Most consecutive five-wickets in an innings in Tests

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Most consecutive five-wickets
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Most consecutive five-wickets in an innings in Tests: The earliest known incident of consecutive ‘five-wicket haul’ in Test innings was claimed by Charles Thomas Biass Turner also known as Charlie Turner of Australia. In his career of 17 Test matches (Jan 1887 to Feb 1895), he has claimed 5-wicket hauls on 11 occasions. He picked consecutive 5-wicket hauls in the matches against England in February 1888, July 1888 and August 1888.

February 1888

The one-off Ashes Test was played between 10th and 15th February 1888, at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Two English touring teams in Australia during 1887-88 combined to play this match. It was a four-ball over match.

Australia, led by Percy McDonnell, won the toss, elected to field. England’s first innings lasted exactly 100 overs out of which 50 overs were bowled by Turner. He picked up the wickets of Andrew Stroddart (16), George Ulyett (5), skipper Walter Read (10), John Maurice Read (0) and left-arm spinner Johnny Briggs (0).

John James Ferris picked up the other four wickets while wicket-keeper Richard Pilling was run-out. England ended their first innings at 113 runs. Medium pacer Turner finished with the analysis of 50-27-44-5.

In response, Australia scored a pathetic total of 42 runs with only Thomas Garrett (10) getting into double digits, with English medium pacer George Lohmann and the left arm spinner Robert Peel claiming 5 wickets each. The innings lasted only 37.3 overs.

Repeating an identical performance, Turner picked up 7 wickets, giving away 43 runs in 38 overs (23 maidens) in England’s second innings that lasted a mere 69.2 overs and with a score of 137 runs.

Having to score 209 runs for a win, Australia managed to put up only 82 runs on the board and lost the match by 126 runs. However, Charles Turner ended the match with a figure of 88-50-87-12 with a ‘5-wicket haul’ in both the innings.

July 1888

The first Test of the 3-Test Ashes series was played at Lord’s between 16th and 17th July 1888. Australia, led by Percy McDonnell, elected to bat on winning the toss.

Lasting for 71.2 overs, Australia put up 116 runs in their first innings. England responded very poorly scoring just 53 runs in their first knock that lasted a mere 50 overs.

Australian medium pacer, Charles Turner came up with an excellent bowling performance and returned with a figure of 25-9-27-5, claiming the wickets of William Barnes (3), George Lohmann (2), Walter Read (4), Tim O’Brien (0) and skipper Alan Steel (3).

Leading by 63 runs, Australians added another 60 runs in 29.2 overs in their second knock. George Lohmann and Rober Peel picked up 4 wickets each.

Chasing 124 runs for a win, England collapsed to 62 runs in their second innings that lasted 47 overs. Charles Turner produced another wonderful bowling performance claiming 5 wickets, giving away 36 runs in 24 overs. The other 5 wickets were picked up by John James Ferris.

Australia won the match by 61 runs and led the series 1-0. Turner claimed a ‘5-wicket haul’ in both the innings for a second time and ended with match figures of 49-17-63-10.

August 1888

The second Test of the same series was played between 13th and 14th August 1888, at Kennington Oval. Winning the toss and electing to bat, Australia put up 80 runs in their first innings that was played over 90.3 overs. England’s left-arm spinner, Johnny Brigs picked up 5 wickets, giving away 25 runs in his spell of 37 overs.

England replied with a huge score of 317 runs with significant contributions from Robert Abel (70), William Barnes (62) and George Lohmann (62).

Charles Turner again claimed 6 wickets, giving away 112 runs in 60 overs. Trailing by 237 runs, Australia managed to score only 100 runs in their second knock and lost the game by an innings and 137 runs.

Both the teams drew level 1-1 in the series at this stage going into the third and final game. The third and final Test of the series was played at Old Trafford, Manchester, between 30th and 31st August 1888.

England won the toss and elected to bat. In the first innings that was played over 113.1 overs, they scored 172 runs. Turner, yet again, picked up 5 wickets, claiming the skipper William Grace (38), Robert Abel (0), George Ulyett (0), Walter Read (19) and William Gunn (15).

In reply Australia posted 81 runs in their first innings and on being made to follow on with a deficit of 91 runs, scored only 70 runs in their second knock and lost the match by an innings and 21 runs. England won the match and the series 2-1.

Charles Turner’s performance in 1888 both in the one-off Test in Australia and in the three-Test series in England is the earliest known ‘most consecutive five-wicket hauls’ in Test cricket.

The latest instance being that of Sri Lankan left-arm spinner, Rangana Herath, picking up a ‘5-wicket hauls’ in the first and second Test matches against Pakistan played at Galle (6th to 10th August 2014) and SSC Colombo (14th to 18th August 2014).

Herath claimed 6/48 (second innings of the first Test), 9/127 (first innings of the second Test) and 5/57 (second innings of the second Test).

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