Top 5 instances when part-time bowlers destroyed opposition batting

May 7, 2016 at 5:27 PM

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Top 5 instances when part-time bowlers destroyed opposition batting

Part-time bowlers often don’t get the recognition which they deserve. Captain decides to hand him the ball when he wants to rest his main weapons or just wants to wind away a few overs without leaking too many runs. However, more than once, part-timers had a huge impact with the ball and completely changed the course of the game.

Here is a list of Top 5 instances when part-time bowlers completely destroyed opposition batting.

Andrew Symonds – 5/18 against Bangladesh 

Andrew Symonds – 5/18 against Bangladesh
Andrew Symonds – 5/18 against Bangladesh

Australia were up against Bangladesh during the NatWest series in 2005 at Old Trafford. Australians were the most dominating team that time and Bangladesh were trying to come to terms with international cricket. But Bangladesh surprisingly enjoyed a superb start as Ashraful hit his consecutive 3rd half-century in the series and was supported by Nafees at the other end. Even McGrath failed to take a single wicket while Brett Lee had managed only 2. However, it was Symonds’ day as he proved to be a potent force with the ball while he changed the course of the game single-handedly with a 5-wicket haul. He was called up in the 22nd over, with Ashraful and Nafees in control at 101/2, and his off spin soon yorked Nafees. Symonds took Bashar next ball through a fine edge and Bangladesh were suddenly in big trouble at 113/4 and they duly collapsed. Symonds finished with figures of 5/18 and Australia won the match by 10 wickets.

Sourav Ganguly – 5/16 against Pakistan

Sourav Ganguly – 5/16 against Pakistan
Sourav Ganguly – 5/16 against Pakistan

The Sahara Cup used to be a friendship series played between arch rivals India and Pakistan for three years. It was during the second edition where Sourav Ganguly’s all-round performances stood out and guided India to win the series 4-1.

India and Pakistan met each other in The Sahara Cup on September 18, 1997. Sachin Tendulkar was captaining the Indian side during the series and they managed to score only 182 runs batting first. Pakistan began to chase quite aggressively. Ganguly came in the 19th over when Pakistan was smoothly moving towards victory and with his golden arm ‘Dada’ completely turned the course of the game. The Prince of Calcutta finished his spell with mind-blowing figures of 10-3-16-5 and was also awarded the Man of the Match.

Marcus North – 6/55 against Pakistan

Marcus North – 6/55 against Pakistan
Marcus North – 6/55 against Pakistan

When Pakistan and Australia met each other in 2010, no one considered this young man’s bowling will cause a flutter. The match was actually being played at the neutral venue of Lords. On the fourth Day of that Test, the then Australian captain Ponting handed the ball to North ahead of Steven Smith. With 2 left-handers at the crease, the Aussies wanted the ball to turn away from them, but with his very first delivery North drifted the ball down leg side and had Salman Butt stumped thanks to an excellent piece of wicketkeeping from Paine behind the stumps and from then on, there was no stopping as he won the Test match for Australia. This still remains the best bowling by an Aussie spinner in a Test innings at Lord’s.

Kraigg Brathwaite – 6/29 against Sri Lanka

Kraigg Brathwaite – 6/29 against Sri Lanka
Kraigg Brathwaite – 6/29 against Sri Lanka

It’s Brathwaite who holds a unique record of best Test bowling figure by an opening batsman. He achieved his career’s best Test bowling figures on the third day of the 2nd Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo last year. Interestingly Brathwaite had just one Test wicket and 3 first-class wickets to his name before this match, but he captured 6/29 with his part-time off-spin and Sri Lanka was bowled out on 206, setting West Indies 244 to win.

Michael Clarke – 6/9 against India

Michael Clarke – 6/9 against India
Michael Clarke – 6/9 against India

In what’s still regarded as one of the most thrilling Test encounters in the recent past, Michael Clarke took an outstanding 6/9 against India in 2004. During the fourth Test of the series in Mumbai, Clarke’s orthodox spin looked to work wonders against one of the best batting line-up of India. Unfortunately, Australia’s star batting line-up capitulated in the 2nd innings for just 93 because of some wonderful bowling from Harbhajan and Kartik. India eventually pulled off a 13-run win and Clarke’s heroic bowling went in vain. However, his unbelievable spell still remains a treat for cricket lovers and deserves the top place on this list.

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