5 part-time bowlers who ended a big innings in ODIs
After being on top of his game for the most part of the innings, one thing that’d make a high-scorer cringe is giving away his wicket to a non-regular bowler. A lapse in concentration, encountering a new style of bowling, or the general attacking instinct to dominate a part-timer on the part of the batsman, all help such bowlers fill their wicket columns. The statement holds true even more in limited overs, when a batsman hardly has time to get accustomed to a new bowler.
Here are five non-regulars (in no particular order) who gleefully hold the credit of catching big fishes with their uncustomary yet effective bowling:
Vikram Solanki
Victim: Sanath Jayasuriya (152)
A handy middle order batsman, the Udaipur born Solanki was part of the English limited overs side for around half a hundred ODIs, but couldn’t bring in consistency in his international game.
Sanath Jayasuriya, undergoing a spirited second life in his international career, was going great guns against England at Leeds in 2006. Opening the innings in pursuit of 323, Jayasuriya bludgeoned his way past a quickfire 100, when Strauss decided to test out Solanki’s off spin.
It paid dividends, as Solanki accounted for Jayasuriya after the latter had gone past 150. It turned out to be Solanki’s first, and only wicket in international cricket.