No.4 in Wisden’s men’s ODI spell of 2023 is Mohammed Shami’s 4-22 in India’s win in a low-scoring clash against England in Lucknow. Sarah Waris looks back at the lion-hearted showing.
Wisden’s men’s ODI spell of 2023, No.4: Mohammed Shami – 4-22 (7)
India vs England
ODI World Cup, Match No.29
Ekana Stadium, Lucknow, October 29
That brief passage of play summed up Mohammad Shami’s genius. On a tricky wicket at the Ekana in Lucknow, bowling his first over after England were 30-2, he brought out his searing pace against Ben Stokes, who was struggling for runs in the World Cup. Having announced his decision to take back his ODI retirement for the event, Stokes would have been left questioning the move as he found himself at sea against a seamer who, till two games ago, was not even in India’s World Cup plans.
The first ball to Stokes was too short and went away from the left-handed Stokes, who left him alone. The next time, Stokes, desperate to hit his mark, danced the lane against a similar shot, but he was beaten when the ball went over the outside edge from the seam. When Stokes tried to cut a good length ball, Shami struck the bat again. After England’s quicks in their own half proved successful, bowlers insisted on their length. The last ball of Shami’s over hit the block of Stokes who tried to play it on his leg side.
After a frenetic start as England ran away with 30 for 0 off 24 balls, the crowd went silent as they needed 200 more to inflict India’s first World Cup defeat. Jasprit Bumrah’s two-in-two brought the decibel level back into the game against India, and when Shami came to bowl, he was cheered by 46,000 fans and the fans united toah I prepared a perfect flight.
The fifth ball from Shami to Stokes was easy and broke the defense, but on the sixth ball the frustrated batsman missed a long throw to middle. He made contact again on the next delivery, but he hit it into cover but missed the goal. Shami attacked relentlessly as another good length ball followed, which rolled slightly before being sucked into the net and beating Stokes with an outside edge. Stokes’ ninth ball was a fuller ball and hit the stumps. Stokes hit the only quiet shot of the day down the middle.
9 balls, all points. 4 missed shots, 2 missed attacks, and 1 goal.
The 10th ball Stokes faced was pitched around the wicket and Stokes created space in a desperate attempt to score England’s first score on the 15th toss. After the ball slipped through the seam, the three bars clattered and the entire stadium went wild. It was unbelievable that Shami did not feature in India’s first four World Cup matches.
In the next ball, Shami bowled Jonny Bairstow off the inside edge to leave England reeling at 39-4. With Dew defending the outfield, all England needed was a ripe innings. However, Shami’s seam and wrist position, stubbornness in sticking to the correct length, and the lateral movement he found did not give his rival an advantage.
Shami also dismissed Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid, setting up the latter for a ball that went diagonally into the goal after three balls. In the end, India cantered away and won easily. Shami had a record of 7-2-22-4 and just 13 innings was enough for him to become one of India’s best bowlers at the World Cup. It’s an honor he earned single-handedly during the tournament.
The innings started early with a typical Bumrah masterclass but ended with Shami’s name. Shami, who has been equally instrumental in India’s Test revival since 2018, has often been overshadowed by Bumrah over the years, reduced to just a bowler leading an attack led by a magician who made his debut three years after him. During Lucknow and later the World Cup, he emerged as a leader in his own right, leading a belated but deservedShamiiii, Chamiiiithong, struggling through injuries and personal tragedies. A tribute to India’s cricketing heroes. , to get to where he is.
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