England’s white-ball cricket has traditionally been associated with aggressive batting and seam bowling, but the team’s spinners have also produced several memorable performances over the years. From disciplined off-spin to attacking leg-spin, England’s slow bowlers have occasionally turned matches on their head with outstanding spells.
The latest addition to that list came on September 22, when Will Jacks delivered a stunning five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka at Chester-le-Street. His remarkable figures of 5/22 saw him dismantle the Sri Lankan batting order and enter the record books as the bowler with the second-best figures by an England spinner in ODI cricket.
Jacks’ performance has once again highlighted some of England’s finest spin-bowling displays in the 50-over format. Let’s have a look at some of the best performances in ODIs by English spin bowlers.
5 England spinners with best bowling figures in a ODI innings
1. Vic Marks – 5/20 vs New Zealand, 1984
The best ODI bowling figures by an England spinner continue to belong to Vic Marks, who produced a remarkable spell against New Zealand in Wellington on February 22, 1984.
Marks operated with exceptional accuracy throughout his 10-over spell, constantly troubling the New Zealand batters with his variations and controlled off-spin. He finished with outstanding figures of 5/20, a performance that combined discipline with effective wicket-taking.
Despite the considerable evolution of limited-overs cricket over the decades, Marks’ figures have remained untouched at the top of England’s spin-bowling charts.
2. Will Jacks – 5/22 vs Sri Lanka, 2026
More than four decades after Marks’ record-setting performance, Jacks produced a spell that pushed him into second place on the prestigious list.
Playing against Sri Lanka at Chester-le-Street on September 22, 2026, Jacks showcased excellent control and variation to finish with figures of 5/22. His ability to change his pace and extract turn made life extremely difficult for the Sri Lankan batters.
Although he narrowly missed out on surpassing Marks, Jacks’ five-wicket haul represents one of the standout spin performances by an England bowler in recent ODI history. The performance also underlined his growing value as a genuine all-rounder. While Jacks has already established himself as an aggressive batter, his effectiveness with the ball gives England another tactical option in the middle overs.
3. Adil Rashid – 5/27 vs Ireland, 2017
Adil Rashid has been one of England’s most dependable limited-overs spinners in the modern era, and his place on this list comes courtesy of a memorable spell against Ireland. On May 5, 2017, Rashid produced figures of 5/27 in Bristol. The leg-spinner used his variations effectively, combining his traditional leg-breaks with deceptive googlies to keep the Irish batting lineup under constant pressure.
Rashid’s ability to attack wickets rather than simply contain runs has made him an important part of England’s white-ball bowling attack. His five-wicket haul remains one of the finest ODI performances by an English spinner.
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4. Graeme Swann – 5/28 vs Australia, 2009
Former England off-spinner Graeme Swann also features prominently on the list after producing a superb performance against Australia on September 20, 2009. Interestingly, Swann achieved his 5/28 at Chester-le-Street, the same venue where Jacks would later deliver his own five-wicket haul years later.
Swann’s ability to generate drift and turn made him particularly difficult to attack. Against a strong Australian batting lineup, he maintained pressure throughout his spell and repeatedly found ways to break partnerships. The performance remains one of the most notable ODI spells of Swann’s international career.
5. Graeme Hick – 5/33 vs Zimbabwe, 2000
Best remembered for his batting exploits, Graeme Hick also possessed useful off-spin that occasionally made a major impact for England. On January 30, 2000, Hick produced his best ODI bowling figures against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. He finished with 5/33, making effective use of the conditions to trouble the Zimbabwean batters.
Hick’s contribution with the ball demonstrated the value of having a batting all-rounder capable of providing breakthroughs when required. His five-wicket haul remains a notable entry in England’s ODI spin-bowling history.
Will Jacks adds his name to England’s spin legacy
Jacks’ latest performance adds another memorable chapter to England’s history of impactful spin bowling in ODIs. His 5/22 against Sri Lanka was not simply a five-wicket haul; it demonstrated his growing influence as a player capable of contributing in multiple departments.
Jacks has already made a name for himself through his aggressive approach with the bat, but his continued development as an off-spinner provides England with valuable flexibility. His ability to contribute with both disciplines can give the team additional options when managing bowling combinations and match situations.
With his latest five-wicket haul placing him second among England’s ODI spinners, Jacks has now joined an exclusive group of English slow bowlers who have produced match-defining spells on the international stage. For England, his emergence as a reliable spin option could prove increasingly significant as the team continues to build its white-ball setup.
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