Ranking 3 most expensive spells by a bowler in ODI cricket history

Bowlers play a pivotal role in shaping the outcome of matches, especially in a format like ODI cricket. While they often enjoy moments of glory, there are times when they become the subject of statistics that they’d rather forget. The relentless aggression and the quality of modern-day batters can make it extremely challenging for bowlers to maintain control. 

In this article, we’ll take a look at the records to rank the top three most expensive bowling spells in ODI cricket history. These performances demonstrate the challenges and, at times, the ruthlessness of the modern limited-overs format. These records remind us that ODI cricket can be a fierce battleground, where bowlers face immense pressure to deliver.

1. Bas de Leede’s 2/115 vs Australia (Delhi, 2023):

Starting our list is a relatively recent entry. Bas de Leede, representing the Netherlands, found himself in the record books with an expensive spell against Australia in Delhi during the 2023 ODI World Cup. De Leede’s figures of 2/115 reflect the challenges of facing a formidable Australian batting lineup. While taking two wickets is commendable, conceding 115 runs underscores the dominance of the Australian batters in the match. The Kangaroos ended up scoring 399 runs in 50 overs.

2. Mick Lewis’s 0/113 vs South Africa (Johannesburg, 2006):

Mick Lewis’ infamous performance against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2006 takes the second spot in our ranking. Lewis, representing Australia, ended the match with figures of 0/113. The term “unlucky” doesn’t begin to describe his day on the field, as South Africa’s batters thrashed his bowling with relentless aggression. This performance remains etched in cricketing memory as one of the most expensive spells in ODI history.

3. Adam Zampa’s 0/113 vs South Africa (Centurion, 2023):

Sharing the second spot with Mick Lewis is Adam Zampa, an Australian leg-spinner who experienced an expensive outing in Centurion during the 2023 series against South Africa. Like Lewis, Zampa also conceded 113 runs without taking a wicket. Whenever these two cricketing powerhouses clash, the bowlers on both sides find themselves under relentless pressure from the batters. On this particular day, it was Zampa who faced the brunt of the aggressive batting assault.