Best bowling figures in an innings for NZ in ODIs – 7-fors for Trent Boult and Tim Southee
Much like South Africa, New Zealand are the nearly-team of white-ball cricket, having won just one ICC event.
They have been in several finals, but a victory in the final of the 2000 Champions Trophy remains their only major triumph. Over the years, there have been plenty of incredible performances from within the team.
Now, as the Black Caps look to get past South Africa and into the final of the Champions Trophy, let’s take a look at the best-ever ODI bowling figures returned by a New Zealand international.
7. Ish Sodhi – 6/39 vs Bangladesh, Mirpur, 2023
Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi produced a sensational spell against Bangladesh in Mirpur in 2023, taking 6/39 to dismantle the opposition. Sodhi’s variations and turn on a spin-friendly track left the Bangladeshi batters struggling.
His spell played a crucial role in New Zealand securing a dominant victory, highlighting the increasing impact of wrist spinners in modern-day white-ball cricket.
6. Trent Boult – 6/33 vs Australia, Hamilton, 2017
One of New Zealand’s greatest-ever fast bowlers, Trent Boult, tormented Australia in Hamilton in 2017. He ripped through the Australian middle and lower order with a searing display of swing bowling, finishing with 6/33.
His ability to move the ball both ways at pace made him unplayable on the day, as he claimed five of the last six Australian wickets to falls, helping the Black Caps claim a crucial 24 runs win over their trans-Tasman rivals.
5. Scott Styris – 6/25 vs West Indies, Port of Spain, 2002
As an all-rounder, Scott Styris was better known for his batting exploits, but in 2002, he turned in an incredible bowling display against the West Indies. His medium pace proved difficult to handle on a slow Port of Spain pitch, as he returned figures of 6/25.
The spell remains one of the best all-round performances by a New Zealand cricketer, as he also contributed with the bat in that match making an undefeated 63 to lead his side to a nine-run win. A quick look at the wickets Styris claimed that day will also put his performance into context – he removed Brian Lara, Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Carl Hooper, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Ryan Hinds.
Also read: Highest scores for India in ODIs – is there any topping Shubman Gill’s double-century?
4. Shane Bond – 6/23 vs Australia, Gqeberha, 2003
Shane Bond was one of the fastest bowlers of his generation, and he delivered a masterclass against Australia in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) during the 2003 Cricket World Cup.
His raw pace and aggressive bowling saw him dismantle the formidable Australian batting lineup, taking 6/23. At one stage Australia were 47 for four with Bond having ripped out Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist, Damien Martyn and Darren Lehmann. Although New Zealand ultimately lost the match, Bond’s performance remains one of the most memorable in World Cup history.
3. Shane Bond – 6/19 vs India, Bulawayo, 2005
Two years after his breathtaking performance against Australia, Shane Bond repeated his heroics against India in Bulawayo in 2005. He registered 6/19, using his express pace to trouble the Indian top order.
Bond’s ability to extract bounce and movement made him a lethal weapon, and this spell is widely regarded as one of the best by a Kiwi pacer against a top cricketing nation. Defending a modest total of just 215, Bond started by removing the five of the top six to have India in all sorts of trouble at 39 for six before coming back to claim the scalp of Irfan Pathan as India were dismissed for just 164.
2. Trent Boult – 7/34 vs West Indies, Christchurch, 2017
Trent Boult’s career-best figures of 7/34 against the West Indies in 2017 were a masterclass in fast bowling. Boult swung the ball prodigiously under the lights in Christchurch, running through the West Indian batting lineup.
His devastating spell ensured that New Zealand skittled their opponents for a low total, as their attempts to chase down the home side’s score came to nothing as they lost by 204 runs.
1. Tim Southee – 7/33 vs England, Wellington, 2015
The best-ever ODI bowling figures by a New Zealand bowler belong to recently retired Tim Southee, who delivered a historic spell of 7/33 against England in Wellington during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup. Southee’s swing bowling was lethal, as he decimated the English batting lineup, triggering a dramatic collapse.
His fiery spell helped New Zealand bowl England out for just 123, paving the way for a crushing eight-wicket victory. This performance remains one of the standout moments in New Zealand’s cricket history.
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