Most expensive spells in ODI history:
With the advent of T20 cricket, the 50-over game has seen a lot of changes. Totals in excess of 300 are no longer safe as batters are pushing their limits and making the bowlers rethink their strategies. The quality of bats has also improved considerably over the years. Bowlers have tried implementing new variations and that has also given them commendable success. However, in this article, we will take a look at the most expensive spells in ODI history.
3) 0/110- Wahab Riaz vs England in 2016, 110- Rashid Khan vs England in 2019
Wahab Riaz had a forgettable experience while playing the third ODI between England and Pakistan in 2016 in Nottingham. The home side amassed 444/3 in their 50 overs as Alex Hales scored a belligerent century while Joe Root, Jos Buttler, and Eoin Morgan smashed fifties. Riaz came in the firing line and conceded 110 runs in his 10 overs. Pakistan lost the match by 169 runs.
In the ODI World Cup 2019, England faced Afghanistan in the 24th match in Manchester. Eoin Morgan hit a record 17 sixes en route to a 71-ball 148. Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root scored half-centuries while Moeen Ali played an exhilarating 31-run cameo off just nine balls. Afghanistan’s premier spinner Rashid Khan wasn’t spared as he conceded 110 runs in nine overs. England won the match by 150 runs after posting 397/6 in 50 overs.
2) 0/113 – Mick Lewis vs South Africa in Johannesburg in 2006, 0/113 – Adam Zampa vs South Africa
South Africa and Australia played arguably the greatest ODI encounter of all time back in 2006 in Johannesburg. Australia scored 434/4 while batting first, only to see South Africa chase the target with one wicket and one ball to spare. A lot of bowlers took a beating in that game but it was Mick Lewis who set an unwanted record of conceding the most number of runs by a bowler in ODI cricket at the time. The right-arm pacer was hit for 113 runs in his 10 overs and this, unfortunately, turned out to be his last appearance for the ‘Men in Yellow’.
Adam Zampa equalled the record of his fellow compatriot during the fourth ODI in a five-match series between South Africa and Australia in 2023 in Centurion. The Proteas scored 416/5 as Heinrich Klaasen played a jaw-dropping knock of 174 off 83 balls while Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller registered half-centuries. Zampa gave away 113 runs in 10 overs before Australia lost the clash by 164 runs.
1) 2/115 – Bas de Leede vs Australia in Delhi in 2023
Netherlands faced five-time champions Australia in Delhi in the ODI World Cup 2023. The match, on expected lines, turned out to be a one-sided contest as Australia scored 399/8 before bundling the Dutch side out for 90. Bas de Leede picked up the wickets of Marnus Labuschagne and Josh Inglis but conceded 115 runs in his 10 overs to set a new record.
