5 bowlers who defended less than 6 runs in the last over of an ODI
Kagiso Rabada bowled very well in the last over to help South Africa win the first ODIAs much skewed as the game may appear in the batsman’s favour, tight chases and last over results have often amounted to the best of matches and made unlikely heroes out of bowlers.The ever changing fielding restrictions and the advent of T20 might have made life difficult for them, but bowlers have had their share of last over heroics.Here’s a list of those who didn’t buckle under pressure: five bowlers who managed to defend less than six runs in the final over of an ODI.
#1 Chris Gayle, 5 runs
The ninth match of the NatWest Tri-series in 2000 was a warm up for England, who played Zimbabwe in the finals. Despite Alec Stewart’s unbeaten century, England faltered in the final part of the chase, losing three wickets in the final over. Stewart could only watch helplessly from the other end as the lower order crumbled to the pressure of the chase.
The last over panic was initiated by a run-out. Paul Franks (playing his only ODI) was caught short by a direct hit from Mahendra Nagamootoo at point. The innocuous off-spin of the then twenty-year-old Chris Gayle got the better of Darren Gough and Alan Mullally, leaving England short by three runs.