OTD | Phil Tufnell demolished West Indies with a spell of 6 for 4 in 33 balls and set England on their way to a series-leveling victory

On this day, Phil Tufnell delivered a great bowling performance in his spell in the first innings of the Test against the West Indies in 1991 in the fifth Test of the series. The left-arm orthodox spinner bowled an economical spell of 14.3 overs in which he claimed 3 maidens, picked six wickets, and conceded just 25 runs. All six of his wickets were of the lower middle and the lower order batters.

The English spinner cleaned up the tail well and restricted West Indies to a total of 176 runs in the first innings. England, having scored 419 runs in their first innings, got a massive lead of 243 runs. They inflicted the follow-on and dismissed the visiting side for 385 runs in the second innings. A target of 143 runs was eventually achieved by the home side by 5 wickets. Tufnell’s spell was instrumental in England’s win.

When Tufnell was bowling to Lambert, WI had a score of 160/4. They ended up losing their next 6 wickets for just 15 runs. Tufnell ensured the collapse with his spell. In the last 33 balls, Phil claimed 6 wickets by conceding just 4 runs. He dismissed a set batter like Lambert who looked well for a 39(49) in his stay in the middle. His wicket triggered a collapse for the visiting side.

Phil dismissed Malcolm Marshall for a duck. He further got rid of Viv Richards who scored just 2 runs in 7 balls. The spinner claimed the wicket of Curtly Ambrose for a 2-ball duck. It took him just a couple of more deliveries to dismiss Courtney Walsh for a duck. Tufnell dismissed Balfour Patterson for 2 runs. In the process, he ensured that West Indies was dismissed for a below-par total in the fifth Test of the series.

On a good batting surface, WI didn’t have any answers for the talented bowler. Even in the 2nd innings, Phil claimed the big wicket of Carl Hooper for 54(89). He bowled a marathon spell of 46 overs. It was Tufnell’s spell which was probably the difference between the two sides. Without him, West Indies could’ve posted a par score in their first innings.

Read More: England legend David Gower retired from Test Cricket in 1992