Top Spells in 2015

20 March 2015 - Wahab Riaz vs Australia (ODIs)

One went past the outside edge, the other past the stumps; one ducked away, the other hit the handle. One fell short of the fielder, the other dropped by him. It was once-in-a-lifetime spell of fast bowling by Wahab Riaz. Shane Watson, who was at the receiving end of the hostility had no clue how to deal with the leather that had turned into a hand-grenade for a brief while. The fact that he could survive the vicious spell was the best that he could do. The eventual bowling figures might not tell the full story. But not many cricket experts can recollect having seen a more lethal spell of fast bowling.

15 August 2015 - Rangana Herath vs India (Test)

On India's Independence Day, Rangana Herath ran through the Indian batting line-up. A match that was well in India's control for the first three days, turned on its head on the fourth. The left-arm spinner returned with figures of 7-48 as India failed to chase down a modest total of 176 runs.

26 June 2015 - Yasir Shah vs Sri Lanka (Test)

Yasir Shah made a match out what seemed like an encounter heading for a dull draw. It had taken more than three and a half days for the first two innings of the match to get over. However, Yasir Shah with figures of 7-76 bundled out Sri Lanka for 206 in the second innings, to help Pakistan register a comfortable win

17 October 2015 - Adil Rashid vs Pakistan Abu Dhabi (Test)

The second innings of the match was declared on the fifth day. With over 1,100 runs scored in the two innings, a result seemed out of sight. Adil Rashid, who had just returned with the worst bowling figures by a bowler on debut innings, seemed the least likeliest to make an impact. But the leg-spinner turned the course of the match with his 18.5 over spell of 5-64. Pakistan were bowled out for 173. England had to chase down 99 runs to win off 18 overs. However, bad light stopped play earlier and the match eventually ended in a draw.

7 August 2015 - Stuart Broad vs Australia at Trent Bridge (Test)

Taking advantage of swinging conditions, Stuart Broad ran through the Australian batting line-up to return with figures of 8-16, the best-ever in Ashes since Jim Laker's historic effort at Manchester in 1956. Australia were bowled out in just 111 balls, the shortest first innings ever in Test cricket. It was also the best bowling figures of 2015.

28 February 2015 - Mitchell Starc vs New Zealand (ODI)

This one came in a losing cause. But the spell of 6-28, that had pace, swing and accuracy, helped reduce New Zealand from 78-1 to 146-9. Starc's spell helped Australia snatch victory from a position where a massive defeat was staring them in the face.

21 June 2015 - Mustafizur Rahman vs India (ODI)

The left-arm seamer burst into into international cricket with back-to-back fifers against India to lead Bangladesh to their maiden series win against the neighbours. On his debut, he returned with figures of 5-50 and followed it up with 6-43 in the next match. His off-cutters had the Indian batsmen in a lot of trouble. He followed up the effort with good performances against South Africa and Zimbabwe as well, staking his claim of being one of the finds of the year.

25 October 2015 - Kagiso Rabada vs Bangladesh (ODI)

Much like Mustafizur Rahman, Kagiso Rabada too made his debut with a fifer. Even as it came against Bangladesh, it was the only match in the series that was won by the Proteas. The right-arm pacer returned with figures of 6-16 to announce himself on the international scene.

14 January 2015 - David Wiese vs West Indies (T20I)

Coming into a do-or-die encounter, West Indies got off to a flying start in the chase of 196 runs, before Wiese was introduced into the attack. He finished his four-over spell with figures of 5-23 to take South Africa to a comprehensive victory.

20 February 2015 - Tim Southee vs England (ODI)

In seaming conditions, Tim Southee took complete control of the game and had the English batsmen on the mat. He ran through them and snared seven wickets for 33 runs as England were bowled out for 123 runs.