Published: Dec 24, 2011, 11:00 AM (IST)
Edited: Aug 23, 2014, 07:01 PM (IST)
By Karthik Parimal
As this year draws to an end, it has become evident that the One-Day International (ODI) format has received a mixed response from the global audience. The 2011 World Cup raised hopes that this format was here to stay, but lots of meaningless series and ODIs thereafter ensured that there was a considerable dip in viewership and low turnouts at stadiums. Nevertheless, more than 140 ODIs were played this year and fine performances ought to be appreciated.
In my previous article, I shed light on some of the most memorable bowling performances in Test cricket from the year 2011. Let us now reminisce on some of the equally good performances by bowlers in the ODI format:
1. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) – (5-35 vs Sri Lanka at Sharjah)
This performance by Shahid Afridi can be classified under one of the most memorable comebacks by any player. Pakistan cricket has often been mired in controversies and it was Afridi at the helm this time around as he had come out of conditional retirement, yet again, before the ODI series against Sri Lanka in the UAE. He scored a quick-fire 75 before taking five for 35, thereby helping Pakistan to an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series.
Pakistan managed to score just 200 from their allotted quota of 50 overs and Sri Lanka was well on course at 155 for three, needing a comfortable 46 to win from 74 balls when Afridi played havoc. Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, two of Sri Lanka’s most crucial players, were sent packing by Afridi. This was the start of Sri Lanka’s downfall in the match. He ripped through the lower-order to complete a five-wicket haul.
His numerous five-wicket hauls in the World Cup notwithstanding, this one ranks higher purely because of the circumstances, context and quality of the opposition.
2. Dale Steyn (South Africa) – (5-50 vs India at Nagpur, ICC World Cup 2011)
Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag can be any opposition’s worst nightmare when they get going. This nightmare came true for South Africa as India raced to 267 for one in the 40th over in a match that was considered a clash of giants in the World Cup. In came Dale Steyn as he cleverly cramped Gautam Gambhir for room with a slower delivery, ensuring that the batsman chipped it in the air to offer a catch. Things were still looking scary for the Proteas as India were sitting pretty on 268 for three in the 41st over.
The fierce Steyn then got rid of the dangerous Yusuf Pathan in the same over before getting through the defenses of Harbhajan Singh. He then cleaned up the tail, ensuring that India were bowled out for under 300. South Africa eventually went on to win the game and became the only team to beat India in that tournament.
3. Wahab Riaz (Pakistan) – (5-46 vs India at Mohali, ICC World Cup 2011)
It was the mother of all battles as India faced Pakistan at Mohali for a berth in the World Cup Final. It was certainly a pressure-cooker situation for players from both these sides. India had played some fantastic cricket right throughout the tournament and so did Pakistan.
Nevertheless, it all boiled down to this. There was a lot of talk regarding whether Shoaib Akhtar should be picked. At the end, it was Wahab Riaz who eventually made it to the playing eleven, and he did not disappoint. He got the key wickets of Virender Sehwag and Virat Kohli, and sent Yuvraj Singh back to the hut for a golden duck. He also trapped Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni in front of the stumps and later had Zaheer Khan caught behind, thereby completing a five-wicket haul in a World Cup semi-final.
Sadly for Pakistan, Wahab Riaz’s stupendous spell of five for 46 wasn’t enough to hold India aback, as the Pakistani batsmen made a mockery of the chase and squandered the chance for a place in the World Cup final.
4. Mitchell Johnson (Australia) – (6-31 vs Sri Lanka at Pallekele)
Sri Lankan wickets usually provide a great deal of assistance to spinners and tearaway fast bowlers like Lasith Malinga who are familiar with the subcontinent conditions. This was Sri Lanka’s first home ODI series after its fairly successful run at the 2011 World Cup. Skill wise, Australia and Sri Lanka were evenly matched. However, it needed an exceptional bowling performance by the Australian side to restrict Sri Lanka to fewer than 200 in the latter’s own backyard. Mitchell Johnson assisted his team in doing exactly that as he demolished the Sri Lankan middle-order before finishing with figures of 6 for 31 in 10 overs to restrict Sri Lanka to just 191. The Aussies romped home with seven wickets to spare. Johnson finished the series as Australia’s highest wicket-taker and the Men in Yellow eventually won the series 3-2.
5. Brian Vitori (Zimbabwe) – (5-30 vs Bangladesh at Harare)
In reality, Bangladesh should have had it easy against a new looking Zimbabwe side. However, they had no clue whatsoever as to what would hit them. Two young fast bowlers from Zimbabwe – Kyle Jarvis and Brian Vitori – suddenly shot into limelight in the series for some extremely good bowling performances and for their ability to clock decent speeds. In this first match of the ODI series, it was Vitori who destroyed Bangladesh’s hopes of pulling off a victory. Vitori grabbed a five-wicket haul to reduce Bangladesh to just 184, and went on to become only the seventh player in the history of ODI cricket to take a five-wicket haul on debut. The 21 year-old also completed a five-wicket haul in the second ODI and bettered his career best from five for 30 to five for 20.
Vitori became the highest wicket-taker of the series that Zimbabwe went on to win 3-2.
(If cricket is a religion and has many devotees, Karthik Parimal would be a primary worshipper. This 23 year old graduate student, pursuing his Masters in Engineering, could be an appropriate example of how the layers of what inspires, motivates and keeps one happy run deeply in our daily lives. He, unlike others, is not too disappointed about not making it big by playing for the country, but believes that he plays the sport every day with his heart by watching and writing on it)
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