Explore the best bowling figures in Test cricket in 2026. Check the top spell performances in red ball matches.
Best Bowling Figures in Tests in 2026
| Player (Team) | Bowling Figures | Overs Bowled | Mdns | Econ | Opponent | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shoriful Islam | 7/48 | 15.0 | 3 | 3.2 | Australia | Mackay | 22 Aug 2026 |
| Taijul Islam | 7/138 | 40.2 | 1 | 3.42 | Zimbabwe | Harare | 28 Jun 2026 |
| Mitchell Starc | 6/12 | 10.0 | 6 | 1.2 | Bangladesh | Mackay | 22 Aug 2026 |
| Matt Henry | 6/29 | 18.1 | 6 | 1.59 | England | The Oval | 17 Jun 2026 |
| Manav Suthar | 6/33 | 22.0 | 10 | 1.5 | Afghanistan | New Chandigarh | 6 Jun 2026 |
| Nathan Smith | 6/40 | 14.0 | 3 | 2.85 | Ireland | Belfast | 27 May 2026 |
| Hasan Mahmud | 6/55 | 17.0 | 3 | 3.23 | Australia | Darwin | 13 Aug 2026 |
| Manav Suthar | 6/55 | 23.4 | 2 | 2.32 | Sri Lanka | Galle | 15 Aug 2026 |
| Nathan Smith | 6/70 | 17.0 | 4 | 4.11 | England | Lord’s | 4 Jun 2026 |
| Josh Hazlewood | 6/89 | 28.0 | 3 | 3.17 | Bangladesh | Darwin | 13 Aug 2026 |
| Jomel Warrican | 6/112 | 46.0 | 8 | 2.43 | Pakistan | Port of Spain | 2 Aug 2026 |
| Taijul Islam | 6/120 | 34.2 | 4 | 3.49 | Pakistan | Sylhet | 16 May 2026 |
| Mohammad Saleem | 6/140 | 27.0 | 3 | 5.18 | India | New Chandigarh | 6 Jun 2026 |
| Jayden Seales | 5/20 | 14.2 | 6 | 1.39 | Pakistan | Tarouba | 25 Jul 2026 |
| Mohammad Abbas | 5/22 | 15.5 | 6 | 1.38 | West Indies | Tarouba | 25 Jul 2026 |
| Justin Greaves | 5/27 | 11.0 | 6 | 2.45 | Pakistan | Tarouba | 25 Jul 2026 |
| Gus Atkinson | 5/30 | 11.3 | 3 | 2.6 | New Zealand | Lord’s | 4 Jun 2026 |
| Ollie Robinson | 5/39 | 10.5 | 3 | 3.6 | New Zealand | Lord’s | 4 Jun 2026 |
| Nahid Rana | 5/40 | 9.5 | 2 | 4.06 | Pakistan | Mirpur | 8 May 2026 |
| Josh Tongue | 5/46 | 9.1 | 0 | 5.01 | Pakistan | Leeds | 19 Aug 2026 |
| Ollie Robinson | 5/51 | 18.0 | 3 | 2.83 | Pakistan | Leeds | 19 Aug 2026 |
| Mohammad Abbas | 5/57 | 22.0 | 3 | 2.59 | England | Lord’s | 27 Aug 2026 |
| Kyle Jamieson | 5/62 | 14.0 | 0 | 4.42 | England | Lord’s | 4 Jun 2026 |
| Mehidy Hasan Miraz | 5/66 | 33.1 | 6 | 1.98 | Australia | Darwin | 13 Aug 2026 |
| BM Tickner | 5/76 | 17.2 | 3 | 4.38 | Ireland | Belfast | 27 May 2026 |
| Matt Henry | 5/80 | 24.0 | 3 | 3.33 | England | The Oval | 17 Jun 2026 |
| Mohammad Abbas | 5/92 | 34.0 | 8 | 2.7 | Bangladesh | Mirpur | 8 May 2026 |
| Ali Usman | 5/95 | 24.0 | 1 | 3.95 | England | Leeds | 19 Aug 2026 |
| Mehidy Hasan Miraz | 5/102 | 38.0 | 5 | 2.68 | Pakistan | Mirpur | 8 May 2026 |
| RMMP Rathnayaka | 5/124 | 35.5 | 8 | 3.46 | West Indies | North Sound | 25 Jun 2026 |
| Asitha Fernando | 5/130 | 40.0 | 7 | 3.25 | West Indies | North Sound | 3 Jul 2026 |
Key Insights on 2026’s Best Bowling Spells by Bowlers
Taijul Islam’s Marathon Spells: Bangladesh’s Taijul Islam holds the single best bowling performance of the year so far. He claimed an incredible 7/138 from a grueling 40.2 overs against Zimbabwe in Harare. He, along with Nathan Smith, appears twice in the top six with another massive spell of 6/120 against Pakistan,
Matt Henry’s Clinical Precision: New Zealand’s Matt Henry boasts the second-best figures on the list with a highly economical 6/29 off 18.1 overs. Achieved against England at The Oval, this stands as the most devastating 6-wicket haul of the year in terms of runs conceded.
Manav Suthar’s Dream Debut: India’s Manav Suthar delivered a stunning 6/33 in 22 overs against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh. This remarkable spell occurred during his Test debut, placing him in elite company as it registered as India’s third-best innings figures in a maiden Test appearance.
New Zealand’s Bowling Dominance: The Kiwis feature heavily at the top of the leaderboard, securing three of the top five spots. Alongside Henry, Nathan Smith proved highly lethal, delivering two outstanding 6-wicket hauls in consecutive weeks (6/40 against Ireland and 6/70 against England).
The Lord’s Wicket Fest: The June 4th Test match between England and New Zealand at Lord’s proved to be incredibly bowler-friendly. It generated three separate entries on this top 10 list: Nathan Smith (6/70) for New Zealand, alongside Gus Atkinson (5/30) and Ollie Robinson (5/39) for England.
Afghanistan vs. India Spin Battle: The June 6th Test in New Chandigarh saw massive hauls from both sides. While Suthar spun a web for India, Afghanistan’s Mohammad Saleem also bowled a massive 27-over spell to claim 6/140.
Nahid Rana’s Dual Format Success: Bangladesh pacer Nahid Rana stands out as the only bowler this year to secure five-wicket hauls in both Test and ODI formats. He claimed his maiden Test five-for against Pakistan with figures of 5-40, complementing his multiple five-wicket performances in ODIs.
