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.
- Ashes 2005: Complete coverage
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 |
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