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Most Wickets By Australian Spinners In A Single ODI

Adam Zampa has been Australia's leading white-ball spinner in recent years (X)Adam Zampa has been Australia's leading white-ball spinner in recent years (X)

Aussies have generally been a pace powerhouse, known for producing fast bowlers who terrorize batters with sheer speed and aggression. However, each generation has seen a spin stalwart emerge from the shadows, proving that Australia's bowling dominance isn't just about raw pace.

These spinners have quietly woven magic on the field, using flight, turn, and accuracy to leave batters bamboozled. From the legendary Shane Warne to the modern-day maestro Adam Zampa, Australia’s spin attack has consistently played a big role in ODI cricket, taking key wickets when the chips are down.

Let’s take a look at the ODI matches where Australian spinners took the most wickets:

4. 7 vs West Indies, Guyana, 2016

In the second match of the West Indies Tri-Nation Series on June 5, 2016, Australia comfortably defeated the West Indies by 6 wickets. Thanks largely to their spinners, who dominated the West Indian batting lineup.

After being put into bat, the West Indies crumbled to 116 all out in just 32.3 overs, with Australia’s spinners taking 7 of the 10 wickets. Nathan Lyon was the standout, earning Player of the Match honours for his brilliant spell of 3/39. His wickets included key players like Marlon Samuels and Kieron Pollard. Adam Zampa further tightened the screws with his 3/16, while Glenn Maxwell chipped in with 1/3 in his 2 overs.

Australia chased the target of 117 with ease, reaching 117/4 in 25.4 overs. David Warner led the charge with an unbeaten 55 off 55 balls. Although Sunil Narine tried to fight back for the West Indies with his 2/36, including the wickets of Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell, it wasn't enough to prevent a convincing Australian win with 146 balls to spare.

3. 7 vs England, Adelaide, 2010-11

In the 4th ODI between Australia and England at Adelaide on January 26, 2011, England posted a challenging 299/8, but it was Australia's spinners who shone, claiming 7 of the 8 wickets to fall. England’s innings was anchored by Jonathan Trott’s composed 102 off 126 balls, while Matt Prior added a brisk 67.

However, Australia’s spin trio led a brilliant fightback. David Hussey was the standout, wreaking havoc with his off-spin, taking 4/21 in just 4 overs, including the key wickets of Trott, Eoin Morgan, and Paul Collingwood. Steven Smith also played a crucial role, picking up 3/33, including Prior and Kevin Pietersen, to stall England’s momentum.

Despite Hussey and Smith's efforts, England’s lower-order managed to push the total to 299. In reply, Australia got off to a solid start with Shane Watson’s 64, but the spin magic couldn’t be replicated with the bat. Jonathan Trott’s all-round performance (2/31) and James Anderson's 2/57 saw Australia fall short at 278/7, with the spinners’ earlier heroics not enough to clinch the win.

2. 8 vs Pakistan, Lahore, 2021-22

Australia [X]Australia [X]

In the first ODI of Australia’s tour of Pakistan on March 29, 2022, spinners played a crucial role as Australia secured an 88-run victory in Lahore. After setting a competitive target of 314, thanks to Travis Head’s blistering 101 off 72 balls, the Aussies turned to their spinners to dismantle Pakistan's chase.

Imam-ul-Haq's valiant 103 and Babar Azam's 57 initially kept Pakistan in the hunt, but once the spin duo of Adam Zampa and Mitchell Swepson took charge, the wheels came off. Adam Zampa was exceptional, picking up 4/38, while Swepson chipped in with 2/53. Travis Head, continuing his all-round performance, also claimed 2/35 with his off-spin.

In total, Australia’s spinners accounted for 8 of the 10 wickets, turning the tide decisively in their favour as Pakistan collapsed from 204/6 to 225 all out. The Aussie spinners spun a web around the Pakistani batters, sealing a comfortable victory and showcasing their dominance on a turning track.

1. 9 vs England, Nottingham, 2024

Australia 9 wickets by spinners vs England (X)Australia 9 wickets by spinners vs England (X)

In the first ODI between England and Australia at Nottingham on September 19, 2024, England were bundled out for 315 in 49.4 overs, despite being in the driver’s seat earlier. Harry Brook’s decision to bat first on a belter seemed spot on as openers got England off to a solid start.

After Phil Salt was castled for 17 by debutant Ben Dwarshuis, a strong 120-run stand between Ben Duckett and Will Jacks kept the scoreboard ticking. However, the tide turned when Adam Zampa, playing his 100th ODI, broke the partnership by dismissing Jacks for 62.

This sparked a collapse, with England crumbling from 213/2 to 315 all out. Duckett’s well-crafted 95 went in vain as Australia’s spinners spun a web around England’s middle and lower order. Zampa (3/49) and Marnus Labuschagne (3/39) were the chief destroyers. Travis Head 2/34 and Matthew Short 1/68 also chipped in with crucial wickets.