Follow UsSonny Baker had a nightmare of an ODI debut against South Africa on September 2 (Tuesday) in Leeds. The 22-year-old pacer took a beating from the Proteas batters as he conceded 76 runs in seven overs at an economy of 10.85 without taking a single wicket. These figures made him the most expensive England bowler on ODI debut.
Even though the start has been a rough one for the youngster, he can surely learn from other cricketers who have had similar starts, where they have thrashed on the first day and have managed to come back strong and shape up a decent ODI career.
Here are three notable bowlers in recent years who had a horrible ODI debut
0/76 vs Australia, Adelaide, 2019
Mohammed Siraj had a tough time adjusting to international cricket. The Hyderabad pacer got his ODI cap against Australia at Adelaide in January 2019. Coming in as a first-change bowler, Siraj was hammered by the likes of Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell and others. He conceded 12 fours, finishing his spell at 0/76.
This performance was so bad that Siraj was not considered for ODIs for the next three years. He returned to the ODI format in February 2022 during the West Indies ODI series. Post his return, he became India’s No.1 bowler as he bowled many match-winning spells like the 6-fer he got in the final of the Asia Cup 2023 and was the primary pacer for the team in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami.
He currently has 71 wickets for Team India in 43 innings at an average of 24.04, which is the third best among Indian bowlers with 50+ ODI wickets.
1/72 vs England, Southampton, 2017
Keshav Maharaj did not have the best of debuts in ODIs for South Africa. Debuting against England in Southampton, Maharaj got thrashed to the cleaners by Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Eoin Morgan as he finished his spell with the figures of 1/72, which was the most expensive figures for South Africa on debut at that point in time.
After the debut to forget, Maharaj stepped up in the very next game, taking 3/25 at Lord’s, playing a huge role in South Africa beating England in that game. Since then, he has taken 68 wickets in 51 innings at an average of 29.97. He, along with Ravi Shastr,i make a rare list of being the only two left-arm spinners to take a five-wicket haul against Australia in Australia.
1/73 vs Australia, Sydney, 2016
Lockie Ferguson is one of the quickest bowlers to play international cricket in the last 10 years. The express pacer had a horror start to his international career as the Australian batters in Steve Smith, Travis Head, and others smashed him for 73 runs in nine overs at an economy of 8.11. He conceded eight fours and one six.
Despite going for runs on his debut, the Kiwi management backed the Auckland fast bowler for his raw pace. This eventually turned out to be good as Ferguson was New Zealand’s enforcer in the middle overs until the 2023 World Cup. He picked up 99 wickets in 64 innings at an average of 31.5, which is decent for an express fast bowler.