Stats: Most economical bowling spells in ODIs

Phil Simmons, the current Ireland coach and former West Indian cricketer holds the record for the most economical spell in ODIs

The one-day international format has seen plenty of ‘containing’ spells that have contributed to some great victories. It is not easy to dry up the runs in the limited-overs format where the batsmen will always be on the look out for runs.

Phil Simmons of West Indies in an ODI against Pakistan in 1992, conceded just 3 runs for his full quota of 10 overs with 8 maidens. His figures read a staggering 10-8-3-4 at an economy of 0.30 that left Pakistan in a mess. In fact, no West Indian bowler in that match conceded more than 3.11 runs an over in the match as Pakistan were bowled out for 81 in 48 overs and lost by 133 runs in Sydney. The match was part of a triangular ODI series, which also involved hosts Australia. The current Ireland coach’s figures are extremely difficult to replicate.

The second best economy rate in an ODI (minimum 30 balls) was registered by England’s Dermot Reeve against Pakistan in the 1992 World Cup at Adelaide. Pakistan escaped loss when rain ended England’s effort that bundled out the Asian side for 74. Reeve recorded miserly figures of 5-3-2-1. Notably, Pakistan went on to win the World Cup defeating England in the finals at Melbourne.

Bishan Singh Bedi occupies the third place for his 12 over figures against East Africa in the 1975 World Cup. The left-arm spinner conceded just 6 runs from his spell with 8 maidens. Ireland’s Alex Cusack’s 5-2-3-0 at 0.60 is the only spell from the 21st century to make the top-10 list.

Most economical spells in ODIs (minimum 30 balls):

#	Player	O-M-R-W				Economy	Opposition	Venue	Year
1	Phil Simmons (WI)	10-8-3-4				0.30	Pakistan	Sydney	1992
2	Dermot Reeve (Eng)	5-3-2-1				0.40	Pakistan	Adelaide	1992
3	Bishan Singh Bedi (Ind)	12-8-6-1				0.50	East Africa	Leeds	1975
4	Sir Curtly Ambrose (WI)	10-5-5-1				0.50	Sri Lanka	Sharjah	1999
5	Wasim Akram (Pak)	7.2-4-4-2				0.54	India	Sharjah	1986
6	Kapil Dev (Ind)	7-4-4-0				0.57	West Indies	Port of Spain	1989
7	Sunil Joshi (Ind)	10-6-6-5				0.60	South Africa	Nairobi (Gym)	1999
8	Dennis Lillee (Aus)	5-2-3-1				0.60	India	Sydney	1981
9	Alex Cusack (Ire)	5-2-3-0				0.60	Scotland	Aberdeen	2009
10	Mike Hendrick (Eng)	8-4-5-1				0.62	Canada	Manchester	1979

?*Stats updated till 31 August, 2014.

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