Australia spinner Adam Zampa overtook former pacer Nathan Bracken to become Australia’s eighth-highest wicket-taker in ODIs on Saturday. Zampa made this upward movement in the charts during the fourth ODI against England at Lord’s. In the match, Zampa was somewhat the only positive for Australian bowling, taking two wickets for 66 runs in eight overs at an ecomomy rate of 8.25. He got crucial wickets of half-centurions Ben Duckett and Harry Brook.

Now, in 102 ODIs since his debut in 2016, Zampa has taken 175 wickets at an average of 27.99, with best figures of 5/35. He has 11 four-wicket hauls and a five-wicket haul in ODIs.

On the other hand, Bracken, a prominent Aussie pacer from 2001-09, once ranked number one in 50-over format, took 174 wickets in 116 ODIs at an average of 24.36, with best figures of 5/47. He took five 4-wicket hauls and two five-wicket hauls in ODIs.

Pace legends Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee (380 wickets each) are joint-highest wicket-takers in ODIs for Aussies.

Coming to the match, Australia won the toss and opted to field first.

England started off with a fine 48-run opening stand between Phil Salt (22 in 27 balls, with three fours) and Ben Duckett. After a brief stumble, skipper Harry Brook recorded a 79-run partnership with Duckett (63 in 62 balls, with six fours and a six) and a 75-run partnership with Jamie Smith (39 in 28 balls, with a four and two sixes). Brook missed out on a well-deserved second-successive ODI ton, scoring 87 in 58 balls, with 11 fours and a six.

Liam Livingstone (62* in 27 balls, with three fours and seven sixes) provided some brilliant finishing touches, smashing Mitchell Starc for 28 runs as England scored 312/5 in their 39 overs.

Adam Zampa (2/66) was the pick of the bowlers. Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, and Josh Hazlewood got a wicket each.

In the run-chase, openers Travis Head (34 in 23 balls, with four boundaries and two sixes) and skipper Marsh (28 in 34 balls, with two fours and a six) provided a fine start with a 68-run stand. However, after their partnership was broken, it was all downhill for Australia, who was skittled out for 126 in 24.4 overs, thanks to brilliant spells from Matthew Potts (4/38) and Brydon Carse (3/36). England levelled the five-match series 2-2 with a 186-run win.

Brook secured the ‘Player of the Match’ award.

Following their retirements, former cricketers commonly tend to pursue a career in punditry. While some appear on television on a regular basis to share their views on various matches, others have taken a different route through social media, mainly appearing on YouTube to comment on different topics. However, the same is not the case with former Australian pacer Nathan Bracken, who was once the top-ranked bowler in One-Day Internationals. Bracken, who retired from cricket in 2011, has made a surprise career transition, and is now working as an account manager in Kiar, New South Wales, Australia.

The 47-year-old, who topped the ICC ODI rankings in 2008, also briefly ventured into politics, contesting as a Liberal candidate for The Entrance electorate in 2023.

For the unversed, Bracken also declined to play in the Indian Premier League despite entering the players’ auction.

In 2011, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) bought him for Rs 1.3 crore. However, Bracken rejected the chance to play for RCB, before leaving cricket the same year.

During a chat in 2018, legendary India batter Sachin Tendulkar revealed that his former teammate Virender Sehwag didn’t like facing Bracken.

After his retirement, Bracken had accused Cricket Australia (CA) for ending his career.

In 2012, Bracken sued the governing body and three of its medical professionals claiming they failed to “investigate, diagnose and treat” his right knee injury suffered the day before an ODI against England in 2007.

“Lawyers for Cricket Australia and their doctors and physio are defending the allegations. The case, yet to go to hearing, was mentioned in the Supreme Court. Bracken was ordered to declare the size of damages he wants Cricket Australia to pay by February 22 and provide more details of his injuries,” the paper stated.