The Ashes is one of the most prestigious series in cricket history. The age-old rivalry has continued till now. The Ashes, has produced many brilliant bowling spells in recent times. We will now have a look at the best bowling figures in the Ashes series in the 21st century.
1. Stuart Broad (2015)
This was the fourth game of the 2015 Ashes in England. England’s key bowler James Anderson was out injured. The next best bowler, Stuart Broad, now became the strike bowler, and he performed the role beautifully. He opened the bowling, and blasted through the entire Aussie line-up in a single spell of 9.3 overs. Australia got bowled out for just 60, so they were never back in the game. Stuart Broad had bowling figures of 8-15 in this innings.
2. Mitchell Johnson (2013)
Mitchell Johnson was at the peak of his prowess during this time. He was an extraordinary bowler across all formats. In the 2013-14 Ashes in Australia, the hosts won all five matches. Johnson played a vital role throughout the series. In the second test, Australia scored 570 batting first. When they bowled, they skittled out England for just 172, with Mitchell Johnson’s seven-wicket haul playing a pivotal role in it. Mitchell Johnson had bowling figures of 7-40 in this innings.
3. Glenn McGrath (2001)
This was the fourth test of the 2001 Ashes in England. Australia batted first, and scored 447. Australia, then set out to bowl. They conceded 309 to England in this innings. This innings had Glenn McGrath take seven wickets. Glenn McGrath had bowling figures of 7-76 in this innings.
4. Andy Caddick (2003)
This game was the final match of the 2002-03 Ashes. England lost all the previous four games in this series. England was in a desperate need to avoid a whitewash, to save face. England managed to set a target of 452 for Australia. England managed to win by a massive margin of 225 runs, due to Andy Caddick’s seven-wicket haul. Andy Caddick had bowling figures of 7-94 in this innings.
5. Matthew Hoggard (2006)
England batted first in this game, and scored 551. When England bowled, Australia responded with their own 500+ score. In this innings, Matthew Hoggard, despite going for over 100 runs, took seven wickets. His bowling was responsible for England getting a first innings lead. Matthew Hoggard had bowling figures of 7-109 in this innings.
6. Ryan Harris (2013)
This game was the fourth test in the 2013 Ashes in England. Australia had a first-innings lead of 32. When England batted again, the Australian bowler Ryan Harris piled upon wickets, but England was still scoring steadily, and they ended up at 330. Ryan Harris had bowling figures of 7-117 in this innings.
7. Shane Warne (2001)
This was the final test in the 2001 Ashes in England. Australia batted first, and scored 641. They had to restrict England to 441 or below to enforce the follow-on, and ensure they had enough time to win. Shane Warne sent in overs constantly, and accumulated enough wickets, to make it happen, and Australia managed to restrict England to 432. Australia eventually won the match by an innings and 25 runs. Shane Warne had bowling figures of 7-165 in this innings.
8. Scott Boland (2021)
This was the 2021-22 Ashes, in Australia. The Australian pacer Scott Boland made his debut in the Boxing Day test. In this test, Australia had a first-innings lead of 82. England set out to bat again. What followed was chaos. Boland thoroughly dismantled the English line-up, as they got shot out for just 68. Scott Boland had bowling figures of 6-7 in this innings.
9. Shane Warne (2001)
Australia toured England for the 2001 Ashes. In the third test, Australia had a slender first-innings lead of five runs. Australia bowled again, and this time they bowled England out for just 162, due to Shane Warne’s six-wicket haul. This ensured Australia got a tiny target of 158, which they eventually chased successfully. Shane Warne had bowling figures of 6-33 in this innings.
10. Ben Stokes (2015)
This game was the fourth test in the 2015 Ashes in England. This match is known for Stuart Broad’s exploits in the first innings. However, Ben Stokes performed on his own, in the final innings. England had a massive lead of 331 runs after the first innings, and Stokes’ six-wicket haul in the final innings meant, England could attain an innings victory. Ben Stokes had bowling figures of 6-36 in this match.
