They say cricket is a batsman's game, and for a reason - especially when it comes to the limited overs format. All a team needs to do is bat big to win a game in a stipulated number of overs. Every international team is studded with power hitters to get quick runs and make life miserable for the bowlers. Sure there are some games where the bowlers call the shots but in most games, the conditions are loaded heavily in favour of the batsmen to make merry.
The balance between bat and ball is hardly present with the bowlers facing the wrath of the batters. In this article, we look at 5 bowlers who have conceded the most number of runs in an ODI without picking up a single wicket!
#5 Peter Connell 9-0-95-0 : Ireland vs New Zealand, Aberdeen, Scotland, 2008
This was the first game of the Associates Tri-series and any match couldn't have been more lopsided than this! The Black Caps won this game by 290 runs after they scored 402 batting first and skittled Ireland out for an embarrassing 112.
Peter Connell, the Irish medium-pacer and opening bowler for this game, went for 95 runs off just 9 overs at an economy rate of 10.55 runs per over. He was taken apart by the openers and an opening partnership of 274 ensured that Ireland could never recover from the mess they were in.
Brendon 'Baz' McCullum with 166 and James Marshall with 161 turned the screws on the Irish with Connell being the most expensive of them all. Connell redeemed himself a wee bit after he top-scored for his side with an unbeaten 22 as the hapless Irish were bundled out for a paltry 112.
Also Read: Most expensive bowling spells in ODIs
#4 Steve Harmison 10-0-97-0: England vs Sri Lanka, Leeds, 2006
In this match, the Lankan batsmen rubbed it in and the victim of their assault was poor Steve Harmison. There was absolute carnage at Headingley after England thought they had enough in the bank with 324 runs.
Little did they know that the opening partnership between Sanath Jayasuriya and Upul Tharanga would torment them. The pair amassed 286 runs and one of England’s trusted lieutenants, Steve Harmison, went for as many as 97 runs in his quota of 10 overs. Jayasuriya scored an awe-inspiring 152 and Tharanga an elegant 109, helped Lanka chase down 321 in just 37.3 overs.
This was a walk in the park for the Lankans and a trial by fire for Harmison who was carted for 12 fours and 2 sixes. Harmison also gave away 3 no balls and 5 wides to make things worse.
#3 Muttiah Muralitharan 10-0-99-0: Australia vs Sri Lanka, VB Series, Sydney, 2006
The spin wizard wasn't spared too! It was the second final of the VB series and the match was completely dominated by the mighty Australians, after some initial hiccups. The Aussies were tottering at 10/3 when Ponting and Symonds scripted one of the most amazing turnarounds by putting together a 200 plus partnership. Aussies eventually posted a massive 368 on the board and the Lankans collapsed to 201 in response.
If Ponting and Symonds were good against pace they were outstanding against spin on an SCG wicket that traditionally supported spin. Lanka had the best spinner in the world in their ranks but Ponting and Symonds dominated Murali like no one ever had.
Murali wasn't allowed to get into his groove and anything loose from him disappeared from sight. He was hit for 6 fours and 3 massive sixes by the Oz batsmen.
#2 Tim Southee 10-0-105-0: New Zealand vs India, Christchurch, 2009
A small ground, a good flat pitch with true bounce and two teams packed with quality batsmen! This was the story of the 3rd ODI of India's tour of New Zealand in 2009. The Kiwis won the toss and opted to chase some leather. ‘Master Blaster’ Sachin Tendulkar played the role of ‘chief destroyer’ scoring 163 runs and helping India amass 392 runs.
Tim Southee, one of the vital cogs in the Kiwi wheel, was subjected to some special treatment that day. With no lateral movement on offer, Southee went the distance in that game. He couldn't find his rhythm towards the back end of the innings as well and was flogged around by the Indian skipper MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina.
The Kiwis lost by 58 runs with the game turning out to be a forgettable experience for young Southee.
#1 Mick Lewis 10-0-113-0: Australia vs South Africa, Wanderers, 2006
One can imagine the treatment meted to the bowlers when the batters pile up as many as 872 runs in a match. Yes, we are referring to THAT famous Wanderers match where South Africa did the unimaginable by chasing down Australia's humungous 434 runs with one ball to spare. Who could forget that moment when the Wanderers erupted into wild celebrations when Mark Boucher smashed Brett Lee over mid on to score the winning runs!
A certain gentleman from Australia, Mick Lewis, leaked runs like no other, in that cracker of a match. Herschelle Gibbs & co. took a special liking to his medium pace and Lewis was carted around the bull-ring with utter disdain.
He gave away as many as 113 runs at an economy rate of 11.3. He was smashed for 13 boundaries and 4 maximums in that innings, making him the most expensive bowler in the history of ODI cricket.
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