years. By reaching quickly to 50 wickets landmark, these all bowlers justify that fact too.

Coming back to bowlers from other countries, India’sHarbhajan Singh and Jasprit Bumrah, Australia’s Brett Lee, Sri Lanka’s Dilruwan Perara and West Indies spinner Shane Shillingford all touching the landmark in 11 games.

Fastest to 50 wickets in Tests in the 21st Century: