Best economy rate in an ODI innings

Watching bowlers bowling tough spells against world-class batters is one of the most satisfying things for cricket fans. It’s nothing new to witness economically impressive spells in red-ball cricket, but bowling maiden overs in white-ball cricket is really challenging. The legendary Indian spinner Bishan Singh Bedi played only 10 ODIs, but bowled one of the best spells in history in 1975. He conceded only six runs from his 12-over spell with eight maiden overs and a wicket to create a world record for the best economical spell in ODI cricket. But there are three pace bowlers who have surpassed that remarkable record, so let’s take a look at it.

3. Dermot Reeve (0.40 against Pakistan, 1992)

During the 1992 World Cup, England’s pacer bowled the best economical spell in ODI history against Pakistan. Pakistan were bowled out for just 74 runs in 40.2 overs after impressive spells from English pacers. Dermot Reeve, a right-arm medium pacer, bowled only five runs and took a wicket while conceding only two runs at an unbelievable economy rate of 0.40. Reeve broke Indian spinner Bishan Singh Bedi’s world record of 0.50 economy rate set in 1975 against East Africa.

2. Phil Simmons (0.30 against Pakistan, 1992)

On December 17, 1992, West Indies all-rounder Phil Simmons bowled one of the best spells in ODI cricket history. While defending a 215 low score, West Indies bowlers bowled out a strong Pakistani lineup on just 81 runs in 48 overs. The right-arm batting all-rounder took four wickets from his 10-over spell and conceded only three runs at an economy rate of 0.30 at Sydney Cricket Ground. Simmons bowled eight maiden overs with no extra runs from his then-world-record magical spell.

1. Sean Abbott (0.20 against New Zealand, 2022)

Australian right-arm pacer Sean Abbott missed the opening ODI clash against New Zealand but get a chance to play the second match in place of injured Cameron Green. Australia won the match by a big margin of 113 runs to seal the three-match series in Cairns. Adam Zampa took five wickets while defending a 196-run target but it was Sean Abbott who stole the show with the best economical spell record in ODI history. He conceded only one run from his five-over spell and took two big wickets. Abbott bowled 28 consecutive dot balls in his excellent spell, which is the joint second-highest dot-ball record in ODI cricket.