Decoding ODIs that saw England bowl most overs of spin
Australia tamed England in the opening ODI at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. They (317/3) comfortably accomplished the 316-run target thanks to Travis Head's 154*. Out of the 44 overs bowled by England, 28 were of spin. For the first time, the Brits bowled these many overs of spin in a home ODI. Here we look at ODIs that saw England bowl most overs of spin.
36 overs vs Pakistan, Sharjah, 1985
As per Cricbuzz, England spinners operated for 36 overs in the 1985 Sharjah ODI against Pakistan. It was a low-scoring affair on a dry track as Pakistan managed 175/7 batting first. Left-arm spinner Norman Gifford (4/23) was the pick of the England bowlers. Philippe-Henri Edmonds, another left-arm spinner, also dismissed one batter. However, the Brits were folded for just 132 in response.
28.4 overs vs Australia, Sydney, 2018
England successfully defended 303 in the 2018 Sydney ODI against hosts Australia. The visitors bowled 28.4 overs of spin that day as Adil Rashid claimed 2/51 in his 10 overs. Off-spinners Moeen Ali and Joe Root bowled 18.4 wicket-less overs combined. Meanwhile, the Aussies were restricted to 286/6 in the contest.
28 overs vs West Indies, Sydney, 1979
England narrowly defended the revised 199-run target in the 1979 Sydney match against West Indies. Left-arm spinner Derek Underwood was on a roll that day as he claimed 4/44 in his 10 overs. Off-spinner Geoffrey Miller also dismissed one batter in his 10-over spell. Peter Willey, another off-spinner, bowled eight wicket-less overs that day.
28 overs vs AUS, Nottingham, 2024
England bowled seven bowlers in the recent Nottingham ODI against Australia, out of which four with spinners. However, none of these were very effective as Will Jacks and Adil Rashid failed to strike, bowling six and 10 overs, respectively. Liam Livingstone (1/75 in 9 overs) and Jacob Bethell (1/20 in 3 overs) were too expensive as Australia crossed the line in just 44 overs.
