Best Bowling Figures in an Ashes Innings and Match
The best bowling figures in an Ashes innings are Jim Laker's 10 for 53 for England at Old Trafford in 1956, the only ten-wicket innings in Ashes history. Laker took 9 for 37 in the first innings of the same Test. Stuart Broad's 8 for 15 at Trent Bridge in 2015 is the cheapest eight-wicket haul in an Ashes Test. This page lists the best innings and match figures in Ashes Tests through the 2025-26 series.
The Best Innings Figures in Ashes Tests
| Figures | Bowler | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/53 | Jim Laker (Eng) | Old Trafford | 1956 |
| 9/37 | Jim Laker (Eng) | Old Trafford | 1956 |
| 9/121 | Arthur Mailey (Aus) | Melbourne | 1920-21 |
| 8/15 | Stuart Broad (Eng) | Trent Bridge | 2015 |
| 8/31 | Frank Laver (Aus) | Old Trafford | 1909 |
| 8/35 | George Lohmann (Eng) | Sydney | 1886-87 |
| 8/38 | Glenn McGrath (Aus) | Lord's | 1997 |
| 8/43 | Albert Trott (Aus) | Adelaide | 1894-95 |
| 8/43 | Hedley Verity (Eng) | Lord's | 1934 |
| 8/43 | Bob Willis (Eng) | Headingley | 1981 |
| 8/53 | Bob Massie (Aus) | Lord's | 1972 |
| 8/58 | George Lohmann (Eng) | Sydney | 1891-92 |
| 8/65 | Hugh Trumble (Aus) | The Oval | 1902 |
| 8/68 | Wilfred Rhodes (Eng) | Melbourne | 1903-04 |
| 8/71 | Shane Warne (Aus) | Brisbane | 1994-95 |
Ashes Tests only, through the 2025-26 series, from ESPNcricinfo's Ashes records.
The Best Match Figures
| Figures | Bowler | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19/90 | Jim Laker (Eng) | Old Trafford | 1956 |
| 16/137 | Bob Massie (Aus) | Lord's | 1972 |
| 15/104 | Hedley Verity (Eng) | Lord's | 1934 |
| 15/124 | Wilfred Rhodes (Eng) | Melbourne | 1903-04 |
| 14/99 | Alec Bedser (Eng) | Trent Bridge | 1953 |
| 14/102 | Billy Bates (Eng) | Melbourne | 1882-83 |
Fred Spofforth took 14 for 90 for Australia at The Oval in 1882, in the Test that gave the Ashes their name, but that match came before the first Ashes series and is not counted in Ashes records.
The Stories Behind the Best Figures
Jim Laker, 19 for 90, Old Trafford 1956
Laker's off-spin took 9 for 37 in Australia's first innings and all ten for 53 in the second, and England won by an innings and 170 runs. His 19 wickets are still the most by any bowler in a Test match, and he finished the series with 46 wickets at 9.60, the Ashes series record.
Stuart Broad, 8 for 15, Trent Bridge 2015
Australia were bowled out for 60 in their first innings, Broad's eight wickets coming in 9.3 overs. England won by an innings to go 3-1 up and regain the Ashes.
Bob Massie, 16 for 137, Lord's 1972
Massie took 8 for 84 and 8 for 53 with swing bowling and Australia won by eight wickets. He played only six Tests in all, and those 16 wickets were more than half of his Test career total of 31.
Bob Willis, 8 for 43, Headingley 1981
Australia needed 130 to win after England had followed on, and Willis's eight wickets bowled them out for 111. It remains one of the most famous spells in Ashes history.
Glenn McGrath, 8 for 38, Lord's 1997
McGrath's eight wickets bowled England out for 77 in a drawn Test, and he went on to take 36 wickets in the series as Australia won 3-2.
Best Figures in Recent Ashes Series
- 2025-26: Mitchell Starc's 7 for 58 at Perth, part of ten wickets in the match and 31 in the series.
- 2023: Pat Cummins's 6 for 91 at Headingley.
- 2019: Jofra Archer's 6 for 45 at Headingley and 6 for 62 at The Oval.
The 2025-26 series ended with Australia's 4-1 win at Sydney, as cricket.com.au reported. Our pages on the best Ashes bowlers, the most wickets in a single Ashes series and the most Ashes five-wicket hauls cover the bowlers behind these figures.
FAQs: Best Ashes Bowling Figures
What are the best bowling figures in Ashes history?
Jim Laker's 10 for 53 at Old Trafford in 1956, and 19 for 90 in that match.
Has anyone taken all ten wickets in an Ashes innings?
Only Jim Laker, in 1956.
What are the best Ashes figures by an Australian?
Arthur Mailey's 9 for 121 at Melbourne in 1920-21 in an innings, and Bob Massie's 16 for 137 at Lord's in 1972 in a match.
What were the best figures in the 2025-26 Ashes?
Mitchell Starc's 7 for 58 at Perth.
Leave a comment