Cricviz’s Freddie Wilde, who picked Wisden’s T20 spells of the 2000s, lists out the bowling performances that just missed the cut.
Jon Lewis: 4 for 24 for England v Australia, 2005
In only the second T20 international England thrashed Australia in Southampton thanks to a stunning display of new ball bowling. Darren Gough took the first two wickets before Lewis’ canny medium pace prised out Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Ricky Ponting and Damien Martyn. Wicket-keeper Geraint Jones stood up to the stumps, such was Lewis’ lack of pace, but lateral movement and accuracy did the job.
Mohammad Asif: 4 for 18 for Pakistan v India, 2007
Another Pakistani candidate that could have made a list dominated by them. Asif was a master of new ball movement and control and here he expertly cut through India’s top order, removing Gambhir, Sehwag, Yuvraj and Karthik in an uninterrupted four over spell.
Elton Chigumbura: 5 for 15 for Zimbabwe v Titans, 2008
This is the most impactful bowling performance of the decade by CricViz‘s metric, worth +59 runs. Zimbabwe’s right-arm medium pacer Elton Chibumbura took the first five wickets to fall, reducing the Titans to 10 for 5.
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Dirk Nannes: 4 for 13 for Victoria v New South Wales, 2009
New South Wales were one of the strongest teams of the early T20 era but the left-arm quick Dirk Nannes gave them an almighty scare in this thrilling Big Bash match. Nannes’ left-arm thunderbolts removed Moises Henriques, Steve Smith and Ben Rohrer in the Powerplay before snaring a fourth later. However, NSW managed to defend 128 and progress to the Big Bash final and the Champions League – both of which they won.
Anil Kumble: 5 for 5 for Royal Challengers Bangalore v Rajasthan Royals, 2009
Rajasthan were already in disarray at 28 for 5 when Anil Kumble was introduced into the attack. His five wickets for just five runs cleaned up the tail in dramatic style, bowling the defending champions out for 58.
