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Mitchell Starc recently oozed fire and produced a bowling effort so supreme in its exhibition of skill and scant disregad for run-scoring that the feat may never be forgotten in the times to come- and that's been richly and utterly deserved! Others before him, such as his countrymen including Shane Watson and one among his present-day bowling parnters, Scott Boland have done it too. But so too have some English names in the list of talents responsible for the fastest five-wicket-hauls in men's Test cricket history. This, mind you, is a list that the batters around the world would shudder in fear seeing and would dislike with a mere glance for it would prove to them just how ineffective they have been all along. Therefore, let us take a look at the talents responsible for fastest five wicket hauls in men's Test cricket history.
Fastest five-wicket hauls in men's Test cricket history by balls:
Mitch Starc vs West Indies
Without much doubt, the name that tops the list of the fastest-five wicket hauls in men's Test cricket history in all of 148 years is that of Mitchell Starc. In what was already an emphatic and glorious occasion for his own career, playing his 100th Test match for Australia, Starc, prior to entering Jamaica for the third game, emerged right on top as he took just 15 deliveries to break the back of the West Indies cricket team. Horrible is the phrase for the complete lack of application and horrid surrender! A batting performance, rather the lack of it, that was spineless, lacked effort or even the remotest possible evidence of intent saw Starc steamrolling the West Indies team as he took a world record feat of five wickets from just 2.3 overs. His 400th wicket, eventually, would come in the form of Mikyle Louis. He took 6 for 9 runs and on the whole 7.3 overs as the West Indies produced a horror show that must remind their coaching staff, administrators and present-day cricketers of the sorry state of affairs they are collectively responsible for.
While Starc is a giant of the game and among the best ever fast bowlers, the West Indies' meek surrender amid home fans was perhaps their biggest example of having nosedived so horribly in the sport they once took to supreme heights.
Ernie Toshack vs India
Not a cricketer who is hugely popular and maybe not the one whose name is vastly remembered and yet, Australian cricketer Ernie Toshack took against India one of the fastest five-wicket hauls in men's Test cricket history. In a Test match played back in the day in 1947, so far back in time, the noted left-arm medium pacer basically dismantled Team India's batting order taking just 19 deliveries to reach his fifer. The bowler from New South Wales played 12 Tests back then.
Stuart Broad vs Australia
Against Australia, Broad was always a giant performer and maybe served a broader demonstration of his fast-bowling excellence against his team's archrivals. One of the greatest English speedster of his time, of any time, and a long time bowling partner of the great Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad captured at the Trent Bridge Test against Australia, a fifer that came off just 19 deliveries.
As a matter of fact, in that memorable contest, Broad took an amazigng 8 for 15 on the whole and served a timely reminder of his fast bowling prowess.
Scott Boland vs England
One of the great finds of Australian cricket, gentle as well as a giant of the game for Australia, literally speaking, Boland has ensured of what's been evident thus far that the future of his nation's fast bowling is in good hands.
Against England in the year 2021 and that too, at the MCG, Scott Boland took one of the fastest five wicket hauls in men's Test cricket history. He took just 19 odd deliveries to capture his then fifer versus Australia's arch-rivals in one of the most keenly contested Ashes games ever.
While he took seven wickets on the whole in that game, the English saw helplessly as Australia won by an innings and 14 runs.
Shane Watson vs South Africa
One of the most celebrated and well liked all rounders of the entire game, not just of Australian cricket, Watson, also known as "Watto", took a famous fifer against the Proteas in 2011. A Test match that was played miles away from Australian pitches but actually in Cape Town, saw Shane Watson taking a five wicket haul for 17 runs, and taking just 21 odd deliveries to capture what his best bowling performance, arguably speaking, against the Proteas. Unfortunately, despite his brilliance, Australia would lose the contest with Philander magic shining through.
But Shane Watson's spell was among the fastest five wicket hauls in men's Test cricket history.
FAQs
Who has the fastest five-wicket haul in Test cricket history?
The answer is Mitchell Starc, who recently played his 100th Test match.
Which bowler has most 5 wicket hauls?
Sri Lanka's Muralidaran has 67 five-wicket hauls in his career.
Which bowler from England has the record of taking the fastest fifer in Tests?
It is undoubtedly Stuart Broad, who took a fifer from just 19 deliveries to claim a famous five-wicket-haul against Australia in the year 2015.
Which Australian bowler besides Starc has the fastest fifer in Test cricket?
In a Cape Town Test that took place in 2011, Watson took just 21 odd deliveries to take his fifer. It would remain one of his finest and most effective spells vs any Australian opponent.
