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The Hundred has been a format that has received mixed reviews even in the fourth year of its running. While the format has its positives and negatives, it has certainly showcased the sport differently, and innovation should never be crucified irrespective of how it pans out.
With the competition being in England, the conditions have been appealing to the bowlers right from the word go. The ongoing edition particularly has witnessed the maximum swing out of all editions, and that has led to some memorable opening spells so far.
As a result, although the spinners have marked their presence in the competition, it is no surprise that some of the most memorable bowling displays when it comes to impact have been delivered by the pacers.
On that note, let us take a look at the top 5 best bowling figures in the Men's Hundred.
#1 Calvin Harrison (5-11; Manchester Originals vs Northern Superchargers, 2023, Old Trafford)
The leg-spinner is the sole tweaker on the list. Ever since he joined the Manchester Originals as a replacement player ahead of the maiden season, he has been a valuable addition.
His effort against the Northern Superchargers in the Northern Derby clash in the 2023 edition is the best figure ever recorded in the competition. He picked up a five-wicket haul while conceding only 11 runs, as the visitors were bundled out for 83 runs while attempting to chase 165.
The spinner's task was cut short as the pacers picked up three wickets inside the powerplay. He dismissed Matthew Short initially and then proceeded to dismantle the lower order to wrap up the game for his side.
#2 Tim Southee (5-12; Birmingham Phoenix vs Trent Rockets, 2024, Edgbaston)
The New Zealand veteran's value may have dipped over the years with age across the major T20 leagues, but he has been thriving in the 2024 Hundred season for the Birmingham Phoenix. The pacer recently made the headlines after dismissing Ben Stokes for a golden duck, and he proceeded to follow it up with one of the most memorable spells in the competition's history.
Southee stepped up in a crunch encounter against the Trent Rockets in Edgbaston by wreaking havoc with the new ball. He dismissed three of the top four in the batting lineup, including Joe Root, and then returned in the death to clean up the tail and finish with figures of 5-12.
#3 Josh Little (5-13; Manchester Originals vs Oval Invincibles, 2022, Old Trafford)
The Irish left-arm seamer is a menacing bowler to face when the ball moves around, and he produced one of the finest spells of his career against the Oval Invincibles in the 2022 edition.
He dismissed Jordan Cox and Will Jacks in quick succession early on in the innings, and then removed opposition skipper Sam Billings at a crucial juncture. The pacer then wrapped up his spell with twin dismissals in his final set to complete a memorable five-wicket haul.
#4 Sam Curran (5-16; Oval Invincibles vs London Spirit, 2024; Lord's)
The England all-rounder is having a campaign to remember with both bat and ball so far, highlighting the Oval Invincibles' dominance. One of his highest moments in the competition came during the London Derby, where he finished with a five-wicket haul that included a hat-trick.
Defending 148, Adam Zampa had provided an excellent platform for the visitors after picking up three crucial wickets. Sam Curran then began adding the final touches, first by dismissing Matt Critchley. He then took the wickets of Liam Dawson, Andre Russell, and Olly Stone to become only the third player to claim a hat-trick in the competition.
He also trapped Daniel Worrall in front to finish the match and end with a five-wicket haul as well.
#5 Marchant de Lange (5-20; Trent Rockets vs Southern Brave, 2021, Trent Bridge)
The South African speedster became the first player to pick up a five-wicket haul in The Hundred by attaining the feat in the third match of the inaugural edition itself.
He took the crucial wicket of Devon Conway to kick things off and took two wickets in his next set to unsettle the Southern Brave and then followed it up with the dismissals of Chris Jordan and George Carton to help Trent Rockets restrict the opposition to 126-8.
