Most Expensive Spell in ODI World Cup History:
The ODI World Cup stands as the most significant platform in a cricketer’s journey. Reaching and excelling in the World Cup demands immense effort. A few players manage to handle the pressure and succeed, while some struggle and falter. This piece also covers instances of bowlers having exceptionally tough days on the field.
In 2006, Mick Lewis of Australia faced a difficult situation as he conceded 113 runs without taking any wickets against South Africa. However, it’s important to note that this match was not a part of the World Cup. Let’s delve into the most expensive spell in the World Cup.
Rashid Khan vs England in World Cup 2019 – (110/0)
Currently, Rashid Khan stands as one of the finest bowlers in white-ball cricket across the globe. However, he’s faced both high and low moments in his career. One particular instance stands out – during the 2019 World Cup at Old Trafford, Rashid Khan found himself holding an unwanted record. In a match against England, England’s team managed to score 397/6.
Their captain, Eoin Morgan, delivered an outstanding performance by scoring 148 runs from 71 balls, hitting a record-breaking 17 sixes. Unfortunately for Rashid Khan, he had a challenging game, bowling nine overs and conceding 110 runs without securing a wicket. As a result, Afghanistan’s final score was 247/8, leading to a defeat by a margin of 150 runs.
Martin Snedden vs England in 1983 Cricket World Cup – (105/2)
Back in the 1983 World Cup in London, Martin Snedden marked a unique record as the initial bowler to concede more than 100 runs in a single ODI inning. During that time, a One Day International match consisted of 60 overs.
Specifically, in the match against England, Snedden’s spell lasted for 12 overs, resulting in him taking 2 wickets while conceding 105 runs. England managed to score a total of 322/6 within the 60 overs. In response, New Zealand’s batting performance fell short, as they were dismissed for 216 runs, leading to a defeat with a significant margin of 106 runs.
Jason Holder vs South Africa in World Cup 2015 – (104/1)
AB de Villiers remains vivid, as he unleashed a striking performance by achieving the quickest 150 runs in One Day Internationals during the 2015 World Cup clash against West Indies in Sydney. De Villiers managed to accumulate an impressive 162 runs from just 66 balls, including 17 fours and 8 sixes. This remarkable effort contributed to South Africa achieving the second-highest total in World Cup history, reaching 408/5.
During this memorable match, Jason Holder also etched his name, but for a different reason. His bowling performance turned out to be one of the most expensive spells, with him delivering two maiden overs yet conceding a total of 104 runs for just one wicket. The West Indies team faced a challenge, being dismissed for 151 runs, ultimately leading to a substantial 257-run loss in the game.
Dawlat Zadran vs Australia in World Cup 2015 – (101/2)
In the 2015 World Cup held in Perth, Australia etched their name in history by achieving the highest World Cup total of 417/6 in a match against Afghanistan. David Warner was the standout performer, amassing an impressive 178 runs from 133 balls. Steve Smith (95) and Glenn Maxwell (88 off 39) also made substantial contributions to the team’s score. The Afghan bowlers were left struggling in the face of Australia’s dominant display.
Among the Afghan bowlers, Dawlat Zadran faced the toughest challenge. His performance turned out to be the most costly, conceding 101 runs for two wickets in a span of 10 overs, including one maiden over. In response to Australia’s formidable total, Afghanistan managed to score 142 runs, resulting in a significant defeat by a record-breaking margin of 275 runs.
Ashantha De Mel vs West Indies in 1987 Cricket World Cup – (97/1)
Ashantha De Mel, a former Sri Lankan fast bowler, secured his place in history by registering the fifth-costliest bowling performance ever. This occurrence took place during the 1987 World Cup match against the West Indies in Karachi. In the first innings, the West Indies displayed a powerful batting performance, accumulating a substantial total of 360/4 within 50 overs. Desmond Haynes contributed with a century, scoring 105 runs, while Viv Richards stood undefeated at 181 runs.
Despite their efforts, every Sri Lankan bowler faced a challenging time on the field. Ashantha De Mel, in particular, had a demanding spell, conceding 97 runs for a single wicket in his 10-over stint. Sri Lanka, batting in response, managed to score 169/4 over the course of 50 overs. Unfortunately, this effort fell short, resulting in a substantial defeat by a margin of 191 runs against the West Indies.
Most Expensive Spells In ODI World Cup
Here is the list of players with the Most Expensive Bowling Spell in the Cricket World Cup.
| Bowler | Spell | Over | Maiden | Vs | Venue | Date |
| Rashid Khan (AFG) | 110/0 | 9 | 0 | England | Old Trafford | 18/06/2019 |
| Martin Snedden (NZ) | 105/2 | 12 | 1 | England | Kennington Oval | 09/06/1983 |
| Jason Holder (WI) | 104/1 | 10 | 2 | South Africa | Sydney Ground | 27/02/2015 |
| Dawlat Zadran (AFG) | 101/2 | 10 | 1 | Australia | WACA Ground | 04/03/2015 |
| Ashantha De Mel (SL) | 97/1 | 10 | 0 | West Indies | Karachi Stadium | 13/10/1987 |
| Dwayne Leverock (BER) | 96/1 | 10 | 0 | India | Queen’s Park Oval | 19/03/2007 |
| Andre Russell (WI) | 96/2 | 10 | 0 | New Zealand | Sky Stadium | 21/03/2015 |
| Kevin O’Brien (IRE) | 95/1 | 7 | 0 | South Africa | Manuka Oval | 03/03/2015 |
| Rudolph van Vuuren (NAM) | 92/0 | 10 | 0 | Australia | Senwes Park | 27/02/2003 |
| James Anderson (ENG) | 91/1 | 9.5 | 0 | India | M Chinnaswamy | 27/02/2011 |
Who bowled the most expensive spell in the ODI World Cup history?
Rashid Khan delivers the Most Expensive Bowling Spell in ODI World Cup 2019 vs England.
