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Lee's dubious distinction

August 05, 2005 19:18 IST

Brett Lee, arguably the fastest bowler on the planet, was smashed all around the park on the opening day of Birmingham Test. His figures of 17-1-111-1 are the third most expensive by an Australian bowler, bowling at least 10 overs in an innings.

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Interestingly Lee has now suffered the ignominy of recording an economic rate of 100 (runs conceded per 100 balls) on three occasions (see table).

No other bowler in Test history has suffered this fate. Lee was earlier at level with South Africa's Charles Llewellyn and England's Bob Willis with two such instances.

Worst economic rates in an innings for Australia [Min.10 overs]

ER Bowler Opp Inns Test Venue Season Balls Runs Wkts
112.82 WW Armstrong SA 1st 1st Johannesburg 1902-03 78 88 0
111.11 GHS Trott Eng 1st 3rd Adelaide 1891-92 72 80 1
108.82 B Lee Eng 1st 2nd Birmingham 2005 102 111 1
101.52 B Lee Ind 2nd 3rd Sydney 1999-00 66 67 2
101.35 B Lee Ind 2nd 4th Sydney 2003-04 74 75 0
100.00 CJ McDermott WI 2nd 4th Adelaide 1992-93 66 66 3

Rajneesh Gupta