AUS vs ZIM 2022: Ryan Burl breaks records with historic match-winning spell

Zimbabwe players celebrate Australian wicket

Zimbabwe middle-order batter Ryan Burl spun his way to a historic win for his side against Australia. The cricketer picked the key wickets of David Warner and Glenn Maxwell before mopping up the Australian tail in the third ODI at Townsville.

Notably, Burl did it all in a space of three overs after his skipper Regis Chakabva had won the toss and invited the hosts to bat first. The 28-year-old also scored 11 crucial runs in the second innings, as Zimbabwe scripted a historic three-wicket win to mark their first-ever victory in any format against Australia in Australia.

Zimbabwe register historic win

Ryan Burl becomes second quickest to take an ODI five-fer

In terms of number of bowls delivered in an innings, Burl became the second quickest bowler to claim a five-wicket haul in men’s ODIs since 2001. He achieved the feat in just 18 balls against Australia in Zimbabwe’s final ODI of the three-match series in Townsville.

He bettered Netherlands’ Timm van der Gugten record of a five-fer in 20 balls he had taken in 2013 against Canada. Sri Lankan pace legend Chaminda Vaas continues to top the elite chart for his 16-ball effort at the 2003 World Cup against Bangladesh.

Burl also became the first-ever Zimbabwe bowler to collect a five-wicket haul in any format against Australia.

Moreover, his match-winning spell of 5-10 now stands as the second best ODI bowling figure by a spinner in Australia. He dethroned former India all-rounder Ravi Shastri’s 5-15 to claim the second spot. India’s contemporary enigma machine Yuzvendra Chahal holds the best figures ‘Down Under’ for his 6-42 in 2019.

Ryan Burl leads team off the field after five-fer

Also Read: Burl and Chakabva star as Zimbabwe conclude the tour with a historic win