Top 5 best bowling figures in day-night test matches

The first day-night test match was played between Australia and New Zealand in 2015.

The introduction of the day-night test cricket in 2015 has been successful in attracting larger crowds. One unique feature of the day-night tests is the use of a pink ball, which offers more lateral movement for fast bowlers than the traditional red ball.

The first day-night test took place between Australia and New Zealand in 2015 at the Adelaide Oval. The hosts edged out the Kiwis in a low-scoring thriller to register a three-wicket win in the historic test.

While the pink ball provides significant assistance to seamers, a few spinners have also delivered match-winning performances in day-night tests. In this article, we will take a look at the top five best bowling figures in day-night test matches.

Top five best bowling figures (innings) in day-night test matches:

5. Mark Wood – 6/37 vs Australia, 2022

English speedster Mark Wood delivered an outstanding spell in the fifth test of the Ashes 2021-22 series in Hobart. Having a 155-run lead in the first innings, the Australian second innings was derailed by Wood’s pace.

Wood’s bowling figures of 6/37 helped England bowl out Australia for just 155 runs in the second innings. Despite Wood’s heroics, England lost the test by 146 runs.

4. Trent Boult – 6/32 vs England, 2018

Trent Boult’s brilliance in a day-night encounter came against England in 2018 in Auckland. Bowling on a pace-friendly wicket at Eden Park, Boult tore through the English batting lineup, delivering a sensational spell of 6/32 in the first innings.

Boult helped the hosts bowl out England for a low total of 58 runs. The Kiwis ultimately won the game by a huge margin of an innings and 49 runs.

3. Pat Cummins – 6/23 vs Sri Lanka, 2019

Pat Cummins produced an unplayable spell of 6/23 against Sri Lanka at the Gabba in 2019 in a pink-ball test match. Cummins ran through the Sri Lankan middle order to restrict them to 144 runs in the first innings.

Australia won the test by an innings and 40 runs. Cummins was named Player of the Match for picking up 10 wickets in the game.

2. Shamar Joseph – 7/68 vs Australia, 2024

Shamar Joseph produced one of the most iconic bowling performances in West Indies’ history against Australia in 2024 at the Gabba in a day-night test match.

Defending a low total of 216 runs in the fourth innings, Shamar ran through the Australian batting lineup, registering 7/68 in his 12 overs.

What makes his performance standout is that he bowled with a toe injury. Shamar was named Player of the Match for his memorable spell.

1. Devendra Bishoo – 8/49 vs Pakistan, 2016

Devendra Bishoo holds the record for the best bowling figures in an innings in a day-night test match for his 8/49 against Pakistan in 2016 in Dubai. Bishoo’s eight-wicket haul bundled out the hosts for just 123 runs in the second innings.

Bishoo finished the game with excellent bowling figures of 10/174 across both innings. Despite the leg spinner’s record-breaking efforts with the ball, West Indies lost the game by 46 runs.

(All stats are updated till 4th December 2024)

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