A panel of Wisden.com writers look back at the year gone by and pick the best ODI spells of 2022.

ODIs took a back seat in 2022 as all eyes were fixed on the T20 format and the World Cup in Australia. Nevertheless there were some important series and results for the World Cup Super League, with the World Cup set to be hosted by India at the end of next year. India, New Zealand, England, Australia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan have already qualified for the tournament with some outstanding results this year, while South Africa are down at 11th in the table after a difficult year in the format.

As the years draws to a close, we look back at the standout ODI bowling performances from the last 12 months.

2022 in Review: Wisden’s men’s ODI spells of 2022 – Nos.5-2

No.5: Adam Zampa

9-0-35-5 v New Zealand

Cairns
September 2022 

In a match which bordered on farcical at points, Australia bowled New Zealand out for 82 with Adam Zampa cleaning up their lower order to claim his maiden ODI five-wicket haul. In a chase of only 196, New Zealand lost wickets early after Sean Abbott struck twice in his first over. But it was Zampa who claimed the all-important wicket of Kane Williamson, getting some good fortune as the New Zealand captain missed a knee-high full toss which was shown to be crashing into the base of leg-stump. With an end open, Zampa capitalised on the pressure the New Zealand batters were under in a low-scoring chase, trapping Daryl Mitchell LBW in his next over to reduce the score to 38-5. A googly did for Tim Southee before Matt Henry and Trent Boult completed the five, and Australia claimed a remarkable 115-run victory. Breathless cricket.

No.4: Ryan Burl

3-0-10-5 v Australia

Townsville 
September 2022

On a historic day in Townsville where Zimbabwe claimed their first-ever victory over Australia in Australia, Ryan Burl set up the win with a superb 5-10 from three overs. After Zimbabwe’s seamers had made early inroads, David Warner looked ominous as he piled on runs at the top of the order. Wickets fell at a fairly steady rate around him as Australia slipped to 72-5, but with Glenn Maxwell at the crease, he and Warner set about building a solid partnership. It was only when Burl was introduced in the 27th over that the innings completely fell apart for Australia. Maxwell popped a simple catch-up back to the bowler off a leading edge before Ashton Agar hit a full toss from Burl straight to mid-wicket two balls later. The big wicket of Warner for 94 followed with Brad Evans juggling a catch in the deep, taking it one-handed on a rebound. Starc and Hazlewood made it three wickets in the over for Burl and completed a remarkable collapse from 129-5 to 141 all-out, Burl taking all of the final five wickets.

No.3: Taskin Ahmed

9-0-35-5 v South Africa

Centurion
March 2022

In another historic match, Bangladesh sealed their first-ever ODI series win over South Africa thanks to a second ODI five-for from Taskin Ahmed, his first in eight years. After Mehidy Hasan Miraz removed Quinton de Kock, Taskin dismissed Kyle Verreynne and Janneman Malan in consecutive overs, Verreynne dragging the ball onto his stumps and Malan nicking off behind, to reduce South Africa to 69-3. David Miller and Dwaine Pretorius got starts before they both got fine touches on deliveries from Taskin that were taken easily by Mushfiqur Rahim behind the stumps. Kagiso Rabada was Taskin’s final victim, getting a thin edge on a delivery sliding across him, South Africa having gone from 66-1 when Taskin took his first wicket, to 126-8 when he took his final. South Africa were bowled out for 154, their lowest total against Bangladesh and Tamim Iqbal’s 87* ensured Bangladesh won by their highest-ever overseas margin in terms of balls – 141.

N0.2: Reece Topley

9.5-2-24-6 v India

Lord’s
July 2022

After England were bowled out by India for what looked like a below-par total of 246, Reece Topley claimed the best figures for any ODI bowler at Lord’s and the first five-for from any England bowler at the ground in 25 years. Unable to deal with Topley’s change in pace and awkward length, Rohit Sharma was the first to go for an ugly ten-ball duck. Operating in tandem with David Willey, the two left armers used the slope on the Lord’s pitch brilliantly, and India were unable to get a run off the bat until halfway through the fifth over of the powerplay. Shikhar Dhawan was Topley’s next victim, gloving the ball down the leg side before Willey and Brydon Carse dismissed Rishabh Pant and Virat Kohli respectively, leaving India 31-4. Suryakumar Yadav chopped onto his stumps as soon as Topley came back into the attack, with Mohammad Shami and Yuzvendra Chahal giving him a maiden ODI five-for. Prasidh Krishna’s wicket completed remarkable figures of 6-24 for Topley, giving England an unlikely 100-run victory.