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Brian Lara’s unbreakable record of 400 runs in a Test innings or Virender Sehwag’s classic 300 in a Test match against Pakistan, both are edged in the memory of every cricket fan. The fans over the years have been more rejoiced by batting miracles than by a bowling spectacles.
How many of us remember moments of Shane Warne completing his 700 wickets or Dale Steyn bowling a long and tiring spell in Test cricket? A few of us may do. But, these bowling performances are not only crucial in a team’s performance, but also to maintain the standard of cricket and its ability to enthral its fans.
Here are 5 such bowling spells in World cricket which were brilliant in the sense that they were exquisite and worthy enough to be remembered and cherished.
5. Zaheer Khan
Zaheer Khan has been India’s main frontline bowler for years, who has led the bowling attack with complete force and dedication. Though currently out of the team due to fitness issues, he bowled some sensational and match winning bowling spells in his 15-year long career which gave team India a lot of glory over years.
India’s tour to England in 2007, Zaheer was the man of the series for his 18 wickets. His best performance came in second innings of the 2nd Test match where he was unstoppable.
Making perfect use of the new ball, he troubled the batsman with his raw pace and enigmatic swing to take 5 wickets for 75 runs. He bowled 27 overs in his long spell which saw a charismatic display of his reverse swing bowling with the old ball.
4. Shane Bond
New Zealand’s 2nd highest wicket taker, Shane Bond is known to be one of the most destructive bowlers who had the ability to destroy the opposition in no time. Quick and accurate, Bond was difficult to bat against and he retired as one of the most admired Kiwi bowler.
Super sixes match of the 2003 ICC world cup between Australia and New Zealand in port Elizabeth will be a lost memory, but not for the cricket fans who saw a fiery bond on fire with the ball.
The hard surface was having bounce and Bond got the best of the Aussies batsmen. He took 6 wickets by just giving 23 runs and bowled with a consistent speed and perfect line and length. He hardly lost his momentum and bowled a spell which not only provided entertainment to the fans but also proved his worth as the fast bowler.
3. Irfan Pathan
Irfan Pathan, a left-arm medium Indian pacer is known to be one of the finest all-rounders to have played for India. But it’s his ability to swing the ball that brought him glory. The National Stadium in Karachi was on its feet when Pathan delivered one of the breath-taking spells in the history of Indian cricket.
Touring Pakistan in 2006, Irfan Pathan ripped through the opposition on a green surface in Karachi taking a hat-trick in the very first over of the match. It was an ecstatic display of swing bowling which made the Pakistan batsman helpless.
He became the only second Indian bowler after Harbhajan Singh to take a hat-trick in Test cricket. His sensational bowling of good seam and swing aiming at the stumps gave him figures 5-61.
2. Ishant Sharma
Ishant Sharma has played the role of India’s spearhead over the last few years. A right-hand fast bowler, he has been successful for India in overseas conditions because of his fast pace and quick delivery action.
Ishant Sharma stepped up to the occasion to do what was to be history by making India win a test match in lords after 30 years. A spell which destroyed the backbone of England batsman and gave Ishant his career best bowling figures of 7 for 74. An aggressive and powerful Ishant made good use of the seaming conditions and short ball in disturbing the English batsman. A long and continuous spell of fast and accurate short bowling was a sight to witness.
1. Dale Steyn
Dale Steyn needs no introduction. Popularly known as Steyn remover or Steyn gun, he is the no. 1 Test bowler and has been a true ambassador for the sport. His consistency with the ball and his ability to take wickets has been sensational over a decade.
Though there have been some amazing bowling performances by him in last few years, but his performance against Pakistan in a Test match in 2013 has to be counted as one of the best opening spells ever bowled in cricket.
Running hard, Steyn was on fire. Making good use of the seaming conditions, he was pitching the ball in the right areas and swinging it both ways to trouble the batsman. And what followed was a disaster for Pakistan as they recorded their lowest test score ever. Steyn destroyed the Pakistan batting line-up by taking 6 wickets for 8 runs, a spell which saw the exemplary display of seam presentation and swing bowling.
"I've never seen two hours of relentless, incredible pace bowling such as I have witnessed today,'' said Pakistan team coach Whatmore
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