Only three left-arm spinners to have 300 ODI wickets
There are different kinds of bowlers in the sport of cricket. In this history of the one-day international (ODI) format, a few notable left-arm slow bowlers have achieved significant success in the art of left-arm orthodox spin bowling. These prominent names have reached the landmark of a triple century of wickets in the 50-overs format as they feature in this article.
Let’s take a look at the three left-arm spinners who have picked up 300 scalps in the history of ODIs:
3. Shakib Al Hasan (301)
Star Bangladeshi all-rounder occupies the third position in this elite list. Having made his debut in the format against Zimbabwe in Harare in the year 2006, the slow left-arm orthodox bowler has picked up 301 wickets in 230 matches. Shakib’s average is 28.94 and his strike rate is 38.9 with an economy rate of 4.45 in 225 innings. In ODIs, the veteran player has taken five-wicket hauls four times with the best bowling performance of 5/29. Shakib has also snared four scalps in an innings ten times in his career so far.
2. Daniel Vettori (305)
Former New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori is the second name on this chart. He made his maiden ODI appearance against Sri Lanka in Christchurch in 1997. Vettori picked up 305 wickets in 295 games at an average of 31.71 and a strike rate of 46.0 with an economy rate of just 4.12. The Kiwi is known for his economical bowling as he mastered the art of keeping the opposition quiet. In 277 innings he took two five-wicket hauls and eight four-wicket hauls, with the best figures of 5/7. Vettori’s last appearance came against Australia in the 2015 WC final.1.
1. Sanath Jayasuriya (323)
Former Sri Lanka legend Sanath Jayasuriya tops the chart. The Sri Lankan master made his ODI debut against Australia in Melbourne in the year 1989. He picked up 323 wickets in 445 ODIs at an average of 36.75 and a strike rate of 46.0 with an economy rate of just 4.78. In 368 innings, Jayasuriya took five wickets four times and four wickets eight times with the best bowling performance of 6/29 in his illustrious career. Jayasuriya last stepped out on the field in the 50-overs format against England at The Oval in 2011.
