ODI World Cup is the biggest stage in the career of any cricketer. It takes a lot to reach the World Cup and perform. Some players can absorb that pressure and do well, while others get carried away and lose the plot. This article also includes some performances when a bowler had a complete bad day.
Here we will talk about the most expensive spells ever registered in ODI World Cup history. Australia’s Mick Lewis holds the unwanted record for the most expensive ODI spell with 113/0 against South Africa in 2006. But It was not a World Cup game. Here we will talk about the World Cup’s most expensive spells.
Most Expensive Bowling Spell in 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 |
5. Ashantha De Mel (97/1) vs West Indies in 1987
Former Sri Lankan pacer Ashantha De Mel holds the record for the fifth-most expensive spell of all time. It came against the West Indies in the 1987 World Cup in Karachi. Batting first, West Indies made a big total of 360/4 in 50 overs. Desmond Haynes made 105, and Viv Richards made 181 not out. Every Sri Lankan bowler got beaten, and Ashantha had 97/1 in 10 overs. Sri Lanka managed 169/4 in 50 overs and lost by 191 runs.
4. Dawlat Zadran (101/2) vs Australia in 2015
Australia holds the record for the highest World Cup total with 417/6, which came against Afghanistan in the 2015 World Cup in Perth. David Warner made 178 off 133, while Steve Smith (95) and Glenn Maxwell (88 off 39) also made contributions. The Australians thrashed every Afghan bowler. Dawlat Zadran was the most expensive of all. He gave away 101/2 in 10 overs, including one maiden. In response, Afghanistan made 142 runs and lost by a record 275 runs.
3. Jason Holder (104/1) vs South Africa in 2015
No one forgets the carnage AB de Villiers caused when he smashed the fastest 150 in ODIs during the 2015 World Cup against West Indies in Sydney. De Villiers made 162 off just 66 balls, with 17 fours and 8 sixes. South Africa made the second biggest World Cup total with 408/5. In that game, Jason Holder registered the third-most expensive spell. He bowled two maidens and conceded 104/1. West Indies were all out for 151 and lost the game by 257 runs.
2. Martin Snedden (105/2) vs England in 1983
Martin Snedden was the first bowler to concede over 100 runs in an ODI spell. He had it during the 1983 World Cup against England in London. An ODI game had 60 overs in those days. In his 12-over spell, Snedden picked 2/105, and England made 322/6 in 60 overs. In reply, New Zealand were bowled out for 216 runs and lost by 106 runs.
1. Rashid Khan (110/0) vs England in 2019
Rashid Khan is one of the best white-ball bowlers in the world right now. But he has also seen many ups and downs. In fact, the unwanted record for the most expensive World Cup spell belongs to him. He had it in a game against England during the 2019 World Cup at Old Trafford. England made 397/6, and skipper Eoin Morgan scored 148 off 71 balls and smacked 17 sixes (the record most). Rashid bowled just nine overs and gave away 110 runs without taking a wicket. Afghanistan made 247/8 and lost by 150 runs.