During last week, in one of my blogs, I have written about top bowling performances in Test match innings. Today I am writing about the top bowling performances in the One Day International (ODI) cricket match.
THE GREATEST ODI BOWLING PERFORMANCES
The game of cricket is basically a contest between batsmen & bowlers. In the test matches, bowlers have enough time and overs available to them to plan their strategy but in limited over cricket as bowlers get a specific number of overs, their jobs become slightly difficult as they have to take wickets and restrict the batting side run rate.
Bowlers are a grieved lot. They generally do not get helpful bowling conditions in ODI matches, as the ODI game is mainly batsmen-centric, as spectators love to watch batsmen slam boundaries and towering sixes. Whenever bowlers get a slightly favourable pitch, spectators and TV viewers are treated to some scintillating performances by quality spinners and pacers. ODI cricket has especially seen utterly brilliant displays by many leading bowlers and even sometimes unheard bowlers. Now let us look into some great performance of the bowlers in an ODI match
These, the top 10 ODI bowling performances, have been chosen based on the wickets taken along with the economy rate of the bowler(runs conceded per over), and the number of wickets taken, in that particular ODI match.
At no. 10 position is our Jumbo Anil Kumble
6.1 Overs – 2 Maidens – 12 Runs- 6 wickets-1.94 Economy.
In 1993, the large-hearted Indian leg spinner was too good for the visiting West Indian batsmen who were flummoxed by his bowling and fell apart when chasing a modest Indian total of 225 in Calcutta. On November 27, it was the final of the Hero Cup. Before a packed Eden gardens crowd, West Indies skipper Richie Richardson won the toss and elected to field first. Curtly Ambrose and Anderson Cummins bowled a tight line and gave nothing away. Vinod Kambli top-scored for India with 68. While captain Azharuddin scored a useful 38 runs, Sachin Tendulkar and veteran Kapil Dev chipped in with 20-plus scores as the hosts finished with 225/7 in 50 overs. Talk about sedate. The West Indian reply was a typical 1990’s Windies innings – once Brian Lara fell to Tendulkar’s bowling with the score on 57, it was anybody’s game. On that night, it was India’s. Manoj Prabhakar and Kapil Dev dismissed the top and middle order. Kapil was especially good that night, conceding a miserly 18 runs in his 10 overs. Anil Kumble was in fine form that night, polished off the last 6 wickets, and handed the visitors a thrashing, as India won by a massive 102 runs. West Indies were all out for 123 in 40.1 overs, with the last 5 wickets managing to score just 22 runs. As a retrospective in Sportstar recalled, “In the space of 24 balls, Kumble conceded just four runs and packed off six batsmen.” Kumble had sent down 6.1 overs, including two maiden overs, claimed six wickets, and conceded just 12 runs! His economy rate was a measly 1.94. He was named Man of the Match for his decisive spell that won India the final of the tri-series.
No. 9 position also belongs to India, though you’d never guess the bowler. He is—– Stuart Binny
4.4 Overs- 2 Maidens – 4 Runs – 6 wickets-0.85 Economy
Stuart Binny, son of 1983-World-Cup-star Roger Binny, was playing just his 3rd ODI but produced one of the finest spells of medium pace bowling, an effort that saw him secure his place as an all-rounder in the Indian side for a while. His best came against Bangladesh in June 2014 in Dhaka. India had won the first match of the three-ODI series and was looking to seal the series in the second ODI. Bangladesh won the toss and invited India to bat first. Pacer Taskin Ahmed had a fantastic debut, claiming five wickets, including that of Cheteshwar Pujara. He finished with 5/28 from his eight overs as India was dismissed for an embarrassingly under-par 105 runs in just 25.3 overs. The hosts should have won it without breaking a sweat – 106 runs to score in 50 overs. Stuart Binny had other ideas. The all-rounder from Bengaluru came on as the first change bowler in the 10th over. What followed was a mix of precision, chaos from India, and hara-kiri by the home team. Mohit Sharma removed the openers and Binny took over, dispatching the middle order nearly at will. He bowled a tight, disciplined line that dismantled the opposition. And he needed just 4.4 overs to wrap it up. When he took the final Bangladeshi wicket, his tally was six wickets, and he had given away just four runs. Mohit Sharma also bowled well, claiming the other four wickets. Bangladesh were utterly routed, dismissed for a paltry 58 runs in just 17.4 overs, losing by 47 runs against a target of 106. Talk about a bowlers’ match!
At no. 8 position is Winston Davis (West Indies)
10.3 Overs – 0 Maiden – 51 Runs – 7 Wickets – 4.85 Economy
The match where Winston Davis performed this bowling feat is from the league stage match against Australia. It was the last World Cup (1983) of 60 overs each side, where the bowler could bowl max 12 overs. For the records, West Indies batted first and they scored 252/9 in their allotted overs with Larry Gomes scoring 78 runs. Australia had to chase 253 in 60 overs with their formidable batting line up, it was achievable. But Davis runs through the Australian batting line up and they were bundled out 151 in just 30.3 overs. The highest score of 45 runs was from Hookes and the next best was Yallop’s 29.
At no 7 position is Aaqib Javed (Pakistan)
10 Overs – 1 Maiden –37 Runs – 7 Wickets – 3.7 Economy
This performance of Aaqib came against India at Sharjah in 1991. India won the toss and elected to field. Pakistan in their allotted 50 overs scored 262 runs with Zafar Fazal scoring 98(retired hurt) and Salim Malik 87. India started batting very cautiously but when at the score of 47 Ravi Shastri was claimed lbw by Aaqib for 15 runs and immediately in next 2 balls bowled by Aaqib India lost Azharuddin and Tendulkar, and thus Aaqib Javed became the youngest bowler (age 19 years then) to claim hat trick in ODIs, and that record still stands. All the 3 wickets were out LBW. For records, India was all out for 190 in 46 overs with Sanjay Manjrekar scoring 52 runs as the highest contribution.
At no. 6 position is Waqar Younis (Pakistan)
10 Overs – 0 Maidens – 36 Runs – 7 Wickets – 3.6 Economy
Waqar’s performance came against England at Leeds in 2001. Waqar Younis was also captain of the Pakistani side and after winning the toss he invited England team to bat first. He, himself, opened the bowling for Pakistan and bowled his quota of 10 overs in the first spell only. By the time he completed his quota of overs, England’s total stood at 58/7, and all the 7 dismissals to his credit. After this England team tried to revive with a score of 53 from Ben Hollioake and 40 from Darren Gough, but they were all out for 156 runs in 45.2 overs. In their reply, when Pakistan reached 153/4 in 39.5 overs England conceded the match.
At no. 5 position is Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka)
10 Overs – 1 Maiden – 30 Runs – 7 Wickets – 3.0 Economy
Muralitharan’s performance happened against India during Cocacola Champions Trophy at Sharjah in Oct 2000. SL batted first and scored 294/5 in their allotted 50 overs with centuries from Marvin Atapattu (102 no) and Mahila Jayawardene (128). In their 3rd wicket partnership, they scored 226 runs. In their reply, India could score only 226 in 48.5 0vers. Indian batsmen did not have any concrete plan to tackle Muralitharan’s spin bowling, which was really unplayable that day. The only worthwhile contribution was from Tendulkar (61), Badani (42) and Dahiya (40). SL won the match very comfortably.
At no. 4 position is Andy Bichel (Australia)
10 Overs – 0 Maidens – 20 Runs – 7 wickets – 2.0 Economy
Andy Bichel’s this feat happened against England during World Cup 2003. He came as the first change bowler after McGrath and Lee opened the Australian bowling attack. Bichel was instrumental in breaking the opening partnership when he got Knight caught by Martyn, and after that, there was no looking back for Bichel. England could score only 204/8 in their 50 overs. Australia in their reply were 138 for 8, as Caddick had taken the wickets of the top 4 batsmen. At the fall of the 8th wicket with 2 tail enders to come, it was sure that England will win the match easily. Bichel joined Bevan, and they took the Australian to the winning total of 208/8 in 49.4 overs, with Bichel remaining not out on 34.
At no. 3 position there are two players
Glen McGrath (Australia)
7 Overs – 4 Maidens – 15 Runs – 7 Wickets – 2.14 Economy
Although his economy rate is marginally higher than Bichel, as he has bowled only 7 overs with 4 maidens, he is placed higher than Bichel.
This happened during the 2003 World Cup in South Africa, and the opponent team was Namibia. Australia’s mammoth total of 301 seemed too much for Namibia, who were dismissed for only 45 runs. Glenn McGrath claimed 7 Namibian wickets with his accurate line and length. Gilchrist took 4 catches behind the stump off the bowling of McGrath to give Australia a 256 run victory.
Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)
8.4 Overs – 1 Maiden- 18 Runs – 7 Wickets – 2.14 Economy
He is a class spin bowler from Afghanistan, who has been approved as a new member by ICC, who can play ODIs and T20s with other ICC member teams. Rashid Khan nowadays is in great demand from IPL franchises for the last few years. This performance of his was against West Indies in 2017. Batting first Afghanistan scored 212 in 50 overs, and then bowled out WI for 149 runs with Rashid taking 7/18. His performance is really noteworthy because Afghanistan team was just a new member of ICC at that time and WI rating is much higher than theirs.
At no. 2 position is Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)
9 Overs – 3 Maidens – 12 Runs – 7 Wickets – 1.33 Economy
This happened against West Indies at Guyana in 2013. Pakistan batted first and they scored 224/9 in their 50 overs (Misbah ul Haq 52, Afridi 76, Jason Holder 4/13). Afridi was 6th bowler used and he came to bowl only in 23rd over, and straightway took 2 wickets in 2 balls and afterward, he just went through the batting of West Indies and the full team was out in 41 0vers for just 98 runs, with Samuels as the highest scorer with 25 runs.
At no.1 position is Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka)
8 Overs – 3 Maidens – 19 Runs – 8 Wickets – 2.37 Economy.
He is the only bowler to date, who has picked 8 wickets in an ODI inning. The left-arm seamer achieved this milestone against Zimbabwe in 2001 at Colombo(SSC). Batting first Zimbabwean team were all out for only 38 runs in 15.4 overs. He could have taken all the 10 wickets, had Muralitharan not come as a first-change bowler, who just bowled 4 balls and took 2 wickets. For records, SL made 40/1 in just 4.2 overs.
In the above list, you must have seen few bowlers who were lesser-known but in the particular match their performance was so brilliant and the same enable them to enter the record books. Then there are many bowlers, who otherwise bowled very consistently, like Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Brett Lee, Ian Botham, Kapil Dev, Shane Warne & Richard Hadlee are not on this list. Some of them you may find them in the list of top Economy rate bowlers, which I will be writing in the coming week.
Waiting for your views and comments.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
23rd June 2021
During last week, in one of my blog, I have written about top bowling performances in Test match innings. Today I am writing about the top bowling performances in the One Day International (ODI) cricket match.
THE GREATEST ODI BOWLING PERFORMANCES
The game of cricket is basically a contest between batsmen & bowlers. In the test matches, bowlers have enough time and overs available to them to plan their strategy but in limited over cricket as bowlers get a specific number of overs , their jobs become slightly difficult as they have to take wickets and restrict the batting side run rate.
Bowlers are a grieved lot. They generally do not get helpful bowling conditions in ODI matches, as ODI game is mainly batsmen-centric, as spectators love to watch batsmen slam boundaries and towering sixes . Whenever bowlers get a slightly favourable pitch, spectators and TV viewers are treated to some scintillating performances by quality spinners and pacers. ODI cricket has especially seen utterly brilliant displays by many leading bowlers and even sometimes unheard bowlers.Now let us look into some great performance of the bowlers in an ODI match
These, the top 10 ODI bowling performances, have been chosen based on the wickets taken along with economy rate of the bowler(runs conceded per over), and the number of wickets taken, in that particular ODI match.
At no. 10 position is our Jumbo Anil Kumble
6.1 Overs – 2 Maidens – 12 Runs- 6 wickets-1.94 Economy.
In 1993, the large-hearted Indian leg spinner was too good for the visiting West Indian batsmen who were flummoxed by his bowling and fell apart when chasing a modest Indian total of 225 in Calcutta. On November 27, it was the final of the Hero Cup. Before a packed Eden gardens crowd, West Indies skipper Richie Richardson won the toss and elected to field first. Curtly Ambrose and Anderson Cummins bowled a tight line and gave nothing away. Vinod Kambli top scored for India with 68. While captain Azharuddin scored a useful 38 runs, Sachin Tendulkar and veteran Kapil Dev chipped in with 20-plus scores as the hosts finished with 225/7 in 50 overs. Talk about sedate. The West Indian reply was a typical 1990’s Windies innings – once Brian Lara fell to Tendulkar’s bowling with the score on 57, it was anybody’s game. On that night, it was India’s. Manoj Prabhakar and Kapil Dev dismissed the top and middle order. Kapil was especially good that night, conceding a miserly 18 runs in his 10 overs. Anil Kumble was in fine form that night, polished off the last 6 wickets and handed the visitors a thrashing, as India won by a massive 102 runs. West Indies were all out for 123 in 40.1 overs, with the last 5 wickets managing to score just 22 runs. As a retrospective in Sportstar recalled, “In the space of 24 balls, Kumble conceded just four runs and packed off six batsmen.” Kumble had sent down 6.1 overs, including two maiden overs, claimed six wickets and conceded just 12 runs! His economy rate was a measly 1.94. He was named Man of the Match for his decisive spell that won India the final of the tri-series.
No. 9 position also belongs to India, though you’d never guess the bowler. He is—– Stuart Binny
4.4 Overs- 2 Maidens – 4 Runs – 6 wickets-0.85 Economy
Stuart Binny, son of 1983-World-Cup-star Roger Binny, was playing just his 3rd ODI but produced one of the finest spells of medium pace bowling, an effort that saw him secure his place as an all-rounder in the Indian side for a while. His best came against Bangladesh in June 2014 at Dhaka. India had won the first match of the three-ODI series and were looking to seal the series in the second ODI. Bangladesh won the toss and invited India to bat first. Pacer Taskin Ahmed had a fantastic debut, claiming five wickets, including that of Cheteshwar Pujara. He finished with 5/28 from his eight overs as India were dismissed for an embarrassingly under-par 105 runs in just 25.3 overs. The hosts should have won it without breaking a sweat – 106 runs to score in 50 overs. Stuart Binny had other ideas. The all-rounder from Bengaluru came on as the first change bowler in the 10th over. What followed was a mix of precision, chaos from India, and hara-kiri by the home team. Mohit Sharma removed the openers and Binny took over, dispatching the middle order nearly at will. He bowled a tight, disciplined line that dismantled the opposition. And he needed just 4.4 overs to wrap it up. When he took the final Bangladeshi wicket, his tally was six wickets, and he had given away just four runs. Mohit Sharma also bowled well, claiming the other four wickets. Bangladesh was utterly routed, dismissed for a paltry 58 runs in just 17.4 overs, losing by 47 runs against a target of 106. Talk about a bowlers’ match!
At no. 8 position is Winston Davis (West Indies)
10.3 Overs – 0 Maiden – 51 Runs – 7 Wickets – 4.85 Economy
The match where Winston Davis performed this bowling feat is from the league stage match against Australia. It was a last World Cup (1983) of 60 overs each side, where the bowler could bowl max 12 overs. For the records, West Indies batted first and they scored 252/9 in their allotted overs with Larry Gomes scoring 78 runs. Australia had to chase 253 in 60 overs with their formidable batting lineup, it was achievable. But Davis runs through the Australian batting line up and they were bundled out 151 in just 30.3 overs. The highest score of 45 runs was from Hookes and the next best was Yallop’s 29.
At no 7 position is Aaqib Javed (Pakistan)
10 Overs – 1 Maiden –37 Runs – 7 Wickets – 3.7 Economy
This performance of Aaqib came against India at Sharjah in 1991. India won the toss and elected to field. Pakistan in their allotted 50 overs scored 262 runs with Zafar Fazal scoring 98(retired hurt) and Salim Malik 87. India started batting very cautiously but when at the score of 47 Ravi Shastri was claimed lbw by Aaqib for 15 runs and immediately in next 2 balls bowled by Aaqib India lost Azharuddin and Tendulkar, and thus Aaqib Javed became the youngest bowler (age 19 years then) to claim hat trick in ODIs, and that record still stands. All the 3 wickets were out LBW. For records, India was all out for 190 in 46 overs with Sanjay Manjrekar scoring 52 runs as the highest contribution.
At no. 6 position is Waqar Younis (Pakistan)
10 Overs – 0 Maidens – 36 Runs – 7 Wickets – 3.6 Economy
Waqar’s performance came against England at Leeds in 2001. Waqar Younis was also captain of the Pakistani side and after winning the toss he invited the England team to bat first. He, himself, opened the bowling for Pakistan and bowled his quota of 10 overs in the first spell only. By the time he completed his quota of overs, England’s total stood at 58/7, and all the 7 dismissals to his credit. After this England team tried to revive with a score of 53 from Ben Hollioake and 40 from Darren Gough, but they were all out for 156 runs in 45.2 overs. In their reply, when Pakistan reached 153/4 in 39.5 overs England conceded the match.
At no. 5 position is Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka)
10 Overs – 1 Maiden – 30 Runs – 7 Wickets – 3.0 Economy
Muralitharan’s performance happened against India during Cocacola Champions Trophy at Sharjah in Oct 2000. SL batted first and scored 294/5 in their allotted 50 overs with centuries from Marvin Atapattu (102 no) and Mahila Jayawardene (128). In their 3rd wicket partnership, they scored 226 runs. In their reply, India could score only 226 in 48.5 0vers. Indian batsmen did not have any concrete plan to tackle Muralitharan’s spin bowling, who was really unplayable that day. Only worthwhile contribution was from Tendulkar (61), Badani (42) and Dahiya (40). SL won the match very comfortably.
At no. 4 position is Andy Bichel (Australia)
10 Overs – 0 Maidens – 20 Runs – 7 Wickets – 2.0 Economy
Andy Bichel’s this feat happened against England during World Cup 2003. He came as the first change bowler after McGrath and Lee opened the Australian bowling attack. Bichel was instrumental in breaking the opening partnership when he got Knight caught by Martyn, and after that, there was no looking back for Bichel. England could score only 204/8 in their 50 overs. Australia in their reply were 138 for 8, as Caddick had taken the wickets of the top 4 batsmen. At the fall of the 8th wicket with 2 tail enders to come, it was sure that England will win the match easily. Bichel joined Bevan, and they took the Australian to winning total of 208/8 in 49.4 overs, with Bichel remaining not out on 34.
At no. 3 position there are two players
Glen McGrath (Australia)
7 Overs – 4 Maidens – 15 Runs – 7 Wickets – 2.14 Economy
Although his economy rate is marginally higher than Bichel, as he has bowled only 7 overs with 4 maidens, he is placed higher than Bichel.
This happened during the 2003 World Cup in South Africa, and the opponent team was Namibia. Australia’s mammoth total of 301 seemed too much for Namibia, who were dismissed for only 45 runs. Glenn McGrath claimed 7 Namibian wickets with his accurate line and length. Gilchrist took 4 catches behind the stump off the bowling of McGrath to give Australia a 256 run victory.
Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)
8.4 Overs – 1 Maiden- 18 Runs – 7 Wickets – 2.14 Economy
He is a class spin bowler from Afghanistan, who has been approved as a new member by ICC, who can play ODIs and T20s with other ICC member teams. Rashid Khan nowadays is in great demand from IPL franchises for the last few years. This performance of his was against West Indies in 2017. Batting first Afghanistan scored 212 in 50 overs, and then bowled out WI for 149 runs with Rashid taking 7/18. His performance is really noteworthy because the Afghanistan team was just a new member of ICC at that time and WI rating is much higher than them.
At no. 2 position is Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)
9 Overs – 3 Maidens – 12 Runs – 7 Wickets – 1.33 Economy
This happened against West Indies at Guyana in 2013. Pakistan batted first and they scored 224/9 in their 50 overs (Misbah ul Haq 52, Afridi 76, Jason Holder 4/13). Afridi was 6th bowler used and he came to bowl only in 23rd over, and straightway took 2 wickets in 2 balls and afterward, he just went through the batting of West Indies and full team was out in 41 0vers for just 98 runs, with Samuels as the highest scorer with 25 runs.
At no.1 position is Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka)
8 Overs – 3 Maidens – 19 Runs – 8 Wickets – 2.37 Economy.
He is the only bowler to date, who has picked 8 wickets in ODI innings. The left-arm seamer achieved this milestone against Zimbabwe in 2001 at Colombo(SSC). Batting first Zimbabwean team were all out for only 38 runs in 15.4 overs. He could have taken all the 10 wickets, had Muralitharan not come as a first-change bowler, who just bowled 4 balls and took 2 wickets. For records, SL made 40/1 in just 4.2 overs.
In the above list, you must have seen few bowlers who were lesser-known but in the particular match their performance was so brilliant and the same enable them to enter the record books. Then there are many bowlers, who otherwise bowled very consistently, like Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Brett Lee, Ian Botham, Kapil Dev, Shane Warne & Richard Hadlee are not on this list. Some of them you may find in the list of top Economy rate bowlers, which I will be writing in the coming week.
Waiting for your views and comments.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
23rd June 2021
Tejinder Singh Sethi
Though at no.10 leg Spinner Anil Kumble tops the list of most wicket-takers by an Indian bowler in ODI. He took 334 wickets at an average of 30.83.