The year 2024 has been a remarkable one for bowlers in Test cricket, with pacers and spinners alike seizing the spotlight. On challenging pitches and under intense pressure, bowlers have consistently outperformed expectations, tilting matches in their teams’ favor. From reverse swing on dry pitches to turn and bounce in spinner-friendly conditions, they have exploited every nuance of the game. The dominance of bowlers has led to thrilling contests, where even modest totals have been fiercely defended. This resurgence has reignited the charm of Test cricket, where skill and strategy are paramount.
Record-breaking performances
Throughout the year, Test cricket has seen bowlers produce some of the most jaw-dropping displays of dominance in a single innings. With unrelenting accuracy and mastery of their craft, they have delivered spells that turned games on their heads. A few performances stood out for their sheer magnitude, as bowlers dismantled entire batting line-ups with ease. These record-breaking feats have not only secured crucial wins for their teams but have also etched these performances into the annals of cricket history. Each spell was a testament to the grit, skill, and resilience that defines the modern-day Test bowler.
Top 5 best bowling performances in Test cricket 2024
5. Washington Sundar – 7 Wickets vs New Zealand
In the second Test of New Zealand’s tour of India, held in Pune in October 2024, Indian spinner Washington Sundar delivered a spellbinding performance. Sundar claimed 7 wickets for 59 runs in 23.1 overs during the first innings, marking his career-best figures. In the second innings, he added another 4 wickets, taking his match tally to 11. Despite India’s 113-run loss, Sundar’s bowling was the standout performance, cementing his status as one of India’s key players.
4. Mitchell Santner – 7 Wickets vs India
In the same match in Pune, New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner outshone the opposition with a remarkable display of all-round bowling prowess. Santner captured 7 wickets for 53 runs in just 19.3 overs in the first innings, his career-best figures. He followed it up with 6 wickets in the second innings, taking his match tally to an astounding 13 wickets. This achievement made him the third New Zealand player with the most wickets in a Test match. Santner’s incredible effort earned him the Player of the Match award and played a crucial role in New Zealand’s victory.
3. Gus Atkinson – 7 Wickets vs West Indies
In a sensational debut at Lord’s in July 2024, England’s Gus Atkinson made an unforgettable entrance to Test cricket. The young fast bowler stunned the West Indies by taking 7 wickets for 45 runs in 12 overs during the first innings. Atkinson’s brilliance didn’t stop there; he followed up with a five-wicket haul in the second innings, finishing the match with 12 wickets. His Player of the Match award was a testament to a debut that will be remembered for years to come.
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2. Marco Jansen – 7 Wickets vs Sri Lanka
South African fast bowler Marco Jansen delivered one of the most economical and effective performances of the year in Durban during Sri Lanka’s tour in November 2024. Jansen dismantled the Sri Lankan batting lineup with figures of 7 wickets for just 13 runs in 56.5 overs in the first innings. He added another 4 wickets in the second innings, bringing his match total to 11 wickets. Jansen’s efforts not only earned him the Player of the Match award but also led the Proteas to a commanding 233-run victory.
1. Noman Ali – 8 Wickets vs England
The standout performance of 2024 belonged to Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Noman Ali, who produced a match-winning effort against England in Multan during October 2024. Noman’s 8-wicket haul in the second innings was a masterclass in spin bowling, complemented by his 3 wickets in the first innings for a total of 11 wickets in the match. His heroics secured a 152-run victory for Pakistan and earned him the distinction of achieving the best bowling figures of the year.
