Gus Atkinson Joins Elite Club Of Top 5 Bowling Spells For England vs India Tests At The Oval

Top 5 Bowling Spells For England vs India Tests At The Oval [Source: @ABsay_ek/X.com]

The Oval has witnessed some of England and India's most dramatic encounters in Test cricket over the decades. Recently, Gus Atkinson made headlines with an astonishing spell against India.

In the fifth Test of the Anderson Tendulkar Trophy, he took a five-wicket-haul to send India packing for a low score. As history is made by Atkinson, let's look back at the top 5 bowling spells at The Oval in India-England Test history.

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5. Fred Trueman - 5/48 In 1952

5. Fred Trueman - 5/48 in 1952 [Source: @PictureSporting/X.com]

The legendary Fred Trueman made history in 1952, picking up 5/48 in the second inning. With raw speed and killer swing, Trueman was a torment for Indian batsmen.Following England's declaration at 326, the Englishman’s lethal spell bowled out India for just 98 runs. He sent back Vinoo Mankad, Pankaj Roy, Vijay Hazare, Dattu Phadkar, and Khokhan Sen. His match figures are still remembered as one of the finest ever by a fast bowler against India at The Oval.

4. Alec Bedser - 5/41 In 1952

4. Alec Bedser - 5/41 in 1952 [Source: @PictureSporting/X.com]

Alec Bedser, one of England's finest medium pacers, also left his mark at The Oval. In the same game in 1952, he bowled a brilliant spell of 5/41, setting the tone for England’s dominance. Complementing Trueman’s spell, Bedser also struck a five-wicket-haul. 

He got rid of Hemu Adhikari, Vijay Manjrekar, Polly Umrigar, Ramesh Divecha, and Gulabrai Ramchand to bowl out India for just 98 runs. But the match ended in a draw with a huge loss of time.

3. Gus Atkinson - 5/33 In 2025

3. Gus Atkinson - 5/33 in 2025 [Source: @ICC/X.com]

The newest member of the elite list is Gus Atkinson, who took an eye-catching 5/33 in just 21.4 overs during the fifth Test of the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Playing in only his first Test at The Oval, Atkinson tore through India's top order with speed and accuracy. 

His aggression, seam movement, and capacity to bowl in the right spots rendered him nearly unplayable. His economy rate of only 1.52 was the highest among the top five performances and reflected his discipline and control. Apart from chipping 5 wickets, Atkinson also contributed with a run-out of the Indian skipper Shubman Gill, which switched the momentum of the game completely.

2. Graeme Swann – 6/106 In 2011

2. Graeme Swann – 6/106 in 2011 [Source: @pantiyerfc/X.com]

Fast forward to 2011, off-spinner Graeme Swann spun a web around India’s batting lineup in The Oval. After enforcing a follow-on, Swann’s spell helped England bowl out India for 283 runs and win by an innings and 8 runs. 

Across two innings, Swann bowled 69 overs, claiming 9 wickets for 208 runs. His best came in the second innings with figures of 6/106. On a dry Oval pitch, Swann's sharp turn and flight made life difficult for the batters, helping England win the match convincingly.

1. Gubby Allen – 7/80 In 1936

1. Gubby Allen – 7/80 in 1936 [Source: @TheCricketWire/X.com]

Back in 1936, George Oswald Browning Allen (Gubby Allen) delivered a masterclass in swing and seam bowling. Playing just one match in that series at The Oval, he picked up 7 wickets for 80 runs in the third inning. 

His sharp pace and movement troubled the Indian batters, earning him the best-ever bowling performance by an Englishman against India at this venue. Allen’s spell bowled out India for 312, setting up a marginal target, which England chased in 13 overs to seal a comfortable 9-wicket win.

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