Big Bash League : 3 instances of ‘five-wicket’ hauls: 3 instances of ‘five-wicket’ hauls : A ‘five-wicket’ haul in an innings is equal to a century scored by a batsman. The feat achieves greater importance if it comes in a T20 game, as much as a century does.
There have been three occasions when a bowler has gone on to pick up five or more wickets in a game in the Big Bash League, Australian equivalent of IPL.
• Lasith Malinga 6/7 in 2012
The most successful ‘death over’ bowler, Sri Lankan, Lasith Malinga picked up the first ever five-wicket haul in a Big Bash game. Playing for Melbourne Stars in the encounter against Perth Scorchers, on 12th December, 2012, at WACA Perth, Malinga achieved this feat.
Melbourne Stars won the toss and elected to field. Malinga, opening the bowling attack, alongwith James Faulkner, kept the pressure on the Scorchers batsmen, who could never put up any useful partnership. Only Adam Voges (14) and Hilton Cartwright (17) could reach the double digit score. ‘Extras’ with 11 runs had the third highest tally.
Succumbing to the pace pressure, Scorchers ended their innings with just 69 runs in 15.2 overs. While Faulkner accounted for 2 wickets, giving away 16 runs in his 4-over spell, Maliga accounted for Marcus North (1), Marcus Stoinis (9), Hilton Cartwright (17), wicket-keeper Tom Triffit (4) and Coulter-Nile (0).
Malinga returned with a brilliant analysis of 4-1-7-6 and was awarded the Player of the Match.
