Top 5 best bowling figures by New Zealand bowlers in test cricket

Only one New Zealand bowler has picked up a 10-wicket haul in an innings in test cricket.

When we talk about cricket heroes, the spotlight generally is on the batsmen. However, what should always be remembered is that a single bowling spell can change the momentum of the game. One exceptional spell with the ball can dismantle a significant chunk of the opposition’s batting line-up, shifting the tide quickly.

In New Zealand’s test cricket history, bowlers have often turned up to be their heroes, delivering match-winning performances. On seam-friendly pitches at home, New Zealand’s fast bowlers have enjoyed tremendous success but the nation has also seen a few spinners rise to the occasion in away tests.

In this article, we will look at the top five best bowling figures by New Zealand bowlers in test cricket.

Top five best bowling figures by New Zealand bowlers in test cricket

5. Chris Cairns – 7/27 vs West Indies, Hamilton (1999)

Chris Cairns, one of New Zealand’s greatest all-rounders of all time, holds the record for the fifth-best bowling figures by a Kiwi bowler in test cricket. Cairns’ heroics came against the West Indies at Hamilton in 1999.

In a spell that saw the West Indies batting lineup crumble, Cairns took seven wickets while conceding just 27 runs, bowling out the visitors for a small score of 97. This performance by Cairns came after New Zealand had managed to gain a small first innings lead.

Cairns was named Player of the Match for his brilliant all-round display that saw him taking 10 wickets and scoring 72 runs in the game. His batting in the first innings was key to New Zealand gaining the lead. New Zealand won the game by nine wickets.

4. Matt Henry – 7/23 vs South Africa, Christchurch (2022)

Ranking fourth on this list is Matt Henry’s performance against South Africa in Christchurch in 2022. The game at Christchurch saw New Zealand completely dominate the visitors.

South Africa were blown away by Matt Henry’s spell in the first innings where he took 7/23 restricting them to just 95 runs. New Zealand posted 482 in their first innings and took a mammoth lead.

Henry contributed with the bat as well with an unbeaten half-century (58*). He was named Player of the Match for his nine wickets in the game after New Zealand won the game by an innings and 276 runs.

3. Sir Richard Hadlee – 7/23 vs India, Wellington (1976)

Hailed as New Zealand’s greatest-ever fast bowler, Sir Richard Hadlee produced a magical spell of 7/23 against India in 1976 in Wellington.

Though India had posted a fighting total of 220 in the first innings, their second innings was a complete horror show with Hadlee’s brilliance bundling them out for just 84 runs. He tore through the Indian lineup with pace and swing, guiding New Zealand to a victory by an innings and 33 runs.

Hadlee’s effort helped New Zealand level the three-match series 1-1.

2. Sir Richard Hadlee – 9/52 vs Australia, Brisbane (1985)

Hadlee’s 9/52 against Australia in 1985 is still regarded as one of the best bowling performances in test cricket’s history. These are the second-best bowling figures by a New Zealand bowler in test cricket.

On a bouncy Brisbane pitch, Hadlee produced an exhibition of seam bowling, shaking the Australian batting line-up with 9/52. Hadlee’s effort meant Australia were restricted to 179 in the first innings. He followed it up with 6/71 in Australia’s second innings, finishing with 15 wickets in the game.

New Zealand won the game by an innings and 41 runs with Hadlee being the star of the show. Hadlee’s 9/52 stands as the best bowling figures by a New Zealand bowler in Australia.

1. Ajaz Patel – 10/119 vs India, Wankhede (2021)

Ajaz Patel wrote his name in cricket history by becoming only the third bowler in test cricket to take all ten wickets in an innings. His remarkable spell of 10/119 came against India at the Wankhede Stadium in 2021. Patel’s left-arm spin helped New Zealand bowl India out for 325 in their first innings.

However, Patel’s historic bowling performance went in vain due to New Zealand’s drastic batting collapse in the first innings where they were bundled out for just 62 runs. India eventually won the game comfortably by 372 runs.

(All stats updated till 15th October, 2024)

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