Ranking Curtly Ambrose's Greatest Spells in Test Cricket

Curtly Ambrose is one of the most fearsome fast bowlers in all of cricket history—a player who wreaked havoc for the West Indies for over a decade.

His extraordinary height allowed him to generate steepling bounce off the pitch, while he was also able to get plenty of movement in the air.

He was known for his ability to bowl in the “corridor of uncertainty,” a constant line just outside off stump that would fool batsmen into playing at deliveries they could leave.

Alongside fast bowling partner Courtney Walsh, Ambrose caused problems across the world, and he was particularly effective at generating momentum and ripping through teams quickly.

With that in mind, and as he celebrates his 52nd birthday, let’s take a look at some of his greatest spells in Test cricket.

We start this ranking at the 1993 Test between hosts Australia and the West Indies in Adelaide, with the men from Down Under coming into the game 1-0 up in the five-match series.

In their first innings, the visitors reached just 252, so they needed their bowlers to step up and keep it close, which Ambrose did with aplomb.

His six for 74 came in 28.2 overs and saw him rip the heart out of Australia’s batting lineup as he dismissed Mark Waugh, Steve Waugh, Allan Border and Ian Healy.

In the end, that contribution was vital as the away side clung on for a one-run win.

In South Africa’s first Test back after being readmitted to international cricket in 1992, the Proteas needed just 201 to beat the West Indies in Bridgetown, Barbados.

They looked likely to do so as Kepler Wessels and Peter Kirsten put on 96 for the third wicket, but when the former departed, Ambrose stepped up a gear.

Having already removed both openers cheaply, he and Courtney Walsh ripped through the visitors’ batting lineup as no other player made more than four runs.

It meant South Africa were bowled out for 148, handing the West Indians victory by 52 runs in the one-off Test.

At the start of the fifth day of the fourth Test in 1990 between the West Indies and England in Bridgetown, Barbados, England were 15 for three but had Alec Stewart and Jack Russell holding firm.

The pair continued to look in good touch as the away side attempted to chase down 356 for victory or hold out for the draw, until Ambrose intervened.

Having already taken two of the first three wickets to fall, he removed Stewart and then took all bar one of the remaining wickets, including the stubborn Russell.

It was just what the West Indies needed as their premier fast bowler blew away the English resistance and finished with eight for 45 from 22.4 overs to the delight of the home fans.

In the third Test between the West Indies and England in Trinidad, the away side looked in good shape to win as they needed 194 in their second innings to take victory.

However, having taken five for 60 in the first innings, Ambrose wreaked further havoc as he took six for 24 in 10 unrelenting and unchanged overs to hustle England out for 46.

He dismissed captain Michael Atherton leg-before wicket with his first ball and continued from there as only Alec Stewart made double figures.

It meant a somewhat embarrassing defeat for England, although they came up against a force of nature in that fourth innings.

Top of the pile comes Ambrose’s single-handed demolition of hosts Australia’s first innings in Perth at the beginning of 1993.

The series was drawn going into the fifth Test at the WACA, and Australia won the toss and decided to bat on a pitch that offered the batsmen plenty of encouragement.

However, they did not count on Ambrose being at his best as he took seven wickets for just one run in 32 balls, leaving the hosts bowled out for 119.

Ambrose’s final figures were seven for 25 from 18 overs, with only five Australians reaching double figures and only David Boon passing 20.

It put the home side well behind, and in the end, the West Indians took a comfortable victory by an innings and 25 runs.