Wisden readers pick out the best bowling performances in a losing cause
Yesterday, we asked our followers on our social media channels what, for them, were the most memorable spells they’ve seen in losing causes.
Shane Warne for the entire 2005 ashes surely? bloke got 40 wickets at an average of about 18
— matthew 🔴⚪️ (@matthewftm) May 23, 2020
A number of the replies mentioned Shane Warne’s remarkable succession of performances during the 2005 Ashes series, where he took 40 wickets – 16 more than any other player on either side – in five Tests as England won the series 2-1.
Lasith Malinga’s four out of four against South Africa in 2007 World Cup… Boy the Proteas didn’t have any clue what was waiting for them…
— Sabyasachi Chowdhury (@sabya0912) May 23, 2020
World Cup performances featured prominently in fans’ replies. Lasith Malinga’s four wickets in four balls burst nearly caused one of the all time great World Cup comebacks in 2007. With South Africa cruising at 206-5 needing four to win off 32 balls, Malinga took wickets with four consecutive deliveries to nearly win the game for his team. Unfortunately for Malinga, South Africa eventually edged home to a one-wicket win.
That spell in that picture was unbelievable!! Riaz was bowling serious gas and watson was all over the place, a great battle!!
— Adam Collin (@AdCollin) May 23, 2020
Wahab Riaz’s spell against Australia during the 2015 tournament also earned plenty of plaudits. With Pakistan defending 213 in the quarter-final, Wahab delivered a ferocious spell of fast, short-pitched bowling, mainly to Shane Watson. Watson managed to escape the battle with his wicket still in tact, though, after Rahat Ali dropped a simple chance at fine-leg.
I’d wholeheartedly agree with Warne’s 2005 Ashes, but just to throw a different one in the mix also coming from the 2015 World Cup: Mitchell Starc’s 6-fer in the Eden Park epic against New Zealand during the group stages. Almost bowled Australia to an extraordinary victory!
— Bjan Mara (@psxfreak101) May 23, 2020
Also from the 2015 World Cup, Mitchell Starc’s devastating 6-28 to help Australia come within inches of defending 151 against New Zealand was mentioned on numerous occasions, as was Shane Bond’s six-wicket haul in the same fixture 12 years previously.
