Following on from Ben Stokes’ heroics in the first Test against India, we take a look back at the top five bowling spells in Test history by England bowlers at Edgbaston.
Stokes’ effort was superlative – but was it the best?
Andrew Flintoff
Two wickets for 15 runs vs Australia, 2005
In one of the greatest Test matches ever played, Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff’s spell at the start of Australia’s second innings changed the match. Defending 281 runs, Flintoff came to the bowling crease in the 13th over and in one of the finest overs in history dismissed Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting, the Australia captain, for a duck. He returned later to outfox Jason Gillespie and Shane Warne but this was the spell that set the hosts up for a nail-biting victory by just two runs.
Ian Botham destroyed Australia in 1981.
Ian Botham
Five wickets for one run vs Australia, 1981
Australia were on top after grabbing a 69-run first innings lead, and were set a relatively easy target of 151 after dismissing England for a modest 219 in their second dig. As the tourists were coasting towards a comfortable win, Botham unleashed a “spell from hell”: sending five Australian batsmen back to the sheds while conceding just one run, helping England seal a scarcely believable victory by 29 runs.
Ben Stokes ended India’s challenge
Ben Stokes
Three wickets for 15 runs vs India, 2018
India started the fourth day requiring just 84 runs to win with five wickets in hand and captain Virat Kohli at the crease. But the all-rounder changed everything in his first over of the day, removing Kohli and Mohammed Shami to put England on the brink of victory. For good measure he then removed the last man out, Hardik Pandya, when his Indian counterpart threatened a miracle of his own, to give the hosts a famous 31-run victory.
Graeme Swann took 6 for 65 against Pakistan
Graeme Swann
6 wickets for 65 runs vs Pakistan, 2010
The reliable off-spinner recorded his Test best figures in a marathon 37-over spell (20 maidens) in the second innings to set up a comfortable nine-wicket win for the hosts. The pick of his scalps was Imran Farhat, with the ball drifting in before sharply spinning in the opposite direction, deceiving the batsman and England wicket-keeper Matt Prior before knocking off a bail. Many newspapers called it ‘the ball of the 21st century’.
Wilfred Rhodes spun out Australia.
Wilfred Rhodes
7 wickets for 17 runs vs Australia, 1902
In the first-ever Test match at Edgbaston, England batted and declared at nine down when on 376. In reply Australia were bowled out for just 36. The pick of the bowlers was Rhodes, who bowled 11 overs, including three maidens, and took the wickets of one opener and every batsman from No5 to No11. The left-arm spinner’s effort remains the best bowling performance in a Test innings at Birmingham, even 116 years later – though rain forced a draw.
