Taking 20 Wickets: In the history of cricket, there have been numerous remarkable individual performances, but one of the rarest feats a bowler can achieve is to take 20 wickets in a single Test match. This rare and incredible milestone highlights the dominance of a bowler in a specific match and their ability to completely overwhelm the opposition.
As of now, no bowler has ever taken 20 wickets in a single Test match. However, there have been some notable performances where bowlers have come close to achieving this feat, often taking 19 wickets across two innings or producing extraordinary match-winning bowling spells.
In this article, we will explore the closest attempts to this elusive record, look at the greatest bowling performances in Test cricket, and examine the factors that make it almost impossible to achieve such a remarkable feat.
What Would It Take to Take 20 Wickets in a Test Match?
To achieve 20 wickets in a Test match, a bowler would need to dismiss all 20 of the opposition’s batsmen in both innings of the game. While this may sound theoretically possible, it’s an extremely rare occurrence due to several factors:
- Pitch Conditions: The conditions of the pitch must favor bowlers, with the surface offering plenty of assistance to spinners or fast bowlers. In most Test matches, the pitch conditions tend to level out after a certain period, making it difficult for bowlers to dominate for the entire duration of the match.
- Team Strength: The batting lineup of the opposition team must be fragile, and the opposition should be prone to collapses. This gives the bowlers the opportunity to take multiple wickets in quick succession.
- Weather Conditions: The weather can play a crucial role. For instance, heavy rain and damp conditions can make the pitch more conducive to fast bowlers or spinners, providing the bowlers with opportunities to dismiss batsmen more frequently.
- Bowler’s Stamina and Skill: Achieving 20 wickets requires an extraordinary level of skill, stamina, and consistency. The bowler must maintain their energy and focus throughout both innings of the match, bowling long spells while keeping the opposition in check.
Despite all these challenges, there have been several performances in Test history where bowlers have come very close to this mythical number.
Notable Performances in Test Cricket: Closest to 20 Wickets
While no bowler has managed to take 20 wickets in a single Test, there have been some outstanding performances where bowlers have taken 19 wickets across both innings. Let’s take a closer look at these performances.
Table 1: Bowlers with 19 Wickets in a Test Match
| Bowler | Country | Match | Wickets Taken | Opposition | Match Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jim Laker | England | England vs Australia | 19 | Australia | 1956 | Old Trafford, Manchester |
| Tony Greig | England | England vs Australia | 19 | Australia | 1975 | Melbourne Cricket Ground |
| Clarrie Grimmett | Australia | Australia vs South Africa | 19 | South Africa | 1936 | Melbourne Cricket Ground |
1. Jim Laker’s 19 Wickets Against Australia (1956)
One of the most famous near-record performances in Test cricket came from Jim Laker during the 1956 Ashes series against Australia. Laker, one of England’s greatest spinners, was the star of the Old Trafford Test in Manchester, where he took 19 wickets in the match (9 wickets in the first innings and 10 wickets in the second innings).
- Performance Details: Laker’s 19 wickets in a Test match remains one of the best individual bowling performances in the history of the game. He became the first bowler to take 10 wickets in an innings, achieving a phenomenal match tally of 19 wickets for 90 runs.
- Match Impact: England won the match comprehensively, with Laker’s performance being the highlight. His achievement of 10 wickets in a single innings is still unmatched to this day, making him one of the legends of spin bowling.
Table 2: Jim Laker’s Historic Performance
| Innings | Wickets Taken | Runs Given | Match Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Innings | 9 | 37 | Led to Australia’s collapse, forcing a strong England lead. |
| Second Innings | 10 | 53 | Secured England’s victory with a dominant performance. |
2. Tony Greig’s 19 Wickets Against Australia (1975)
Tony Greig, an all-rounder from England, had an extraordinary match against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in 1975. Greig took 19 wickets in the Test match, with 7 wickets in the first innings and 12 wickets in the second innings.
- Performance Details: Greig’s performance in the match remains one of the most remarkable for an all-rounder. His ability to break partnerships and dominate the Australian batsmen contributed to England’s win in the match.
- Match Impact: Though Greig’s performance was historic, the match was marked by the intense competition between the two nations in the Ashes series, with England coming out on top due to his bowling heroics.
Table 3: Tony Greig’s Key Stats from the 1975 Test
| Innings | Wickets Taken | Runs Given | Match Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Innings | 7 | 56 | Delivered early breakthroughs, putting Australia on the back foot. |
| Second Innings | 12 | 78 | Led England to a strong position by dismissing Australia in the second innings. |
3. Clarrie Grimmett’s 19 Wickets Against South Africa (1936)
Clarrie Grimmett, one of Australia’s greatest spinners, took 19 wickets in the 1936 Test match between Australia and South Africa. Grimmett’s performance is considered a masterclass in spin bowling, with his ability to extract turn and bounce from the pitch playing a crucial role in his success.
- Performance Details: Grimmett’s 19 wickets came at a crucial time in the 1936-37 Ashes series, where Australia were dominant. His 19 wickets (9 wickets in the first innings and 10 wickets in the second innings) helped Australia secure an easy win against South Africa.
- Match Impact: Grimmett’s spell helped Australia dominate the series and set up a win. His bowling is often cited as one of the finest in the history of Test cricket.
Table 4: Clarrie Grimmett’s Stats in the 1936 Test Match
| Innings | Wickets Taken | Runs Given | Match Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Innings | 9 | 50 | Played a key role in restricting South Africa’s batting. |
| Second Innings | 10 | 70 | Ensured a dominant win with his controlling spin. |
Why Is Taking 20 Wickets in a Test Match So Rare?
- Nature of the Game: In Test cricket, a match typically lasts for 5 days, with two innings per team. For a bowler to take 20 wickets, both batting sides must collapse twice, which is not common. Typically, both teams score enough runs to avoid such dramatic collapses.
- Pitch Conditions: Most Test matches are played on pitches that tend to deteriorate over time, but they are not always conducive to consistent wicket-taking. A bowler may dominate one innings but find it difficult to repeat that performance in the second innings, especially when the opposition has adjusted to the conditions.
- Team and Opposition Strength: Teams tend to have strong batting lineups in modern cricket, making it more difficult for bowlers to dismiss all 20 batsmen. Bowlers must also face challenges from modern-day batsmen who are equipped with better techniques and equipment to handle the pressures of Test cricket.
Conclusion
While no bowler has yet managed to take 20 wickets in a single Test match, the closest performances by players like Jim Laker, Tony Greig, and Clarrie Grimmett have left a lasting impact on cricket history. These extraordinary feats demonstrate the skill and resilience of bowlers who can dominate an entire match and lead their teams to victory.
Taking 20 wickets in a Test match is a feat that may remain out of reach for the foreseeable future due to the nature of modern cricket, but the performances that have come close to this mark will continue to inspire future generations of cricketers to push the boundaries of what is possible in the sport.