Top 5 Fewest balls to reach six wickets in an innings, after first coming on to bowl: Magical Bowling Spells of All Time

In Test cricket, taking six wickets in an innings is an incredible achievement for any bowler. But doing it in the fewest number of balls? That’s a mark of pure dominance and skill. This article looks at five legendary bowlers who achieved the feat of taking six wickets in the fewest balls to reach six wickets, shocking the world with their rapid breakthroughs right after coming on to bowl. From Scott Boland’s unforgettable Ashes spell to Michael Clarke’s surprise attack, each performance is a reminder of how quickly a game can turn in cricket.

Let’s explore these fastest six-wicket hauls in detail with long descriptions, stats tables, and key match moments that defined these magical spells.

List of Top 5 Fastest Six Wicket in Test Cricket

5. Michael Clarke – 38 Balls vs India (Wankhede, 2004/05)

In 2004, during a tense Test series in India, Australia found an unexpected match-winner in Michael Clarke, not with the bat but with the ball. Clarke, who was known mainly as a stylish top-order batsman, surprised everyone with one of the Fewest balls to reach six wickets in Test history. At Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, Clarke came on to bowl his part-time off-spin and changed the match within moments.

On a dry pitch offering sharp turn and variable bounce, Clarke exploited the conditions like a seasoned spinner. The Indian batters, expecting easy runs, were caught off guard as his deliveries skidded, dipped, and spun. He struck in rapid succession, claiming 6 wickets in just 38 balls one of the fewest balls to reach six wickets in Test history leaving the packed Wankhede crowd in disbelief. His bowling spell destroyed India’s resistance, allowing Australia to secure a rare and memorable Test win in the subcontinent.

This performance remains one of the most shocking and unique spells in cricket history not only because of the speed of the wickets but also because it came from a bowler not known for his bowling.

Bowler	Team	Opponent	Balls to 6 Wickets
Michael Clarke	AUS	IND	38

4. Arthur Gilligan – 38 Balls vs South Africa (Edgbaston, 1924)

Nearly a century ago, in 1924, Arthur Gilligan delivered a spell that would be remembered for its pace and precision. Playing for England against South Africa at Edgbaston, Gilligan steamed in with great energy and dismantled the South African batting line-up with sheer aggression. He became one of the earliest players to register the Fewest balls to reach six wickets in Test cricket taking his six wickets in just 38 balls after being introduced into the attack.

Gilligan’s bowling was a fine mix of pace and movement, especially under the overcast English conditions that offered swing. Once he found his rhythm, there was no stopping him, as he achieved the fewest balls to reach six wickets. Batters edged deliveries, missed straight ones, and crumbled under his pressure.

His spell turned the game heavily in England’s favor, showing how fast a Test match could shift when a bowler hits the right length. Gilligan’s record stood as one of the finest examples of early 20th-century fast bowling magic.

Bowler	Team	Opponent	Balls to 6 Wickets
Arthur Gilligan	ENG	SA	38

3. Jasprit Bumrah – 37 Balls vs West Indies (Kingston, 2019)

In 2019, the cricketing world witnessed an absolute masterclass in fast bowling when Jasprit Bumrah destroyed the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica. Known for his awkward action and deadly accuracy, Bumrah struck gold in the second Test of the series by claiming 6 wickets in just 37 balls, registering one of the Fewest balls to reach six wickets in Test performances for India.

Bumrah bowled with a perfect blend of aggression and control. Using the Dukes ball to swing both ways and landing toe-crushing yorkers at will, he achieved the fewest balls to reach six wickets in that innings. The West Indies batters, helpless and stunned, kept falling one after another. He even registered a hat-trick in that spell, becoming only the third Indian to achieve the feat in Test cricket.

This performance highlighted his reputation as one of the most lethal fast bowlers in the world and set a benchmark for future Indian pacers.

Bowler	Team	Opponent	Balls to 6 Wickets
Jasprit Bumrah	IND	WI	37

2. Hugh Trumble – 24 Balls vs England (MCG, 1903/04)

In the early days of Test cricket, Hugh Trumble, a legendary Australian spinner, produced a spell that would stand the test of time. Playing in his final Test match in 1903/04 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Trumble carved his name in cricket history with the Fewest balls to reach six wickets in Test for a spinner claiming 6 wickets in just 24 balls against England.

Trumble was a master of classical off-spin. With a smooth action and deceptive flight, he achieved the fewest balls to reach six wickets by forcing England’s batters into mistakes on a pitch that was wearing down rapidly. His understanding of the conditions, combined with his smart variations, made him nearly impossible to survive.

The most poetic part of this spell? It came in his last ever match. He retired from cricket after helping Australia win the Test and the series, sealing his legacy with one final act of brilliance. His record would remain untouched for more than 100 years.

Bowler	Team	Opponent	Balls to 6 Wickets
Hugh Trumble	AUS	ENG	24

1. Scott Boland – 21 Balls vs England (MCG, 2021/22)

The Fewest balls to reach six wickets in Test record belongs to none other than Scott Boland, who stunned England in the 2021/22 Ashes at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. In only his second Test match, Boland took 6 wickets in an unbelievable 21 balls, setting a world record for the fewest balls needed to reach that milestone after coming on to bowl.

Boland, relatively unknown to global fans before this match, bowled a dream spell on his home ground. His sharp seam movement, relentless line, and perfect length helped him achieve the fewest balls to reach six wickets, making every ball dangerous. England’s batting collapsed in a matter of minutes, and the entire stadium erupted in admiration.

It wasn’t just the speed of the wickets that made this spell special it was the context. Boland, an Indigenous Australian cricketer, became a national hero overnight. His 6/7 figures not only turned the match into a quick victory for Australia but also created one of the most iconic Ashes moments in modern cricket history.

Bowler	Team	Opponent	Balls to 6 Wickets
Scott Boland	AUS	ENG	21

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