Record Alert: Jasprit Bumrah goes past great Andy Roberts, James Anderson for most away Test five-fors

Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian captain for the Perth Test against Australia, picked a five-wicket haul in the first innings of the BGT opener; his spell of 5/30 restricted Australia to 104 in reply to India’s moderate 150 on day one. With this, he completed his ninth away Test five-for, his 11th overall, surpassing several former greats, including Sir Andy Roberts, Allan Donald, Zaheer Khan and Denis Lillee.

Bumrah was instrumental in helping India bag a first-inning lead (46) despite failing miserably with the bat at the Optus Stadium. 

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Bumrah first dismissed debutant Nathan McSweeney on ten before accounting for Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith off successive deliveries in this third over late on day one.

While Bumrah got rid of the left-handed Khawaja for the first time in his career, he became only the second bowler after retired Dale Steyn to dismiss Smith on a golden duck in Tests. 

Bumrah’s opening spell put Australia on the back foot, from where they never recovered, losing four more wickets before stumps on day one. The India Test captain also accounted for counterpart Pat Cummins on three.

On day two, Bumrah struck gold on his first delivery, dismissing Australia’s only recognised batter, Alex Carey, caught behind on 21, with the hosts reeling at 70 for eight at that stage. Though that was his last wicket, with Harshit Rana picking the remaining two, Bumrah’s spell broke Australia’s back, who got all out on 104 just at the stroke of lunch.

Most away Test five-fors

While Bumrah has age, skill and time at his disposal to rise on this list, he still is far from the number one position holder, New Zealand’s Richard Hadlee, who has an astonishing 21 away five-wicket hauls in Test cricket. Bowling veterans Glenn McGrath (18), Wasim Akram (17), Sydney Barns (15) and Malcolm Marshall (14) are among the top five. 

Here is the list -

(With inputs from agencies)