Top 5 ODI bowling performances of 2021

#3 Tabraiz Shamsi (5/49) vs Sri Lanka - (2nd ODI, Colombo)

Tabraiz Shamsi registered his career-best ODI figures against Sri Lanka. Pic: Getty Images

South African left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi claimed 5 for 49 in Proteas’ 67-run victory over the Lankans in the second ODI of the three-match series in Colombo in September. Batting first after winning the toss, the visitors put up 283 for 6 in 47 overs in a rain-shortened encounter. Opener Janneman Malan led the way with a fluent 121.

In response, Sri Lanka were set to chase 265 in 41 overs. Shamsi did not allow the hosts to get anywhere close, running through the middle and lower order. After Kagiso Rabada and Wiaan Mulder combined to reduce Lanka to 19 for 3, Shamsi ensured there was no fightback in store. He began by having Dhananjaya de Silva (12) caught down the leg side.

The left-arm spinner then broke a resolute stand between Dasun Shanaka (30) and Charith Asalanka (77), having the former caught at deep backward square off a short ball. Shami also ended Asalanka’s brilliant innings as the batter slog-swept a looped-up delivery to deep midwicket.

Next, Shamsi outfoxed Chameera (11) and cleaned him up. He completed a five-fer and also bowled South Africa to victory as Akila Dananjaya (3) hit an over-pitched delivery to long off.

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#2 Sam Curran (5/48) vs Sri Lanka - (2nd ODI, The Oval)

Sam Curran celebrates after he gets five wickets in an ODI against Sri Lanka. Pic: Getty Images

England all-rounder Sam Curran claimed 5 for 48 as the hosts defeated Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the second ODI of the three-match series at The Oval in July. England bowled first after winning the toss and Curran ran through the top order, reducing them to 12 for 3 inside four overs.

The left-arm seamer trapped Kusal Perera for a two-ball duck and added the scalp of Avishka Fernando (0) in similar fashion. Curran then cleaned up Pathum Nissanka (5) with a brilliant inswinger. Curran returned to end Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva’s (26) resistance with a short ball.

He completed his maiden five-for by having Chamika Karunaratne caught behind for 21. David Willey claimed the other four wickets as England reduced Sri Lanka to 241 for 9.

The hosts chased down the target without any trouble as Jason Roy (60), Joe Root (68*) and skipper Eoin Morgan (75*) struck impressive half-centuries.

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#1 Mitchell Starc (5/48) vs West Indies - (1st ODI, Bridgetown)

Mitchell Starc celebrates a wicket with teammates. Pic: Getty Images

Left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc was the star performer as the Aussies thumped West Indies by 133 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis method in the first ODI of the three-match series in Bridgetown in July. Hayden Walsh’s 5 for 39 restricted Australia to 252 for 9 after they won the toss and batted first. Starc, however, nullified Walsh’s effort with a five-fer of his own.

Starc sent back Evin Lewis on the first ball with a return catch off a leading edge before cleaning up Jason Mohammed (2) with an inswinger. Nicholas Pooran (0) was Starc’s third victim, trapped in front as he missed his flick. The left-arm seamer also ended West Indies skipper Kieron Pollard’s resistance for 56. Starc squared up Pollard with a good length delivery and had him caught at slip.

The Aussie completed his five-fer with a low full toss that trapped Akeal Hosein (0) in front of the stumps. Josh Hazlewood also shone with 3 for 11 as Australia bundled out West Indies for 123 in 26.2 overs.