England's Ollie Robinson (AP Photo)
Ollie Robinson has produced a remarkable statistical landmark in Test cricket, moving past Jasprit Bumrah to claim the best bowling average among bowlers with at least 20 Tests over the last 100 years. Robinson reached the mark during England’s second Test against Pakistan at Lord’s on Sunday, as his four-wicket burst helped put England firmly in control of the fourth innings. The England seamer entered the day already among the most efficient Test bowlers of the modern era and strengthened his numbers further by dismantling Pakistan’s resistance. With his wickets in the second innings, Robinson’s career average moved to around 19.5, taking him past Bumrah’s previous benchmark of 19.79 for bowlers who made their Test debuts after 2000 and have played at least 20 matches. At the time of this report, Robinson had played 23 Tests, bowling in 43 innings and taking 99 wickets at an average of 19.53. His best innings figures are 5/39. Bumrah, meanwhile, has taken 234 wickets in 52 Tests at an average of 19.79, with best figures of 6/27.
Best Test Bowling Average (Min. 20 Tests)
W Barnes (England - 1890): 21 Tests, 51 wickets, Ave. 15.54, Best 6/28
SF Barnes (England - 1914): 27 Tests, 189 wickets, Ave. 16.43, Best 9/103
R Peel (England - 1896): 20 Tests, 101 wickets, Ave. 16.98, Best 7/31
J Briggs (England - 1899): 33 Tests, 118 wickets, Ave. 17.75, Best 8/11
OE Robinson* (England - 2026*): 23 Tests, 99 wickets, Ave. 19.53, Best 5/39
JJ Bumrah (India - 2026*): 52 Tests, 234 wickets, Ave. 19.79, Best 6/27
Robinson tears through Pakistan resistance
Robinson’s statistical achievement came while he was playing a pivotal role in England’s push for victory at Lord’s. Pakistan were 140/5 at tea on the fourth afternoon, chasing a daunting 389 after England had taken command of the second Test. Robinson broke a stubborn 97-run partnership between Saud Shakeel and Shan Masood, before quickly adding the wicket of Mohammad Rizwan. By tea, Robinson had figures of 4/24 in the innings and had taken eight wickets for 35 runs across the match. Shakeel had produced Pakistan’s strongest batting performance of the innings, reaching 78 to register his second half-century of the series. Masood, meanwhile, scored 26 as the pair frustrated England for almost four hours after Pakistan had slipped to 14/3. The partnership came after Robinson and Jofra Archer had initially threatened to run through Pakistan's middle order in seaming conditions.
Four wickets put England within touching distance
Robinson returned with wicketkeeper Jamie Smith standing up to the stumps and immediately made the breakthrough. Masood was initially given not out after missing an inswinger, but England reviewed the decision and secured an lbw verdict with the ball striking him in line with leg stump. Robinson then removed Rizwan for one. The Pakistan batter attempted a swat but missed and was struck in front of the stumps. Shakeel had earlier reached his 15th Test half-century from 54 balls, using an attacking approach while Masood largely focused on occupying the crease. His 78 remained Pakistan's highest score of the innings and briefly raised hopes of an unlikely fightback.
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England's bowlers had become increasingly frustrated after lunch as Shakeel and Masood resisted for long periods, prompting repeated requests for the umpires to inspect the ball. But Robinson's return changed the momentum once again. His latest spell not only left England on the verge of victory in the second Test but also strengthened a statistical case that places him alongside some of the most effective Test bowlers of the modern era. With 99 wickets from 23 Tests and an average hovering around 19.5, Robinson is now just one wicket away from reaching three figures while sitting above Bumrah on the bowling-average list.
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