Best bowling performance ever in a Test match to defend a low target in the fourth innings?

[Harsh Thakor]

1.Bob Willis 8-43 v Australia at Leeds in 1981

defending target of 130 runs

Simply intensity,determination,hostility and grit in sport at it's supreme height with Willis literally resembling a cocoon of concentration.Willis banged the ball in on a wicket that was not a true test pitch to extract the uneven bounce.His final over before lunch was the launching pad of one of test cricket's most sensational turnabouts.Made the ball rear disconcertingly from a good length to dismiss Trevor Chappell,Kim Hughes and Graham Yallop.Australia were coasting to their victory target of 130 at 55-1 before Willis caused this blitzkreig.



2.Curtly Ambrose-6-24 at Trinidad v England in 1994

defending target of 194 runs

Resembled a bulldozer destroying a house or a dynamite exploding..Accuracy at it's supreme zenith looking closest to a bowling machine.The batsmen simply could not decide whether to play back or forward.




3.Curtly Ambrose 6-34 v South Africa at Barbados in 1992

defending target of 201runs.



On a broken wicket Ambrose simply blew out the top order of the Proteas batting .79 run adrift from the winning target with 8 wickets in hand South Africa collpased like a pack of cards.



4.Fani Devilllers 6-43 v Australia at Sydney in 1993-94.defending target of 117 runs

Supreme pace bowling skill.





5.Wasim Akram 5-45 /Waqar Younus 5-22 v New Zealand in 1993 at Hamilton

defending target of 133 runs

art of reverse swing at height rarely seen in cricket.pace bowling perfection in tandem at it's supreme height.








6.Shaun Pollock 5-37 -v Pakistan at Faisalabad in 1997 in 3rd test.defending target of 146 runs.


Fast -medium bowling skill at its supreme level.







7.Jaggaval Srinath 6-21 v South Africa at Ahmedabad in 1996

defending target of 170 runs.


South Africa seemed home and dry at 96-4 before Srinath intervened like a thunderstorm interrupting or a Jack the ripper coming on the scene..Brilliantly exploited the uneven bounce prevailing and produced lateral movement both ways.




8.Ian Botham 5-11 at Edgbaston in 1981 v Australia


defending target of 151 runs


Australia were coasting home at 114-5 chasing a target of 151 runs before Botham came in storming in like a Greek God to pull of the houdini act.It appeared as though lightning or energy came from now here or a spirit being ressurected.Skipper Mike Brearley forced Botham to bowl who initially refused and thus played an important role in this win.



9.Kapil Dev 5-28 at Melbourne in 1980-81


defending target of 151 runs


On the final day India pulled of a miracle defending a meagre 143 runs with Kapil Dev bowling as though the spirits posessed him.




10.Ian Bishop 4-22/Frankly Rose 3-36 v India at Barbados in 1997

defending target of 120 runs


On a broken wicket the pacemen were as fiery as ever and perfectly exploited conditions.

 

[ManFan]

I would rate Fanie's and Kapil's performances above others.

They did not need anybody else to pull their weight and won on their own.

 

[AFM]

Abdur Rehman in Abu Dahbi against England deserves a mention on the list.

 

[Junaids]

Fanie De Villiers!

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Fanie De Villiers!

Why not Bob Willis?Considering the situation of the game and intensity.Or Ambrose?Like answer

 

[Harsh Thakor]

I would rate Fanie's and Kapil's performances above others.

They did not need anybody else to pull their weight and won on their own.

Bob Willis won it virtually on his own at Leeds in 1981.Do you not agree?Or Ambrose in 1994?

 

[Junaids]

Why not Bob Willis?Considering the situation of the game and intensity.Or Ambrose?Like answer

Willis and Ambrose triumphed against moderate batting, as did Wasim and Waqar at Hamilton, which was the most thrilling turnaround from 93-3 chasing just 129 to win.

But Fanie De Villiers demolished a superb Aussie batting line-up.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Willis and Ambrose triumphed against moderate batting, as did Wasim and Waqar at Hamilton, which was the most thrilling turnaround from 93-3 chasing just 129 to win.

But Fanie De Villiers demolished a superb Aussie batting line-up.

I see.Good point.What about English team ambrose bowled to or South African team?

 

[ManFan]

Bob Willis won it virtually on his own at Leeds in 1981.Do you not agree?Or Ambrose in 1994?

Willis did it against an Aussie lineup that was average.

The only recognizable batsmen were Border and Hughes.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Willis did it against an Aussie lineup that was average.

The only recognizable batsmen were Border and Hughes.

however remember the situation or circumstances.55-1 chasing 130 and team 1-0 down.

 

[ManFan]

however remember the situation or circumstances.55-1 chasing 130 and team 1-0 down.

It was a great performance which is why we remember it.

But its overly romanticized in my opinion.

 

[BlueDoritos]

Abdur Rehman in Abu Dahbi against England deserves a mention on the list.

Ghar ki murghi Daal barabar.

Otherwise he would've mentioned that match.

 

[MMHS]

Bob Willis & FdV are top 2 spots for me. FdV obviously because of away Test (in AUS, before 3rd country era) & a better batting order. But, Bob also won that Test after following on and having to overcome a personal struggle. He was not in rhythm, struggling from no ball issues and didn’t had a good time under previous Captain (the man instrumental in that series win).

One more I should mention is Shoaib at Multan against Poms, which might come in top 10.


There are few other examples before 1970s era, but i’ll take this list.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Bob Willis & FdV are top 2 spots for me. FdV obviously because of away Test (in AUS, before 3rd country era) & a better batting order. But, Bob also won that Test after following on and having to overcome a personal struggle. He was not in rhythm, struggling from no ball issues and didn’t had a good time under previous Captain (the man instrumental in that series win).

One more I should mention is Shoaib at Multan against Poms, which might come in top 10.


There are few other examples before 1970s era, but i’ll take this list.

Happy with Ambrose?right up there with top?

 

[Ab Fan]

Dont recall much in recent times.

I think in 2004 series final test between Australia and India, Harbhajan took 5-29 and Australia were all out at 93 while chasing 106.

 

[ManFan]

Dont recall much in recent times.

I think in 2004 series final test between Australia and India, Harbhajan took 5-29 and Australia were all out at 93 while chasing 106.

That's a forgotten classic amongst cricket fans.

 

[Savage]

Dont recall much in recent times.

I think in 2004 series final test between Australia and India, Harbhajan took 5-29 and Australia were all out at 93 while chasing 106.

It was a dead rubber Test and pitch was Raging rank turner.

 

[A-1]

Danish kaneria vs england (2005)

This was supposedly the best england team (ashes winner) under vaughan. I was there, I watched the entire spectacle live and I will never forget that bowling performance from kaneria (and akhtar). That pitch was a graveyard for bowlers.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/14738/scorecard/225443/pakistan-vs-england-1st-test/

 

[WengerOut]

It was a dead rubber Test and pitch was Raging rank turner.

Almost every performance rated here were done on helpful conditions. You almost need that while defending low scores.

 

[WengerOut]

Franklin Rose v India at Barbados 1997 ??

 

[Savage]

Almost every performance rated here were done on helpful conditions. You almost need that while defending low scores.

But it would've been rated higher had it not been raging rank turner.

I will pick Jadeja 6-fer against England on last day/session of 5th Test 2016 over that performance.

 

[Ab Fan]

It was a dead rubber Test and pitch was Raging rank turner.

Yes but you have to consider that they were chasing a meagre 106 and hence a great performance.

Dead rubber I agree though.

 

[Ab Fan]

But it would've been rated higher had it not been raging rank turner.

I will pick Jadeja 6-fer against England on last day/session of 5th Test 2016 over that performance.

OP has asked while defending low target.

 

[Ab Fan]

^in fourth inning.

 

[Savage]

OP has asked while defending low target.

I know

I only insinuated that I've seen better bowling performance to defend low score.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Franklin Rose v India at Barbados 1997 ??

Included Rose with Bishop.re check.

 

[Adijazz1706]

Fanie or Willis, England had been thrashed in the first innings

 

[Mainul]

No 6 should be excluded.I saw that match live. Pakistan lost that match by usual Pakistani brainfed collapse by playing silly rash strokes,not by any South African bowling mazic.

 

[hadi123]

The first thing that came to mind after seeing this title was Abdur Rehman's spell against England in the 2nd Test in UAE. That was awesome

 

[MMHS]

Happy with Ambrose?right up there with top?

Indeed great, I have seen both actually; but I can tell you that, the target on those wicket were faaaar bigger than around 200. Those were shocker of wickets and Ambi is like ultra fast bowling version of Kumble, on such wickets, he is almost unplayable for his height, accuracy and length. In early 90s, he took 8/46 against Poms at Barbados as well, defending modest total.

In terms of pure bowling merit, I have to take RGD Willis - bowled like a possessed Zombi, relentless, fast and hostile, like there is no tomorrow. And, he did that in a very conventional fast bowling strategy - kept Aussies on back-foot constantly bowling on three Q and lifting it to chest height and then a perfectly pitched leg/off cutter. Pom cordon caught well also.

Not in 4th innings, but with one arm in cluster, Malcolm Marshall bowled something like that at Leeds. I can't recall where, but on a very high scoring 4th innings DK Lille bowled fast medium to take 5/140 or so showing highest level of skills for 40+ overs, but he was defending a large total - that's after 6/25 in 1st innings (MCG Centennial Test, may be).

 

[Ahmad Shah]

Andrew caddick and darren gough spell at final test of ashes 1997 while defending a low score of 106 or 108

Both destroyed Australian batting lineup

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Today we commemorate the 40th anniversary of the greatest test match ever in the history of Cricket, which had one of the greatest turnabouts in the history of sport. The 3rd test at Leeds from July 16-21st in 1981, between England and Australia was the equivalent of a Hollywood classic or epic novel. There could be rarely instances in the history of sport where such a miraculous turn of events took place or one felt the sensation of the intervention of the divine. This game set the tone of one of the most dramatic series ever in the history of the Ashes or Cricket itself.

On the 5th day morning ,England was dismissed for 357 and left Australia a target of a mere 130 runs to win. At 56-1 it looked a mere formality with Australia coasting home. However just on the brink of lunch Mike Brearley switched Bob Willis into the Kirkstall Lane end, which proved to be a master tactical move. In a few moment s the complexion of the game changed completely, like a new character giving a complete twist to a novel. Willis removed Trevor Chappell unable to fend of an unplayable lifting short ball, Kim Hughes caught in the slips to a rising ball and Graham Yallop brilliantly caught to a snorter at short leg. Rarely in cricket have I seen spirit of determination or single-mindedness scale such a height as in the spell of Bob Willis.


After Lunch Willis continued from where he left off, dismissing Rodney Marsh,John Dyson and Geoff Lawson,in quick succession. However the unforgettable moment was the dismissal of Chris Old of Border, who had him playing onto his stumps. Perhaps that was the major turning point of the game. At 75-8 Australia tenaciously fought back scoring 35 runs in 4 overs and it looked as the game again had a twist to the tale. It was then that Mike Gatting took a spectacular catch at mid on off Willis to dismiss Dennis Lillee.Finally Willis sealed a victory crashing through the gate of Ray Bright. Australia was dismissed for a score of 111, giving England an 18 run win. Never in history of cricket had a tem resurrected from the grave to reach such a pinnacle of glory.
Willis ended with figures of 8-43, with his spell ranking as arguably the best ever in defending a total. Rarely in cricket have I seen spirit of determination or single-mindedness scale such a height as in the spell of Bob Willis. The manner he thundered in simply told the story, as though he carried the entire fortunes of England on his shoulder. Rarely has any cricketer been in such a cocoon of concentration as Bob Willis that day or taken grit to such realms. When steaming in he looked as though the spirits possessed him, as though in a trance. Few pace bowlers ever banged the ball harder to extract bounce or exploit conditions so surgically on an untrue pitch, with uneven bounce.

A miracle had been pulled off and instead of celebrating Bob Willis ran to the pavilion, with spirit of fury and vengeance rarely seen in sport. Willis was furious with the media for belittling or writing him off and his charge was manifestation of his will to put the press in it's place. No man looked more as though he had fulfilled his thirst for vengeance.
The adulation in the crowds was so great as though they were witnessing a new epoch in history .Difficult to ever visualize such an elevation in the spirit of the entire nation as though a magical power had penetrated through it. The level of ecstasy and jubilation in the crowds traversed unprecedented magnitudes in sport.


In my analysis Bob Willis's effort was the best ever spell by a pace bowler in a 4th innings in history of test cricket.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Willis or Ambrose or Holding?best spell ever in 4th innings or F.Devilliers?

 

[MP2011]

Today we commemorate the 40th anniversary of the greatest test match ever in the history of Cricket

Very subjective call, not set in stone!

 

[MP2011]

7.Jaggaval Srinath 6-21 v South Africa at Ahmedabad in 1996

defending target of 170 runs.


South Africa seemed home and dry at 96-4 before Srinath intervened like a thunderstorm interrupting or a Jack the ripper coming on the scene..Brilliantly exploited the uneven bounce prevailing and produced lateral movement both ways.

Saw this spell LIVE and Srinath was brilliant that day against an excellent and a very settled SA batting lineup.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Curtly Ambrose and Srinath's spells as far as your Bhaijaan is concerned.

 

[MP2011]

9.Kapil Dev 5-28 at Melbourne in 1980-81


defending target of 151 runs


On the final day India pulled of a miracle defending a meagre 143 runs with Kapil Dev bowling as though the spirits posessed him.

This was another superlative performance especially considering we were playing in alien conditions unlike late Bob Willis and were far behind Australia in that series till that time.

Also, it came after Sunny tried to take Chetan Chauhan out of ground with him in protest of him being wrongly given out by biased Australian umpires and constant abuse hurled at him.