Top 5: Most Expensive Bowling Figures in ODI Cricket

Many memorable moments have been created in One-Day Internationals (ODIs), particularly when batsmen have outperformed bowlers. As the game developed, aggressive batting became the standard, and bowlers occasionally found themselves unable to stop an unrelenting barrage.

Over time, longer and thicker willows have been made possible by improved technology, which has mostly given the bat the upper hand over the ball. It’s also important to observe that this generation of cricket players has adopted an aggressive mindset, which has allowed them to cross boundaries whenever they choose.

Even while bowlers frequently take pride in their tight sessions and significant breakthroughs, there are moments when the opposition simply goes crazy and their numbers suffer.

Here, we look at the top 5 instances where bowlers ended up with the most expensive figures in ODIs, leaving them with records they’d probably rather not own.

5. Rashid Khan (Afghanistan): 0/110 vs England (2019)

Widely regarded as one of the best leg-spinners in modern cricket, Rashid Khan endured a rare nightmare in the 2019 World Cup.

Playing against England in Manchester, Rashid couldn’t stem the flow of runs, especially against a rampaging Eoin Morgan, who smashed 17 sixes in his record-breaking innings. Rashid bowled just 9 overs, conceding 110 runs with an economy of 12.22, making his spell the most expensive in World Cup history.

For an experienced bowler, whose variations are often nasty and can easily crumble an all-set top order, it was a bliss to watch England pile up 397 for 6. It was on that day that Morgan and his comrades rubbished Rashid, thus putting to shame his normally sound image.

4. Wahab Riaz (Pakistan): 0/110 vs England (2016)

Pakistan’s Wahab Riaz, known for his fiery pace and aggression, had a rough day at the office when England’s batsmen took him to the cleaners in Nottingham in 2016.

In what became the then-highest ODI total (444/3), England’s Alex Hales and company made life miserable for Riaz. He conceded 110 runs in his 10 overs without taking a wicket, ending with an economy rate of 11.00.

It was one of those days where nothing went right for the Pakistani pacer, as England’s batsmen found the boundary at will. Riaz’s figures, combined with the sheer dominance of England’s batting, made this a day to forget for Pakistan.

3. Adam Zampa (Australia): 0/113 vs South Africa (2023)

Adam Zampa, another Australian on the list, is a leg-spinner who went through an eerily similar experience to Mick Lewis. Again, in Centurion in 2023, South Africa punished an Australian bowler.

Adam Zampa known for his control and variations failed to find his rhythm as the South African batsmen under the captaincy of Heinrich Klaasen took him apart. In his 10 overs, he gave away 113 runs which were without any wickets, leaving him with an economy rate of 11.30.

The spinner had a tough time there because Australia needed him to stem the flow during those middle stages. This performance matched Mick Lewis’ figures but didn’t carry the same drama of a historic chase.

2. Mick Lewis (Australia): 0/113 vs South Africa (2006)

Mick Lewis of Australia had the regrettable record for the most runs given up in an ODI until Bas de Leede.

Australia tore apart South African bowlers in Johannesburg in 2006, setting a world record total of 434 runs in a contest that instantly became legendary. The drama didn’t end there, though, as South Africa executed a stunning chase to win the game by scoring 438 runs.

With Australia’s massive score to defend, Mick Lewis was helpless against the Proteas’ unrelenting batting. With an economy of 11.30, he conceded 113 runs in his 10 overs without taking a single wicket. His awful day gained even more notoriety because of the game’s gigantic scope.

1. Bas de Leede (Netherlands): 2/115 vs Australia (2023)

During the 2023 ICC World Cup in India, Dutch versatile Bas de Leede had a day to neglect versus the powerhouse Australian batting at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Australia absolutely damaged de Leede’s bowling, surrendering a record 115 runs in his 10 overs driven by eruptive innings from the dreadful Australian batting attack. Despite taking 2 wickets consisting of the much desirable scalp of Steven Smith, his economy remained on top of the lineup with a whopping 11.50, showing the strength of the strike.

Australia racked up a great deal of runs, making this one of the most expensive ODI spells ever before. On a massive occasion, it was a tough day for the young bowler from the Netherlands.