Most expensive bowling spells in ODIs

As the cricket bat gets broader and heavier and the boundaries get shortened, I wonder why the ball doesn’t get modified. Why not get a ball that swings more, bounces more or spins more? Bowlers have been the target for devastating batsmen in the last few years and it would not be an exaggeration to say that batsmen enjoy a certain advantage in today’s world. As a spectator, you may love fours and sixes raining, but also feel for the bowlers who are at the receiving end.

The greatest one-day match which saw South Africa chase down Australia’s mammoth total of 434 recorded the most runs conceded by a bowler in the history of one-day internationals. Aussie bowler Mick Lewis was at the receiving end. He gave away 113 runs of his 10 overs without picking up a wicket.

The second on the list is Martin Snedden, a medium pacer from New Zealand who gave away 105 runs off his 12 overs, way back in 1983 against England at the Oval. The third name is, surprisingly, of Muttiah Muralitharan who conceded 99 runs in his 10 overs at an economy of 9.9 runs per over.

If you are an Indian, you will be interested in knowing who bowled the most expensive over for India in ODIs. The answer is Javagal Srinath. He gave away 87 runs in his 10 overs and his figures read 10-0-87-0. It was against South Africa in Johannesburg, in the 2002-03 one-day series.

The list below may bring a smile to your face, but for once, just place yourself in the bowlers shoes. How dreadful it has been for them to get a chance in the XI and then performing like this! Just spare a thought for them…..

Bowler (Country)	Ovs	Mdn	Runs	Wkts	Versus	Venue	Date
Mick Lewis (Aus)	10	0	113	0	South Africa	Jo’burg	12 Mar 2006
Martin Snedden (NZ)	12	1	105	2	England	The Oval	9 Jun 1983
Tim Southee (NZ)	10	0	105	0	India	C’church	8 Mar 2009
Muthiah Muralitharan (SL)	10	0	99	0	Australia	Sydney	12 Feb 2006
Asantha de Mel (SL)	10	0	97	1	West Indies	Karachi	13 Oct 1987
Steve Harmison (Eng)	10	0	97	0	Sri Lanka	Leeds	1 Jul 2006
Andi Blignaut (Zim)	10	0	96	2	New Zealand	Bulawayo	24 Aug 2005
Dwayne Leverock (Brmd)	10	0	96	1	India	Trinidad	19 Mar 2007
Peter Connell (Ire)	9	0	95	0	New Zealand	Aberdeen	1 Jul 2008
Wayne Parnell (SA)	10	0	95	2	India	Gwalior	24 Feb 2010
Shafiul Islam (Bdesh)	10	0	95	3	Pakistan	Dambulla	21 Jun 2010