Prior to the World Cup, there was a lot of talk about how this was going to be a ‘batsmen’s World Cup’, with a lot of anticipation about a team breaching the 500 run mark. However, the bowlers have kept the runs in check and have contributed immensely for wins. In this article, quality of opponent and impact of the spell in the outcome of the match have been considered. Here are the top 5 spells of this edition till match 30:-
Read More — Top 5 Best Batting Performances in ICC Worldcup 2019
- Oshane Thomas (4/27 in 5.4 overs) vs Pakistan
Image source- CricTracker.com
Before the World Cup, there was a lot of talk about how the West Indies have a dangerous batting line-up but a poor bowling line-up. This was proven to be wrong as in the warm-up games, the Windies bowlers bowled with pace and ferocity. Their short balls caused havoc among the batsmen. Soon, their bowling attack was being compared to the fearsome quartet of the 70s.
Spearheading this pace battery was Oshane Thomas, who has a reputation for bowling fast and surprising the batsmen with bounce and movement. In the very second game of the World Cup against Pakistan, Thomas was unleashed and he did not disappoint.
His first wicket was that of Babar Azam, getting one to shape away. Azam threw his hands at it but it was spectacularly pouched by ‘keeper Hope. He then accounted for the tail, nabbing Shadab LBW with an full delivery, Mohammad Hafeez with a well-directed short ball and Wahab Riaz with a pin-point yorker, packing Pakistan up for 105.
- Yuzvendra Chahal (4/51 in 10 overs) vs South Africa-
Image source — NDTV Sports
Since the 2017 Champions Trophy, India’s decision of replacing finger spinners Ashwin and Jadeja with wrist-spinners Chahal and Kuldeep has worked wonders. As a pair, they have choked the flow of runs and got wickets in the middle overs. In India’s first World Cup game of this edition against South Africa, Chahal was the chief wicket-taker. His first scalp was Van Der Dussen, who played the reverse sweep early and Chahal’s flight ensured that the ball dipped and crashed into the stumps. In the same over, a googly span through a well-set Du Plessis’s defence and disturbed the woodwork. A caught and bowled off Miller, ending a fighting partnership was followed up by a tossed up delivery at which Phehlukwayo charged down the pitch, only to be deceived by the turn and handed Dhoni an easy stumping.
- Mitchell Starc (5/46 in 10 overs) vs West Indies-
Image Source — Firstpost
Mitchell Starc finally struck form against the Windies. Defending 288, he got the huge wicket of Gayle with an inswinging yorker. He came back in the middle overs and got the dangerous Andre Russell, who was running away with the match, with a short ball. At the death, he got rid of Carlos Brathwaite with a slower ball and Jason Holder with a fiery bouncer. He secured his five wicket haul with a searing yorker to Sheldon Cottrell, winning the game for Australia.
- Mohammad Amir (5/30 in 10 overs) vs Australia-
Image source — Scroll.in
Mohammad Amir was a controversial pick for the World Cup. Having recovered from a recent injury, he had opted out of first class cricket and had virtually no preparation. But he was the only bright spark in an otherwise sorry bowling display against Australia. He got wickets at key intervals and stifled Australia’s attempt of getting a big score. He broke a 146-run opening partnership with an off-cutter, which Finch top-edged to Hafeez. He was recalled at the death and he responded with the wickets of Usman Khawaja and Shaun Marsh, both caught and cleaned up the tail with two yorkers in a quality display of death bowling.
- Lasith Malinga (4/43 in 10 overs) vs England-
- Image source — Fox Sports
Read More — Malinga Leads The Fightback As Sri Lanka Stun England
England’s batting order is frightening. If one does not get you, the other will. Chasing 230, England were looking at a walk in the park but the veteran Malinga had other ideas. On a skiddy Headingly pitch, he trapped Bairstow LBW for a golden duck and found James Vince’s outside edge in the powerplay. He bowled full and made the batsmen make mistakes. In the middle overs, he made Root edge a glance to the keeper and got Buttler LBW with a yorker. These wickets piled the pressure on the lower order who could not keep their composure, resulting in an upset win for Sri Lanka.
Read More — New Zealand Come Out On Top In A Thriller Against The Windies At Manchester
Read More — The Heavyweight Clash England vs Australia Preview
Other notable mentions:-
James Neesham (5/31 in 10 overs) vs Afghanistan
Imran Tahir (4/29 in 7 overs) vs Afghanistan
Mark Wood (3/18 in 6.4 overs) vs West Indies
Mohammad Shami (4/40 in 9.5 overs) vs Afghanistan
Trent Boult (4/30 in 10 overs) vs West Indies
Shakib Al Hasan (5/29 in 10 overs) vs Afghanistan
Originally published at Sporcial.
