Spectators did not get many opportunities to witness many Test matches in the year 2021, but the bowlers made the game of cricket exciting for the viewers by bowling brilliant spells. Some newcomers have also made their mark in the oldest format of the game.With exciting opportunities to grab in 2022 for these players, let’s have a look at the top 5 Test bowling spells of 2021.
Have a look at top 5 standout performances in 2021.
1. Ajaz Patel (10/119 vs India, Mumbai)
New Zealand's left-arm-spinner Ajaz Patel managed to be the only third bowler in Test cricket to take 10-fer in a test-inning. The left-arm spinner achieved this record in the 2nd Test versus India at Mumbai. The 33-year-old secured the position with England's Jim Laker and India's Anil Kumble to scalp 10 wickets in a Test inning. He bowled 47.5 overs, giving away 119 runs for his ten-wicket-haul. Notably, India's Anil Kumble, also a spinner, was the last player to pick 10 wickets in an inning. Notably, Kumble earned the milestone in a Test in Delhi versus Pakistan in 1999.
2. Kyle Jamieson (5/31 vs India, Southampton)
During the first ever World Test Championship, the final was played between India and New Zealand. India's batting maestros wrangled against kiwi pacer Kyle Jamieson. The pacer’s 2nd 5-fer against India in three Tests managed to pick crucial wickets to make Kohli’s team suffer in seaming conditions. Jamieson ended the first innings with brilliant bowling figures of 22-12-31-5. The 6-feet-8-inch tall Jamieson, who decimated Indian batting order during their last New Zealand tour, again proved his mettle and exploited India’s batting defences.Notably, the 27-year-old became the man of the match of the WTC final, helping New Zealand to clinch the title.
3. Jasprit Bumrah (5/64 vs England, Nottingham)
Indian spearhead Jasprit Bumrah managed to get his name up on the honours board at Trent Bridge after the right-arm-pacer scalped a 5-fer during the first Test against England. The 1st 5-fer of Bumrah was also during their last England tour during his maiden test match in 2018. He managed to take the crucial wicket of England's Joe Root for 109. Additionally, the Indian seamer also grabbed the important wickets of Dom Sibley, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, and Stuart Broad. The clash was put to an end in a draw with rain playing spoilsport ,dripping out the last day of the test match but the Indian pacer got back his rhythm and that was a huge boost for Team India.
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4. Pat Cummins (5/38 vs England, Gabba)
Australia’s current skipper Pat Cummins secured a 5-fer on Day 1 of the 1st extravaganza Ashes Test at The Gabba. Notably, the Australian pacer fixed his place with an amazing bunch of bowlers who have grabbed the chance and secured the milestone as skipper. The 28-year-old was playing his 1st Test match as the skipper of Australia since the previous skipper Tim Paine move down from the responsibility amid controversy during the month of November. Cummins ended the first innings with the bowling stats of 5/38 in 13.1 overs.Talking about the records, the pacer also became the first bowler since Afghanistan's Rashid Khan in 2019 to take a 5-fer in debut Test as skipper. In totality, the Australian pace-spearhead managed to join a table of elite bowler-captains to have scalped a five-wicket haul which includes some big names with the likes of Kumble, Walsh, Daniel Vettori etc.
5. Axar Patel, Ahmedabad (6/38 and 5/32 vs England, Ahmedabad)
The left-arm spin all rounder from India, Axar Patel, finally made his long-awaited Test debut for India in February of 2021.It was indeed a dream start for the Gujarat-based all-rounder. During his 2nd Test match, at the world’s largest stadium.i.e Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad, Patel decimated the England batting line-up. He managed to finish his spell with brilliant bowling stats 6/38 and 5/32 in the day/night Test. Notably,with his remarkable performances, Axar scalped 27 wickets in the series. On that note, this is the most wickets scalped by an Indian bowler in his debut Test series.
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